Careful consideration of the options available led to Eurostar landing on Snap-on’s Automatic Tool Control boxes or ATCs for short. This user-friendly option would prove to be an intuitive solution for their end users, seamlessly integrating into the company’s existing systems.

It was the start of a partnership that has now lasted over a decade – a relationship that has evolved to become something far more than simply client and supplier – it has become a business partnership.

Eurostar installed its first Snap-on ATC in its bogie drop facility in 2014. A fact that Eurostar are very proud of as they became the first rail company globally to take on the Snap-on ATC system. The location was chosen as it is the harshest environment on site; the work is heavy and dirty, and temperatures can vary widely as the shed doors remain open throughout the duration of the work. It was the ideal setting to test proof of concept.

This successful initial trial led to three more ATCs being installed at ground-level in the main maintenance shed, catering for the introduction of the 374-fleet in 2015.

Four more were subsequently installed on the high-level gantries to provide tooling for roof-mounted equipment work on the new fleet and another ATC was installed outside the team leader’s office to house keys and rare tooling not found elsewhere. By the end of 2016, there were a total of nine ATCs in place at the depot.

Fast forward eight years and Eurostar now has 25 ATC boxes – a testament to the programme’s success, the expansion of the 374 fleet, and depot modifications. The company is now one of the largest adopters of the Snap-on Automated Tool Control system in the UK.

In fact, a 26th ATC will be introduced shortly and there have been discussions about implementing boxes throughout Europe so that all of Eurostar’s tool management can be managed through one piece of software: L5 Connect.

Eurostar has seen three main benefits since introducing the ATCs 10 years ago:

The depot had more than 20 engineering teams, each with a basic personal issue tool kit. They also had access to two team tool cages, both based in different locations within the 450-metre-long shed. Introducing ATCs allowed for greater tool availability at point of use, reducing the need for these team cages by 50% and ensuring any calibrated and specialist tooling is accessible from the ATCs 24/7.

With several teams working on a seven day on/seven day off shift pattern, the tools locked within these team cages were inaccessible for six months of the year. This was a waste of the company’s tool expenditure and meant that no two teams had the same tool inventory. Until the ATCs were introduced, no-one at Eurostar knew the exact contents of all the team tool cages.

ATCs have led to a behaviour shift within the team where individuals now rely less on personal and team tools and instead simply go to their nearest ATC box to get the tools they need.

This new way of working has saved a great deal of time, especially when carrying out repairs and unplanned interventions. Engineers can quickly grab a pressure druck or fluke from their nearest ATC rather than walk across the depot to reach their team cage.

Once installed, the ATC boxes only require the user to touch their company ID pass against the card reader and the toolbox automatically accesses the users account and unlocks the box. This convenience has been universally acclaimed by end users at Eurostar.

Every tool owned by the company can now be tracked via L5 Connect. This software immediately records when a tool is removed from the ATC to use, for calibration, or to be repaired. Broken down tools can also be highlighted by making a replacement or repair request through the box’s touchscreen. This innovative system has been praised by independent auditors coming in to assess Eurostar’s tool tracking and management.

When L5 Connect was introduced, the Snap-on team worked closely with the Eurostar IT team to ensure the rollout could be implemented without any issues. The two teams connected twice a week without fail – and continue to do so now that L5 Connect software is in place.

Scott Seacombe, Industrial Engineer, and ATC Project Manager, said: “The ATC software is an absolute gem, it’s amazing how useful keeping accurate transaction history for tools can be, and the images generated from each drawer open, and drawer close can be extremely helpful.”

The partnership between Eurostar and Snap-on has become truly collaborative over the years. Eurostar comes to Snap-on with its most pressing problems and the team works to find solutions, whether it’s designing a custom tool or introducing new products like shopping trolleys to meet Eurostar’s specific needs.

The relationship’s longevity serves as proof that the investment in ATCs has led to tangible results for Eurostar. Each new iteration of the ATC boxes – currently Generation 4 – have eliminated any issues the team may have experienced, and the Snap-on account management team has been fully integrated with the entire Eurostar engineering team at every level, from management to the engineers on the ground.

It’s a reciprocal relationship that brings out the best in both partners – and is set to continue to go from strength to strength as Eurostar grows and Snap-on’s tool management systems evolve over time. Here’s to the next decade.