WSO vs SNA Comparison

Watsco is the largest heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration products distributor in North America. The company primarily operates in the United States (90% of revenue), with significant exposure in the Sun Belt states. Watsco also has operations in Canada (5% of sales) and Latin America (5% of sales). The company's customer base consists of more than 125,000 contractors that serve the replacement and new construction HVACR markets for residential and light commercial applications.

Snap-on is a manufacturer of premium tools, equipment, and diagnostics for professional technicians, primarily involved in the repair of passenger cars, but has expanded into other industrial applications. The company's legacy business is selling hand tools through franchisee-operated mobile vans to technicians who purchase the tools at their own expense. The company also operates a commercial and industrial business, focusing on repair facilities that serve other industries. The third segment, repair systems and information, targets auto OEMs and large dealerships more directly, also offering substantial diagnostic solutions to aid in repairs. The company's finance arm provides financing to franchisees to support their operations, as well as underwrites end-customer purchases.