Welcome to the first edition of Member Monday, a new series highlighting SCMC member companies and the people behind them.
This week, we’re featuring Diesel Laptops, an Irmo-based technology company founded in 2015 by Tyler Robertson. What was once a startup operating out of a garage and dining room table has grown into a leading technology provider for commercial trucks and recently became part of Snap-On Incorporated through a $100 million acquisition.
Before founding Diesel Laptops, Robertson spent more than 15 years working in commercial truck dealerships in service, parts, IT, and marketing roles.
“Working at a commercial truck dealership, I saw firsthand how difficult it was for shops and fleets to get access to the same diagnostic tools, repair information, and support that dealerships had,” said Robertson.
That experience continues to shape the company’s approach today.
“Our focus has always been on solving customer problems,” he said. “Rather than simply selling products, we work to understand the challenges our customers face and build solutions that help them operate more effectively.”
What started as a small business focused on helping technicians solve problems has expanded into software, repair information, training, parts intelligence, and connected vehicle technology. Today, Diesel Laptops serves customers across North America and beyond.
The company’s growth has earned national recognition, including a spot on the Inc. 500, which recognizes the nation’s fastest-growing private companies, four selections as one of South Carolina’s Fastest Growing Companies, and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Exporter of the Year award.
Robertson said the company’s mission has remained the same from the beginning.
“What continues to inspire me is helping businesses become more efficient, keeping trucks on the road, and creating solutions that make technicians’ jobs easier,” he said. “Every day, our team is working to solve real-world problems for the people who keep the economy moving.”
While Diesel Laptops has experienced significant growth, Robertson said he is most proud of the team the company has built in South Carolina.
“We’ve been able to create high-quality jobs in South Carolina while building products that compete on a global stage,” said Robertson. “The growth of our people and the culture we’ve built are accomplishments I’m every bit as proud of as our business success.”
Robertson said South Carolina has been an excellent place to build and grow a business, citing the state’s workforce, business climate, and culture that supports entrepreneurship and innovation.
“We’ve benefited from relationships with customers, employees, educational institutions, industry organizations, and state and local leaders who understand the importance of growing businesses and creating jobs,” said Robertson. “The collaborative business community in South Carolina has played a meaningful role in our success.”
The company also supports workforce development and technical education, helping promote careers in the trades and encouraging the next generation of skilled professionals to enter the industry.
Looking ahead, Diesel Laptops sees significant opportunities in diagnostics, connected vehicle technology, artificial intelligence, repair intelligence, and fleet management.
“We’re focused on continuing to grow our team in South Carolina and building technology that strengthens both our industry and our local economy. The future is incredibly exciting, and we believe we’re just getting started,” said Robertson.
