Snap-on Announces Record Third Quarter 2008 Earnings

Diluted EPS of $0.94 increases 34.3% over $0.70 earned last year;

Sales increase of 2.5%;

Expects continued year-over-year earnings improvement for balance
of 2008
KENOSHA, Wis.--(Business Wire)--
Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE: SNA), a leading global innovator,
manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software
and service solutions for professional users, today announced
operating results for the third quarter of 2008.

"We are very encouraged by our third quarter results, especially
given the current global economic challenges," said Nick Pinchuk,
Snap-on's president and chief executive officer. "We continue to focus
on fortifying our already strong business models, pursuing geographic
and customer diversification, and driving our value creating
processes, including innovation and rapid continuous improvement.
These are the activities that have created the string of encouraging
results over the last few years and we're confident they will serve us
well going forward.

"The global economic challenges have made forecasting uncertain,"
said Pinchuk. "Snap-on, however, remains positive looking forward and
believes that continued execution of our core strategies will support
improved year-over-year earnings again in the fourth quarter. Finally,
as we report these results, it's clear that the progress would not be
possible without the dedication and support of our franchisees and
associates. I thank them for their extraordinary contributions."

Highlights of Snap-on's third quarter 2008 operating results are
as follows:

-- Net sales of $697.8 million increased $17.1 million, or 2.5%,
over prior year, including $12.1 million from currency
translation.

-- Gross profit improved to 44.7% of net sales in 2008 from 44.2%
in 2007; operating expenses improved to 33.0% of net sales in
2008 from 34.4% in 2007.

-- Operating earnings of $86.4 million increased 19.3%, or $14.0
million, over prior year; currency translation contributed
$0.3 million of the increase. As a percentage of revenues,
operating earnings improved to 12.1% in 2008 from 10.4% in
2007. For the nine months ended September 27, 2008, operating
earnings improved to 13.0% of revenues, as compared to 10.7%
in the year-ago period.

-- Net earnings of $54.6 million increased 32.8% from $41.1
million in 2007; diluted earnings of $0.94 per share increased
34.3% from $0.70 per diluted share in 2007.

-- For the twelve month period ended September 2008, pretax
return on invested capital was 22.0% as compared to 18.4% for
the comparable 2007 period. Pretax return on invested capital
is defined as earnings before interest and taxes divided by
the quarter-end average of shareholders' equity and net debt.

Commercial & Industrial Group segment sales of $338.1 million were
up $10.2 million, or 3.1%, from prior year. Excluding $12.4 million of
currency translation, sales declined $2.2 million year over year as
continued growth in emerging markets, contributions from increased
sales of power tools, higher sales of tools, kits and tool storage
products to industrial customers, and continuing strong sales in our
innovative, imaging aligner units were more than offset by lower sales
of professional tools in Europe and by sales declines in other wheel
service equipment worldwide.

Operating earnings of $40.7 million increased $8.0 million, or
24.5%, from prior year as contributions from higher pricing and
savings from ongoing Rapid Continuous Improvement (RCI) initiatives
were partially offset by the lower level of organic sales and
commodity cost increases. As a percentage of sales, operating earnings
in the quarter improved to 12.0%, as compared with 10.0% a year ago.

Snap-on Tools Group segment sales of $269.5 million increased $7.5
million, or 2.9%, from prior-year levels; currency translation
contributed $0.4 million of the sales increase. Higher year-over-year
sales in the company's international franchise operations were
partially offset by a 0.3% decline in U.S. sales.

Operating earnings of $28.2 million were up $3.6 million from
prior-year levels. Contributing to this increase were higher
international sales, benefits from RCI initiatives and lower
franchisee termination costs in the United States. These increases
were partially offset by the impacts of a less favorable sales mix and
$5.0 million of higher material and freight costs. As a percentage of
sales, operating earnings in the quarter improved to 10.5%, as
compared with 9.4% a year ago.

