OTC Tools Tools and Equipment

A Century of Innovation from the Owatonna Tool Company

OTC Tools — originally the Owatonna Tool Company — has been engineering professional-grade automotive tools since 1925. Founded in Owatonna, Minnesota, the company earned its reputation for innovation early: its founder's son, Rueben Kaplan, invented the Grip-O-Matic universal gear puller, a patented design so well-executed that it remains virtually unchanged nearly a century later. From those roots in a small Minnesota machine shop, OTC grew into one of the most recognized names in the automotive service industry.

In December 2012, OTC became part of the Bosch family, integrating into the Automotive Service Solutions Business Unit of the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Business Division. The partnership amplified OTC's already formidable capabilities, combining Bosch's global engineering resources with OTC's deep roots in professional shop tooling. Today, OTC operates as a major manufacturer and supplier of professional vehicle electronic diagnostic equipment, automotive fuel maintenance tools, and a wide range of servicing tools and equipment across multiple facilities.

What OTC Tools Makes

OTC's catalog spans an impressive breadth of professional shop needs. At the core of the brand is its lineup of diagnostic scan tools and supporting diagnostic software — equipment designed to take technicians from code to fix as efficiently as possible. As vehicles become increasingly computer-integrated, OTC's scan tools deliver broad vehicle coverage alongside the bidirectional controls and live data capabilities that modern repair demands.

Beyond diagnostics, OTC is equally well regarded for its heavy-duty shop jacks — including transmission jacks, powertrain lifts, stands, and cranes — that form the backbone of any well-equipped service bay. Alongside lifting equipment, OTC's utility dollies help technicians safely move vehicles, drivetrain components, and heavy assemblies around the shop with minimal effort. Rounding out the shop service lineup, OTC also produces A/C recycling service machines engineered to recover, recycle, and recharge refrigerant in compliance with SAE standards — essential equipment for any shop handling climate system repairs.

Built for the Professional Technician

Whether the job calls for reading a fault code on the latest model or safely supporting a heavy-duty drivetrain during a rebuild, OTC's product line is purpose-built for the demands of professional shop use. The brand's tools are designed with durability and precision in mind, and its association with Bosch continues to push the standard of what automotive service equipment can achieve. For seasoned technicians and shop owners alike, OTC Tools represents a century of trusted, all-American craftsmanship backed by world-class engineering.