After three successful years at the Red Bull Technology Centre in Milton Keynes, Snap-on Industrial’s fourth annual INSIGHT event left the track behind to take to the skies at the Red Bull Hangar-7 in Salzburg, Austria.
Since launching in 2023, INSIGHT has become a highlight of the industry calendar; providing an opportunity for customers of the world-leading productivity solutions company to share feedback with its senior leaders, shape the next phase of product development, and enjoy an exclusive first look at new launches.
Moving from the UK to Europe for the first time made the event more accessible to Snap-on’s international partners, uniting experts from the worlds of aerospace and aviation, rail, military and defence, natural resources, manufacturing, and education for an unforgettable evening.
Snap-on recently announced a new partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to support the development of the RB17 hypercar, making Hangar-7 the natural choice for an event celebrating human ingenuity and technical excellence. Home to the Flying Bulls private aircraft collection and performance aviation fleet, the unique space blurs the boundaries between the arts and aviation.
Guests were invited to explore the engineering marvels on display while also taking part in interactive product demonstrations, networking with industry peers, and listening to an engaging panel discussion with Snap-on partner Stadler Rail.
Richard Packham, Director – UK & Europe for Snap-on Industrial, said: “In the last four years, INSIGHT has become the most highly-anticipated event of the year for our team and customers, and its expansion into Europe is a testament to its importance. Having the opportunity to present our new and existing product range and get real-time feedback is now a vital part of our product development process. No two customers are the same and it’s essential that we take the time to fully understand their individual needs to tailor our solutions to each use case.”
Tool Control
Snap-on’s acclaimed Level5 Tool Control series has expanded with the launch of the ATC Vortex, a fully configurable storage solution with light vending capability to hold a wide variety of industrial devices, tools, and equipment.
Showcased at INSIGHT 2026 alongside the ATC Box and ATC FlexHub, the ATC Vortex was developed based on customer needs and feedback gathered at previous INSIGHT events.
Its streamlined, modular dual tambour design ensures the most efficient possible use of space while providing users with round-the-clock access to calibrated and serialized tools.
A high-resolution 19” touchscreen display acts as the control panel and enables integration with L5 Connect for tracking and asset control. The display features visual representations of each item stored for ease of identification while the operating language can be customised by individual user for multilingual workforces.
To complement - and never compromise - customer workflows, the capacity of the ATC Vortex can be increased when combined with the ATC FlexHub, allowing teams to connect multiple frames while maintaining one access point. Combining the ATC FlexHub with the Vortex could give a combined capacity of over 1,100 items.
Hand & Power Tools
106 years ago, Joseph Johnson and William Seidermann launched what became Snap-on’s first tool collection: five handles and ten sockets. Today, the company’s high-quality hand tools continue to set industry standards with innovative features including the Instinct® screwdriver handle and Talon Grip™ pliers.
Guests at INSIGHT 2026 participated in a hands-on session where they could try each tool for themselves as well as being introduced to three new launches in the power tools category: the Nanoaxcess™ range and docking station, the Flex-Head Cordless Ratchet, and the Compact Impact Wrench.
The Nanoaxcess™ collection comprises a Screwdriver, In-Line Driver, Right Angle Driver, QC Right Angle Driver, QC In-Line Driver, and QC Screwdriver. Each lightweight and rechargeable tool is designed for use in compact spaces and when working with the soft materials often seen in the aviation and automotive industries.
The Nanoaxcess™ docking station can charge two tools simultaneously in less than 60 minutes when paired with a 100W USB PD Power Supply and 100W USB C cord. It is fitted with magnetic feet to ensure it remains stable and its integrated cord storage enhances safety by eliminating the risk of loose wires in the workspace.
Also engineered for use in areas where accessibility is a challenge, the Flex-Head Cordless Ratchet delivers +/- 30° of adjustable angle for a total flex of 60°.
The Compact Impact Wrench puts the user in complete control with three speed settings and an easy-to-operate toggle switch. It has a maximum fastening torque of 300 ft-lbs, a maximum breakaway torque of 450 ft-lbs, and is equipped with PWRtuned™ fastening technology.
Torque
The final demonstration of the evening saw the unveiling of ConnectSmart, a powerful new software solution. Engineered to meet the evolving needs of modern manufacturing environments, ConnectSmart allows Snap-on’s ControlTech™ Bluetooth® torque instruments to integrate seamlessly with manufacturing-level MES control systems to supply real-time data exchange, improved production oversight, and greater confidence in critical assembly processes.
Snap-on’s extensive torque range has a wrench for every requirement and budget, the torque collection includes ControlTech™ Bluetooth® Wireless Electronic Torque Wrenches, ControlTech™ Electronic Torque Wrenches, and the ControlTech+ ™ Electronic Torque Wrenches.
User error can be prevented with the integration of the ControlTech™ Link System, which can wirelessly link to up to 16 torque wrenches. Not only does this guarantee that every torque event is fully documented, but it can also restrict the use of each wrench by ensuring only predetermined presets and jobs are available to run.
Image credits: Snap-on Industrial UK & Europe