Diagnostics & Information Group segment sales of $155.1 million
were up $3.1 million from prior-year levels primarily due to higher
OEM program sales as a result of a new essential tool program in North
America, increased sales of diagnostics products in Europe and higher
sales of Mitchell1(TM) information products. These sales increases
were partially offset by lower sales of diagnostics products in the
United States and by lower sales at Snap-on Business Solutions,
including expected lower sales from the planned exit of certain
non-core product lines.

Operating earnings of $27.2 million were up $5.0 million from
prior-year levels primarily due to benefits from RCI initiatives and
contributions from the higher sales. As a percentage of sales,
operating earnings in the quarter improved to 17.5%, as compared with
14.6% a year ago.

Financial Services operating income was $4.8 million on $18.0
million of revenue, as compared with $5.6 million of operating income
on $15.8 million of revenue a year ago. Contributions from higher
revenues in 2008, primarily as a result of lower market discount
rates, were more than offset by higher year-over-year operating
expenses, including $1.4 million of one-time, project-related costs.

Outlook

Snap-on intends to continue investing in its strategic growth
initiatives aimed at expanding value provided to its traditional
customers, penetrating new and adjacent segments, and extending its
presence in the emerging markets of Asia/Pacific and Eastern Europe.
Snap-on also expects to continue implementing its RCI and low-cost
sourcing initiatives intended to provide higher levels of
profitability.

Based on current expectations, and subject to the risks and other
factors discussed elsewhere in this release, Snap-on expects that its
earnings for the balance of 2008 will continue to exceed 2007 levels.
Snap-on incurred $8.0 million of restructuring costs in the first nine
months of 2008 and expects full year 2008 restructuring costs to be in
a range of $12 million to $14 million, down from its previous estimate
of $13 million to $16 million. Snap-on anticipates that its full year
effective income tax rate on earnings before equity earnings and
minority interests will approximate 33.3% in 2008.

Conference Call and Webcast October 23, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. Central
Time

A discussion of this release will be webcast on Thursday, October
23, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, and a replay will be available
for at least 10 days following the call. To access the webcast, visit
www.snapon.com, click on Snap-on Corporate and then click on the link
for the webcast. Additional detail about Snap-on is also available on
the Snap-on Web site.

About Snap-on

Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer
and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service
solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand
and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and
management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle
dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry,
government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and
services are sold through the company's franchisee, company-direct,
distributor and Internet channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.8
billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Forward-looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts,
including statements that (i) are in the future tense; (ii) include
the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "approximates," or
similar words that reference Snap-on or its management; (iii) are
specifically identified as forward-looking; or (iv) describe Snap-on's
or management's future outlook, plans, estimates, objectives or goals,
are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Snap-on cautions the reader
that this news release contains statements, including earnings
projections, that are forward-looking in nature and were developed by
management in good faith and, accordingly, are subject to risks and
uncertainties regarding Snap-on's expected results that could cause
(and in some cases have caused) actual results to differ materially
from those described or contemplated in any forward-looking statement.
Factors that may cause the company's actual results to differ
materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements
include those found in the company's reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including the information under the "Safe
Harbor" and "Risk Factors" headings in its Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007, and under "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in its
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March
29, 2008, and June 28, 2008, which are incorporated herein by
reference, and the current instability in world credit and financial
markets. Snap-on disclaims any responsibility to update any
forward-looking statement provided in this news release, except as
required by law.

For additional information, please visit www.snapon.com.

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SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
----------------------- -----------------------
Sept. 27, Sept. 29, Sept. 27, Sept. 29,
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Net sales $697.8 $680.7 $2,185.5 $2,098.3
Cost of goods sold (385.6) (379.8) (1,200.9) (1,165.1)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 312.2 300.9 984.6 933.2
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Financial services
revenue 18.0 15.8 61.7 44.0
Financial services
expenses (13.2) (10.2) (33.3) (29.6)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating income from
financial services 4.8 5.6 28.4 14.4

Operating expenses (230.6) (234.1) (721.7) (719.1)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating earnings 86.4 72.4 291.3 228.5

