After eight years at the helm of
Snap-on Tools Australia, Managing Director Barrie Young is set to travel to the USA to take up his new position as President of Sales and Franchising with Snap-on Tools North America and Canada.
Snap-on Incorporated is a $US2.5 billion corporation founded in 1920, and proudly holds the title of the world’s largest
independent tool company. Now responsible for a $US1.3 billion business and nearly 4,000 franchisees, Barrie is the first non-American to hold a presidential position within the company.
Barrie first joined Snap-on in the UK 27 years ago, where he successfully operated his Snap-on franchise before joining the company in the role of Field Manager. Working his way through the ranks, Barrie became a Sales Manager and then a Branch Manager before being appointed the National Sales Manager, a position he held for over 10 years. After completing his MBA in London, Barrie was offered the position of Managing Director of Snap-on Tools Australia and New Zealand, which he took up in 1999.
In the last eight years the Australia / New Zealand subsidiary has gone from strength to strength and has just been named by the Financial Review’s ‘Smart Investor’ magazine as one of the top seven franchise systems in Australia in terms of franchisee return on investment.
Whilst overseeing the development of the Australian subsidiary, Barrie was justifiably proud of being granted Australian citizenship and feels the wide brown land is now very much his home. Although relocating to the US as part of his new position, he intends to ultimately return to Australia at some time in the future.
When pressed for comment Barrie states that he is passionate about Snap-on as a global brand and a massively successful franchise system, as well as a manufacturer of legendary tools.
“Being passionate about what you do is something which is so common within Snap-on, be it with our franchisees or the Snap-on support team”, says Barrie. “Being your own boss is great, but there’s more to it. You have to love your work.”
18-Jul-2007