Scott Waddle started Precision Auto Service in 1997 after working as a mechanic/technician at several independent repair shops in Metro Vancouver. Knowing the repair business was in need of a modern, customer service oriented option for Langley residents, Scott believed that there was a better method. Over 20 years later, we are still growing every year.

Precision Auto Service has been Providing Safe, Reliable transportation to Langley and Aldergrove residents for over fifteen years. We are a locally owned independent automotive repair and service facility committed to the community we live in. All our staff lives in Langley, Surrey or Abbotsford, just like our clients. Find out more about Scott’s episodes HERE.

Michael Waddle is Scott’s gifted son. He helps out at the shop during the summer and works a lot on their website. He is a Tire Technician, Shop Maintenance, and IT Support. He has made an app which calculates EV Charge time. It is provided below. He also facilitates the improvement of their website and helps their customers innovate especially in App Creation. A fan-submitted app is linked below. Find out more about Michael’s episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points

• Scott is nurturing Michael as a son and team member.
• Michael is 15 years old.
• Started at shop 3 years ago clocking in and out.
• Works on his car at home and at the shop.  
• In shop creates work orders, and does light duty work like TPMS troubleshooting, air filters, light bulbs, system networking, and software. Along with spreadsheets, invoices, inventory,  website, and the occasional extra set of hands.
• Michael has passion is for the changing new technology- electric cars, hybrid, autonomous cars. Wants to continue to learn and grow with it because it is our future.
• Helped set up and work a booth show for Electric Vehicle Association.
• Only shop in western Canada that handles hybrid battery reconditioning/replacement.
• Attended ATE twice. Took hybrid vehicle class this year (2018).
• Created Apps for hybrid voltages and oil change calculator, loyalty points for customer/ payment, electric vehicle charging time calculator  
• Future for Michael:
  • Unsure of where he wants to go or what he wants to do yet.
  • Scott is giving him freedom for to choose his future

A special thanks to Scott and Michael Waddle for sharing their stories.

Resources mentioned in the Episode:

Precision Auto Service Website

Precision Auto Service Fan-Submitted APP

EV Charge Time Calculator

The Forever Student’s go to Resources:

Link to the ‘BOOKS’ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library. Leaders are readers.

Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.

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This episode is brought to you by Federal-MogulMotorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com

The Panel:

Peter Foreman from Integra Tire, Second Generation Shop Owner, 39 Years old from Langley, BC. Peter literally grew up in the shop. As a baby there was a cot in the office while his mom Cheryl did the books! Taking his Dad Dave’s beliefs and expanding on them, Peter went out and made a career on his own in the auto parts industry before deciding to come back and help his family bring the shop into the next age of auto service and repair in 2005. Peter is happily married with two children. His children love to visit the shop as well. Maybe there will be a third generation one day!

Cody Olshaski from Gary’s Automotive in White Rock, BC. Gary’s Automotive has been in business for over 30 years in White Rock, BC, with a very simple business plan: Provide every customer with top quality automotive repairs, installations and maintenance services, along with unmatched customer service, and success would surely follow. This simple philosophy has served the company very well. Today Gary’s Automotive enjoys a reputation as a dependable provider of a full range of automotive repair and maintenance services for any vehicle, including carbureted and classic cars. Gary’s Automotive is a designated ICBC Inspection Facility and offers a safe, secure storage facility for all types of oversize or seldom-used vehicles, boats and RVs. The shop has lifts that allow them to service large pickup trucks and any vehicle without airbrakes. They service 1 and 2-ton vans, F550s and Class A motorhomes.

Scott Waddle opened Precision Auto Service in Langley, British Columbia in 1997 and it wasn’t long until he realized that running a business, was nothing like fixing cars. He started taking business management courses at a regular pace and the rest is history. Their tagline is: “Where we worry about your car, so you don’t have to!®”   They believe it is their responsibility to keep their clients safe and reliable on the road. Scott is building a brand-new facility. Listen to Scott’s previous podcast episodes HERE.