Interest expense (6.8) (11.6) (25.1) (34.6)
Other income (expense)
- net 1.0 2.6 3.3 5.9
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Earnings before income
taxes, equity
earnings and minority
interests 80.6 63.4 269.5 199.8
Income tax expense (26.8) (21.6) (89.6) (66.2)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Earnings before equity
earnings and minority
interests 53.8 41.8 179.9 133.6
Equity earnings, net
of tax and minority
interests 0.8 (0.7) (1.8) (1.7)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net earnings from
continuing operations 54.6 41.1 178.1 131.9
Discontinued
operations, net of
tax - - - (8.0)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net earnings $54.6 $41.1 $178.1 $123.9
=========== =========== =========== ===========

Basic earnings per
common share:
Earnings from
continuing
operations $0.95 $0.71 $3.10 $2.28
Loss from
discontinued
operations - - - (0.14)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net earnings per
share $0.95 $0.71 $3.10 $2.14
=========== =========== =========== ===========

Diluted earnings per
common share:
Earnings from
continuing
operations $0.94 $0.70 $3.06 $2.25
Loss from
discontinued
operations - - - (0.14)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net earnings per
share $0.94 $0.70 $3.06 $2.11
=========== =========== =========== ===========

Weighted-average
shares outstanding:
Basic 57.5 57.7 57.5 58.0
Effect of dilutive
options 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Diluted 58.2 58.4 58.2 58.7
=========== =========== =========== ===========
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SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
Supplemental Segment Information
(Amounts in millions)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
----------------------- -----------------------
Sept. 27, Sept. 29, Sept. 27, Sept. 29,
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Net sales:
Commercial &
Industrial Group $338.1 $327.9 $1,082.5 $981.3
Snap-on Tools Group 269.5 262.0 851.6 834.5
Diagnostics &
Information Group 155.1 152.0 474.9 481.1
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Segment net sales 762.7 741.9 2,409.0 2,296.9
Intersegment
eliminations (64.9) (61.2) (223.5) (198.6)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total net sales $697.8 $680.7 $2,185.5 $2,098.3
Financial Services
revenue 18.0 15.8 61.7 44.0
----------- ----------- -----------------------
Total revenues $715.8 $696.5 $2,247.2 $2,142.3
=========== =========== =======================

Operating earnings:
Commercial &
Industrial Group $40.7 $32.7 $128.2 $93.3
Snap-on Tools Group 28.2 24.6 97.9 88.6
Diagnostics &
Information Group 27.2 22.2 78.6 72.1
Financial Services 4.8 5.6 28.4 14.4
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Segment operating
earnings 100.9 85.1 333.1 268.4
Corporate (14.5) (12.7) (41.8) (39.9)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating earnings $86.4 $72.4 $291.3 $228.5
Interest expense (6.8) (11.6) (25.1) (34.6)
Other income (expense)
- net 1.0 2.6 3.3 5.9
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Earnings before income
taxes, equity
earnings and minority
interests $80.6 $63.4 $269.5 $199.8
=========== =========== =========== ===========
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SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in millions)
(unaudited)

Sept. 27, Dec. 29,
2008 2007
----------- -----------

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $118.3 $93.0
Accounts receivable - net of allowances 606.2 586.9
Inventories 388.0 322.4
Deferred income tax assets 78.9 87.0
Prepaid expenses and other assets 90.1 98.1
----------- -----------
Total current assets 1,281.5 1,187.4

Property and equipment - net 326.1 304.8
Deferred income tax assets 10.8 22.0
Goodwill 828.5 818.8
Other intangibles - net 231.9 234.8
Pension assets 54.6 57.0
Other assets 146.1 140.3
----------- -----------
Total Assets $2,879.5 $2,765.1
=========== ===========

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Accounts payable $171.7 $171.6
Notes payable and current maturities of
long-term debt 15.3 15.9
Accrued benefits 42.6 41.3
Accrued compensation 89.4 95.6
Franchisee deposits 48.2 51.0
Deferred subscription revenue 23.6 25.9
Income taxes 32.5 25.5
Other accrued liabilities 232.5 212.4
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 655.8 639.2

Long-term debt 500.6 502.0
Deferred income tax liabilities 93.8 91.2
Retiree health care benefits 51.0 53.8
Pension liabilities 83.3 85.3
Other long-term liabilities 114.8 113.5
----------- -----------
Total Liabilities 1,499.3 1,485.0
----------- -----------

