SHERIDAN, WYOMING - January 6, 2026 - Sonic Tools has introduced its NEXT MSS modular hand tool storage system, positioning the new cabinet platform as the next generation of professional workshop organization for automotive, aviation, and industrial environments. Building on more than a decade of adoption of the original MSS series, NEXT MSS expands modularity, installation flexibility, and digital planning capabilities to help workshops design scalable storage layouts aligned with modern operational demands. For shop owners and fleet operators, the launch highlights how modular infrastructure can support productivity, space optimization, and long-term asset management.
Evolving the MSS Platform for Modern Workshops
NEXT MSS represents an update to Sonic's long-standing modular storage approach, introducing a redesigned aesthetic in signal black and anthracite gray while significantly broadening configuration options. The system includes more than 60 modules spanning cabinets, worktops, back panels, and accessories, enabling workshops to tailor layouts to specific workflows and floorplans. This expanded modular range is designed to accommodate both compact service bays and larger multi-station operations without forcing standardized layouts that may limit efficiency.
By maintaining compatibility across modules, Sonic is positioning NEXT MSS as a system that can evolve alongside a workshop's operational needs rather than requiring wholesale replacement as capacity grows.
Digital Configuration as an Operational Tool
A central element of the NEXT MSS launch is its integration with the Sonic Configurator, a digital platform that allows technicians and shop managers to design and visualize storage layouts before installation. The configurator enables users to map cabinet placement, assess spatial constraints, and optimize tool access in advance, reducing rework and installation downtime.
For multi-location operators or franchise networks, this digital planning capability can support standardized layouts across sites while still allowing local customization, helping maintain consistency in tool organization and training environments.
Installation Efficiency and Facility Adaptability
Sonic has engineered NEXT MSS to reduce installation time and complexity, an important consideration for workshops seeking to minimize service interruptions. Features such as dual kick plates are designed to adapt to uneven floors, ensuring proper alignment even in older facilities where level surfaces are not guaranteed. These practical installation enhancements aim to lower setup labor and accelerate time to productivity once cabinets are deployed.
The system is backed by a 10-year warranty, reinforcing its positioning as a long-term infrastructure investment rather than a short-cycle consumable purchase.
Tool Control and Workflow Optimization
NEXT MSS integrates with the Sonic Foam System (SFS), which offers more than 200 preconfigured foam layouts and tool sets. This integration supports standardized tool placement, rapid visual inventory checks, and faster retrieval and return of tools during service operations. For managers, improved tool control can translate into reduced loss, clearer accountability, and more predictable workflow performance across shifts.
The combination of modular cabinets and preconfigured tool layouts is intended to support lean workshop practices by minimizing search time and maintaining complete tool sets at each station.
Customer-Driven Development
According to Sonic, NEXT MSS reflects direct input from professional users across industries.
"The NEXT MSS cabinet is the result of years of hard work and close collaboration with our customers, representing a significant leap forward in workshop aesthetics and functionality," said Colby McConnell, CEO, Sonic USA. "We are excited to bring this level of professional organization to our community and offer NEXT MSS for purchase through our website."
This customer-led development approach aligns with broader industry trends where equipment suppliers are increasingly expected to co-design solutions with end users rather than relying solely on internal engineering roadmaps.
Implications for Professional Equipment Buyers
The launch of NEXT MSS underscores a growing emphasis on modular, digitally planned infrastructure in professional workshops. As labor efficiency, tool accountability, and space utilization remain critical operational metrics, storage systems that integrate physical modularity with digital configuration tools are becoming part of broader productivity strategies rather than standalone purchases.
For buyers evaluating workshop upgrades, NEXT MSS positions Sonic as a supplier focused on long-term scalability, installation efficiency, and standardized tool management across diverse service environments.
Learn more about NEXT MSS and Sonic Tools at www.sonictoolsusa.com.