'Mobile Tool Network can turn a 20' truck into a 50' truck'

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The mobile tool dealer industry has been in need of some disruption. Enter Cory Arnold and Mobile Tool Network who saw a gap in the industry between manufacturers and the tool trucks that are selling their products.

The first trend he noticed was that for flag trucks, the amount of tools they are selling outside their brand is growing. Second, the amount of independent trucks out there is more than ever before. But there was a gap in the software to manage this aspect of the business, Arnold found.

That’s where Mobile Tool Network comes in. Launched in August 2021, it’s a web app with the goal of making life easier for mobile tool dealers. The first component of the app is to help dealers track the inventory of the manufacturers they use.

“They can reach into the manufacturer’s inventory, see what’s available to sell, and when it will be there,” said Arnold, vice president of sales. “We wanted to bring some transparency to the supply chain and give access to newer tools faster.”

Some manufactures with tools available through Mobile Tool Network include Mayhew, Lang Tools, CTA, KNIPEX, and VIM Tools.

The program provides an enhanced customer experience as well because technicians and shop owners can log in to the web app for their tool truck, place an order for a tool, and receive a text message when it’s being shipped to them.

“They can see your entire tool truck’s offering and what’s in stock,” Arnold explained.

Tool dealers don’t need to physically stock the item on their truck either. By signing up with Mobile Tool Network, everything that’s in stock from its partnering manufacturers will be viewable by the customer, so they can order an item from Mobile Tool Network, for example, that was never even on their tool dealer’s truck. 

“Mobile Tool Network can turn a 20-foot truck into a 50 foot truck,” Arnold said. "This will give mobile tool dealers their first set of tools to combat lost revenue to online retailers."

It’s worth noting that Mobile Tool Network does not rebrand any tools. It wants the manufacturers that it partners with to own their brand and have success in their own right.

“By helping tool manufacturers build their brand, it fosters innovation,” Arnold explained.

It’s free for mobile tool dealers to join the network and as of press time, 94 trucks were members, both independent and flag dealers. 

“COVID and supply chain issues influenced rate of growth and forced tool trucks to find other avenues,” said Arnold.

Better customer service

The web app also allows tool dealers to send custom text messages to their entire customer base with one click, so they can notify them instantly about a new tool, flash sale, or even route delays.

Next in the pipeline for Mobile Tool Network is the “Tool Roll” that will be available on the web app when a customer logs in.

“It’s a visual representation of where the customer is at with their payments and how they’re working through their tool bill,” Arnold said. “This allows tool truck owners to quickly get through the conversation around a customer's tool bill and focus on selling tools.”

One feature tool dealers might appreciate is the “complete pricing control” model, meaning Mobile Tool Network does not control end-user pricing. The tool dealer buys it at wholesale price and then it’s up to them to determine how much they will charge their customers for that tool.

Arnold works very closely with mobile tool dealers to make sure the platform is meeting their needs, and so far, feedback from the dealers that have signed up has been overwhelmingly positive, he said.

“We’re adding to their business, getting more people on the truck, they’re offering tools at a better price and are adding overall value to their route," Arnold said. “The main goal of MTN is to give mobile tool dealers access to cutting edge technology that they can use to connect to their customers and manufacturers like never before. MTN is the first real software focused on the mobile tool distributor to enter the market."