Shareholders' Equity
Common stock 67.2 67.1
Additional paid-in capital 152.3 137.9
Retained earnings 1,422.5 1,296.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) 131.7 142.8
Treasury stock at cost (393.5) (364.4)
----------- -----------
Total Shareholders' Equity 1,380.2 1,280.1
----------- -----------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $2,879.5 $2,765.1
=========== ===========
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SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
(Amounts in millions)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
-----------------------
Sept. 27, Sept. 29,
2008 2007
----------- -----------

Operating activities
Net earnings $54.6 $41.1
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation 12.2 12.2
Amortization of other intangibles 6.3 4.3
Stock-based compensation expense 3.9 4.9
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation (0.3) (0.5)
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision 6.9 (4.8)
Gain on sale of assets - (2.4)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
net of effects of acquisitions:
(Increase) decrease in receivables (7.7) 7.5
(Increase) decrease in inventories (23.0) 2.1
(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other
assets (10.5) (5.7)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable (8.2) (19.5)
Increase (decrease) in accruals and other
liabilities (13.8) 20.2
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities 20.4 59.4

Investing activities
Capital expenditures (15.0) (15.6)
Acquisitions of businesses - net of cash
acquired - (1.0)
Proceeds from disposal of property and
equipment - 4.9
Other (0.4) 1.0
----------- -----------
Net cash used by investing activities (15.4) (10.7)

Financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in short-term
borrowings (6.6) 4.9
Purchase of treasury stock (3.5) (21.5)
Proceeds from stock purchase and option
plans 2.3 2.7
Cash dividends paid (17.4) (15.8)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation 0.3 0.5
Other (0.3) (0.2)
----------- -----------
Net cash used by financing activities (25.2) (29.4)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
cash equivalents (2.1) 1.3
----------- -----------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents (22.3) 20.6

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 140.6 72.0
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $118.3 $92.6
=========== ===========

Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Cash paid for interest $(11.6) $(16.2)
Net cash paid for income taxes (24.6) (23.1)
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SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
(Amounts in millions)
(unaudited)

Nine Months Ended
-----------------------
Sept. 27, Sept. 29,
2008 2007
----------- -----------

Operating activities
Net earnings $178.1 $123.9
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation 36.6 37.3
Amortization of other intangibles 18.4 13.0
Stock-based compensation expense 11.9 14.2
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation (5.7) (5.8)
Deferred income tax provision 23.3 -
Gain on sale of assets (0.1) (2.4)
Loss on mark to market for cash flow hedges - 0.1
Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
net of effects of acquisitions:
(Increase) decrease in receivables (21.2) 14.9
(Increase) decrease in inventories (62.5) 5.8
(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other
assets 3.5 0.1
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable (1.5) (16.1)
Increase (decrease) in accruals and other
liabilities (12.1) (8.1)
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities 168.7 176.9

Investing activities
Capital expenditures (48.3) (43.2)
Acquisitions of businesses - net of cash
acquired (13.8) (5.1)
Proceeds from disposal of property and
equipment 7.7 13.9
Other (5.5) (0.9)
----------- -----------
Net cash used by investing activities (59.9) (35.3)

Financing activities
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt - 298.5
Net decrease in short-term borrowings (7.3) (323.3)
Purchase of treasury stock (69.8) (85.8)
Proceeds from stock purchase and option
plans 41.3 38.1
Cash dividends paid (52.3) (47.4)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation 5.7 5.8
Other (0.7) (0.6)
----------- -----------
Net cash used by financing activities (83.1) (114.7)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
cash equivalents (0.4) 2.3
----------- -----------
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 25.3 29.2

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 93.0 63.4
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $118.3 $92.6
=========== ===========

Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Cash paid for interest $(30.0) $(32.1)
Net cash paid for income taxes (52.6) (33.8)
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Snap-on Incorporated
Investors:
Martin M. Ellen
262/656-6462
or
Media:
Richard Secor
262/656-5561

Copyright Business Wire 2008