KENOSHA, Wis. — Snap-on last week announced the official grand opening of the IdeaForge, a multimedia conference center located within the Innovation Works facility at the company’s Kenosha, Wis., campus. The opening was presided over by Snap-on Chairman and CEO Nick Pinchuk. It took place with the participation of more than 600 Snap-on associates and retirees, as well as state and local officials including U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan.

The IdeaForge, a 7,000-square-foot, 600 capacity facility, is the third component of the Snap-on Innovation Center. The Innovation Works, Snap-on Museum, and now, IdeaForge, will provide a vital resource for Snap-on’s entire global organization, according to the company.

“We chose the name for this place very carefully, because over many decades, just feet from this spot, Snap-on designs were forged into steel solutions for auto mechanics throughout America,” said Pinchuk. “In the future, we will be forging and communicating a wide variety of ideas that will make work easier for an even broader group of customers across multiple industries in workplaces all over the world.

“The Snap-on IdeaForge is a functioning example of our commitment to the continued development of industry-leading products, processes and technologies. We’re thrilled to share this opening with so many of those who helped build the strong company we enjoy today, as well as with many of those who have supported us over the decades.”

Snap-on says IdeaForge will help the company conceive new ideas and fashion them into products and services that will create value for all Snap-on stakeholders over many years to come. The venue has several defined areas, including the option to accommodate different size groups and events, all with world-class audio-visual capabilities.