Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.
About us
When good enough isn't enough
John Bean, an international brand of Wheel Service Equipment and a registered trade mark of Snap-on Inc, is sold and supported in South Africa by Snap-on Africa (Pty) Ltd through a dedicated group of Authorised John Bean® Equipment Dealers.
Pioneer in alignment technology
John Bean is one of the world's leading brands of garage equipment for garages, tyre shops and body repair service. Its roots date back to a retired inventor, John Bean.
- 1904John Bean founds the John Bean Spray Pump Company. It later merges with a nearby food machinery company to become the Food Machinery & Chemical Company (FMC).
- 1934John Bean engineers introduce the first dynamic wheel balancer.
- 1947The Visualiner is launched: the world's first optical wheel aligner, and quickly the industry standard.
- 1987The Signature Series model 9909 becomes the first alignment machine with built-in operator training systems.
- 1996Snap-on Corporation acquires FMC's automotive equipment division and renames it John Bean, honouring the original founder.
- 2008After pioneering 3D wheel aligners, John Bean is the first and only to launch wheel aligners with PRISM technology.
A long tradition of firsts
Since Snap-on acquired the company, John Bean has kept to its mission of developing innovative technologies. The 3D wheel aligners set new standards in accuracy, speed and user-friendliness.
FirstWheel aligner
FirstDynamic wheel balancer
FirstComputerised wheel aligner
FirstCordless measuring heads
FirstBuilt-in operator video training
FirstUse of colour monitors
FirstUse of CD ROM
FirstAnimated colour graphics
FirstPre-wired alignment lifts
FirstPreventative maintenance programming
First3D imaging for wheel aligners
FirstTrue 32 bit Windows alignment software
FirstWheel aligner in PRISM technology
2009 & 2010
Equipment Supplier of the Year. Snap-on Equipment was recognised for the second year running by TDAFA (Tyre Dealers and Fitment Association, affiliated to the RMI). It is testimony to the reliability of the John Bean™ brand and to the back-up service from Snap-on Equipment South Africa, with its distribution centre in Durban and its national network of Authorised John Bean® Equipment Dealers.
Your success is our goal
It is our mission to develop new technologies and offer innovative products to our customers, increasing their productivity and profitability.