increased 8.8% in 2010 and yielded  an improved operating earnings  margin of 19.4%. We achieved higher  sales of equipment, diagnostics  and repair information solutions to  owners and managers of independent  repair shops, and increased activity  with automotive OEM dealerships.  Sales were driven by innovation,  year progressed. Through 2010, sales for the Group returned to  pre-recession levels — evidence that  our franchisee stimulus programs  implemented in the face of the  economic downturn were effective.  In the year, we continued to invest  significantly in training and product  support to keep our franchise  generation, where mission-critical  repairs and activities require  repeatability and reliability, is a  natural extension of Snap-on’s  value proposition, and one where  we continue to make progress.  We are also acting to capitalize on the  building opportunities in emerging  “OVERALL, 2010 WAS AN ENCOURAGING YEAR.“ including the development and  launch of new diagnostics and  information products, as well as the  continued expansion of functionality  and content within existing RS&I  solutions. For example, in 2010,  we launched a new diagnostics  unit, the VERDICT™, which raised  industry handheld standards with  features including Wi-Fi Internet  capability, integration with Snap-on’s  proprietary repair information  databases and a wireless touch  screen display that allows remote  use by the technician throughout the  garage. Expanding our product range  with new products and services will  Net sales for the  Repair Systems  & Information Group (RS&I)  network robust. In 2010, the annual  Snap-on Franchisee Conference  featured more products, more  training and a business and profit  center aimed specifically at helping  franchisees improve their business  effi ciency. Franchisees attended  in signifi cantly higher numbers,  displaying considerable energy and  enthusiasm regarding prospects for  their future. We thank our dedicated  franchisees and their families for  their ongoing commitment and  passion for Snap-on. markets, where there is a developing  demand for our solutions, in what is  still the early stages of vehicle repair  and other critical industries. The  Snap-on Tools Group  represents  our worldwide franchised van  business, whose primary customers  are vehicle repair technicians.  In 2010, net sales increased 10.6%  and the operating earnings margin  was 11%. Volumes in this segment  were among the first to recover as  sales of longer payback items such  as diagnostics and tool storage,  which were heavily impacted by  the recession, improved as the  In 2010,  IndustryWeek  magazine  selected the Snap-on Murphy, North  Carolina, power tools manufacturing  facility as one of the top 10 plants in  North America.  The award recognizes  facilities that are on the leading edge  in competitiveness, in customer  satisfaction and in creating  stimulating and rewarding work  environments. This speaks to the  powerful combination of the Snap-on  Value Creation Processes and of the  dedicated associates who are  committed to delivering the most  valued productivity solutions in the  world . . . every day. 8