A mechanic-turned-mobile-tool-retailer has scooped up a top award after just a year in business. A month after receiving his award, Max Klementsen reflects on his win as the Snap-on Tools New Franchisee of the Year 2025.

“It definitely felt good to feel all the hard work had paid off; we pushed hard,” he says.

He believes his relaxed, friendly approach has gone a long way to achieving his results.

“I’m the likeable fellow who wants to help out. My clients see me as someone providing solutions for their problems,” says Max.

It’s an approach that works. “I think I hold the record for numbers of purchases for a rookie franchisee!” he adds.

From mechanic to mobile retailer

Two years ago Max had been working for himself as a mechanic on the Gold Coast, mainly fixing performance vehicles and custom car building and knew all about the iconic tools brand through his local franchisee. 

“I was keen to get off the tools but stay within the trade, so Snap-on was a perfect fit,” Max says. 

In late 2023 he bought an existing route near his home town and relocated.

Making a tree change

“I was born and raised in Emerald and worked here when I left school. Now I’m back with my own business.”

As a mechanic, Max knew what it was like to be his own boss. But signing up to a Snap-on franchise took the business ownership experience to a whole new level.

It started with training. Like all new franchisees, Max travelled to Snap-on’s global training headquarters in Dallas, Texas, for a comprehensive 10-day training program. 

Building a business

Back in Australia, and with his fully kitted-out mobile tool retail truck, he spent three weeks on the road visiting prospective clients with his franchise development manager.

“Within the first two weeks I had sold everything on the truck! We were constantly getting in shipments. We made a lot of money; it was mind-blowing,” Max says.

The local sales development manager then spent a week helping him with managing the business.

“Snap-on is not just a great tools brand, the team helps you establish the business and then is there to offer guidance as you grow,” he says.

Setting up business for growth

Max knew from the start he would need assistants to help him operate the business efficiently, because of the size of the route.

The expansive Emerald area has a mix of big agricultural and mining clients, and Max drives about 1200km a week to service them. The distance means time is the biggest challenge, he says. 

So early on he employed two assistants to help with bookkeeping and restocking the truck.

Late in 2024 Max’s partner, Jade, left her banking job and joined him in the business as a sales assistant.

“Working together is going well; we can divide and conquer,” he says. 

Ready to scale

Max has built a team that sets him up to scale the business; now he is working on acquiring a separate warehouse for his trucks and stock.

The award-winning franchisee also has his sights set on ordering a second truck at the end of this year which will enable his trained assistant to work on his own. 

“There is plenty of potential; I’m not even scratching the surface,” he says. 

“I love the Snap-on business. It speaks for itself: it’s profitable and you have the flexibility to work as hard as you want to. I love it!” he says.