Snap-on Inc., Kenosha, WI, manufacturer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service products for professional users, reported sales of $697.8 million for the third quarter of 2008, an increase of 17.1% over the prior year. Profit improved 32.8% to $54.6 million.
 
For the nine months ended Sept. 27, 2008, sales were $2.2 billion, an increase of 4.2% over the same period a year ago. Profit increased 43.7% to $178.1 million.
 
The Commercial &Industrial Group segment sales were $338.1 million, up 3.1% from the prior year. Excluding $12.4 million of currency translation, sales declined $2.2 million year-over-year as continued growth in emerging markets, contributions from increased sales of power tools, higher sales of tools, kits and tool storage products to industrial customers, and continuing strong sales in imaging aligner units were more than offset by lower sales of professional tools in Europe and by sales declines in other wheel service equipment worldwide.
 
Snap-on Tools Group segment sales of $269.5 million increased 2.9% from prior-year levels. Currency translation contributed $0.4 million of the sales increase. Higher year-over-year sales in the company's international franchise operations were partially offset by a 0.3% decline in U.S. sales.