Archive for February 2017
RR 199: Brett Beachler from Beachlers Vehicle Care & Repair
Third Generation Service Professional is Known, since 1951, as a Super Ethical shop that Never Compromises.
Brett Beachler is Vice President of Beachlers Vehicle Care & Repair. Brett’s grandfather Bob started the business and his Dad Terry is active every day. Beachlers believes that customers need to be taught the concepts of automotive and become friends. They are known throughout their community as the shop of second options.
Helping their customers get 250K miles from their vehicle helps drive the high maintenance numbers the shop performs. Giving tours of the new facility is a smart tactic and strives to educate their customers of the behind the scenes of automotive repair.
To add to their new customer growth Brett has instituted a traveling lunch and learn program in his community and has a strong charitable program for new customers first oil change.
Listen and view episode notesRR 198: Oscar Manzo – 2016 Counter Professional of the Year
Longtime O’Reilly Auto Parts Counter Professional Earns National Recognition.
Oscar Manzo, Installer Service Specialist at O’Reilly Auto Parts for over 27 years is recognized as the 2016 Counter Professional of the Year. The honor is given every year, for the last thirty-one, from Babcox Media.
Oscar has dedicated his entire career to the parts business; he started as a part-time cashier. He loves his everyday interaction with his customers and researching hard to find parts. Oscar shares his view on what is new in the parts business and the fulfillment of his customer’s needs.
Listen and view episode notesRR 197: Gary Pontious, Jr. from Toledo Auto Care
A Big Emphasis on Culture has helped this Entrepreneur Create Duplicity to Scale his Business.
Gary Pontious Jr. is the Vice President and General Manager of Toledo Auto Care that is celebrating their 100th year in business in 2017.
Toledo Auto Care is the oldest independent auto repair shop in Toledo, OH and has been owned and operated by the Pontious family since 1985.
The family has just opened their second branch in December 2016 and the strength of their culture and fundamental business practices has allowed them to scale their business for growth.
Listen and view episode notesRR 196: Gary Sharits – Repair Pal/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year 2016
Gary Sharits, Service Manager of Christian Brothers in Land O Lakes, FL is the winner of the 2016 Repair Pal / ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year.
Gary has kept up his ASE credentials as Service Manager and credits his technician experience as a sound reason he can lead relationships with his technicians and customers. He shares his humble beginning from a mechanics helper at a Chevrolet dealer’s used car department, to where he is today as a service manager.
Sharits brings great insight to technicians and service managers and has a great message to youth wanting to join the industry.
Listen and view episode notesRR 195: Tatsu Tsuchida from Tokyo Automotive
Second Generation Shop Owner Still Learning
As a kid growing Tatsu Tsuchida, VP of Operations, Tokyo Automotive, was a natural at pulling things apart and putting them back together.
His father, Akio Tsuchida, started Tokyo Automotive in 1978. For Tatsu it would take the better part of his twenties, from being a ski bum, to living in Japan as an English teacher for him to sow his wild oats, but always knowing that he’d return one day to work in the family shop.
Today Tatsu has learned there’s much more to running an automotive shop than loving cars. He learns through his mentor and coaches, that how the bathroom looks, the decor, and how one talks; matter more to the customer than you would ever think. Tatsu is more than honest about his challenges, and often shares with other friendly garages his mistakes (and his triumphs) so that others can benefit. Tatsu says, “Together we learn and earn more.”
Listen and view episode notesRR 194: Bob Olson – Chrysler/ASE Technician of the Year 2016
ASE Chrysler/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year 2016
Thirty six year Chrysler technician, Bob Olson from Milbank, SD is honored with the ASE recognition. Bob tells the story when he started right up to how he sees technology at work in the industry.
Bob has been working at Chrysler Dealer, GESSWEIN MOTORS, for 36 years and is very committed to ASE. He’s been certified since 1980-33 years total. He has been a Jeep-Renault-Grand Master Technician -1984 to 1988 a GMC Master Technician-1988 to 2012 and a Chrysler Master Technician since 1989.
Listen and view episode notesRR 193: Kirk Richardson from South Street Auto Care
Major Business Turn Around Set Up a Plan to Retire from one Business and Buy a New One.
Kirk Richardson from South Street Auto Care in Rochester, MI, prides himself on his ability to create a family culture within his businesses. The culture is a blend of hard work, accountability, fun, and hijinx, which combine to make loyal and dedicated coworkers.
Kirk shares his companies culture, pay plan and a few elements of his strategic plan. He has a work distribution system that gets the maximum value out of every technician. Kirk loves business and people in general and will talk for hours about business!
Listen and view episode notesRR 192: Eric Ziegler – E-Z Diagnostic Solutions and Trainer
Mobile Diagnostic Entrepreneur and Industry Trainer Shares the Power of Networking.
Eric Ziegler owner of E-Z Diagnostic Solutions a Mobile Diagnostics and Programing company specializing in collision centers and auto repair facilities. Eric is also an instructor for Automotive Seminars and The Driveability Guys.
Eric shares sage advice on diagnostic challenges, training, networking, labor rates. He also imparts his passion on the need for bigger labor rates, specialization, silver bullets, and his role in the industry as a trainer.
Listen and view episode notes