Talking points:

• Tech Shortage, grow your own technician.
  • Addressing colleges with guidelines for the pre-apprentice program. Then drawing from that program to mold tech into what your company needs. Tech learns from company culture.
  • Co-Op Program option from select local college, receive a diploma in automotive engineering and automotive business and all technical training.
  • 4-year apprenticeship program: college in classroom training, 1 year in business training, then 4-8 additional weeks of college training, then another 1 year in business.
    • Unfortunately, approximately half drop out.
  • For the apprentice, there is a culture of learning and a process for competency. Much of this starts with a strong mentor.
• Mentor.
  • Needs to be willing to be a mentor, needs to be patient with training.
  • Embrace the education process: growing as a technician.
  • The mentor must be willing and understand their role.
• View competitors as a colleague.
• Invest in business as well as working in business.
  • ATE training.
  • Stay updated on changes in the industry, embrace technology.

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events    Speaking

This episode is brought to you by Federal-MogulMotorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com

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This episode is brought to you by Jasper Engines & Transmissions. When a car’s engine or transmission fails, it’s not the end of the road. A remanufactured drivetrain product from Jasper Engines & Transmissions will give your car a new lease on life. JASPER has over 2000 Associates, three manufacturing facilities, two distribution centers and 45 branch offices across the country. They’re all working to produce, transport and deliver the perfect product. That’s what they do best… keep customers happy. Visit jasperengines.com

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email

This episode is brought to you by Jasper Engines & Transmissions. When a car’s engine or transmission fails, it’s not the end of the road. A remanufactured drivetrain product from Jasper Engines & Transmissions will give your car a new lease on life. JASPER has over 2000 Associates, three manufacturing facilities, two distribution centers and 45 branch offices across the country. They’re all working to produce, transport and deliver the perfect product. That’s what they do best… keep customers happy. Visit jasperengines.com

Meet Scott Waddle from Precision Auto Service in Langley, British Columbia. Yes, the first Canadian shop owner to grace the podcast. You will learn that success stories and challenges are universal in north America.

An Early Start.
Scott Waddle has been fixing cars since he was four, maybe younger… out in the driveway with dad, it’s all he really knows. He always had an entrepreneurial spirit as well, and could always find a way to earn a dollar, even as a young kid.

School and Certifications.
Scott grew up like many kids in high school fixing up old cars and naturally (at least naturally for him) he carried that through, went to a Polytechnic University and took the Auto Service entry level course. He got a job in a repair shop, did his apprenticeship and became a Red Seal technician, as well as getting his AirCare, Propane, Commercial Vehicle Inspectors license and earning every other certification available, including the ASE master technician designation.

Working for others is not for everyone.
After working as a mechanic at several independent repair shops, Scott knew the repair business was in need of a modern, customer service oriented option and he believed there was a better method. Scott went into business because he wasn’t employable. He got fired from his last 3 jobs. We hear that often from many shop owners. He says fixing cars is easy. People are the challenge and we must be a people business to include your external and internal customers. Scott is all about the customer and raising the service bar.

Start of his business.
Scott Waddle opened Precision Auto in 1997 and it wasn’t long until he realized that running a business, was nothing like fixing cars, and he needed help. Scott hired his first technician in less than a year, and kept growing from there. Scott started taking business management courses at a regular pace. When Scott hired his first customer service consultant, he consistently grew about 10% per year over the past 18 years. He says the secret of this growth is simple, always hire people who are better than you at their specific jobs. Scott is proud to say that in the 18 years he is in business, he has only had 12 employees. Many shops go through that many in a year!

Customer Needs.
Precision Auto Service has a tag line: “Where we worry about your car, so you don’t have to!®” Scott believes he has a responsibility to keep his clients  safe and reliable on the road. His focus is to keep them informed of their car’s needs, based on their specific driving habits and conditions. His small operation can really get to know people and their car’s needs which is a contrast to a one size fits all maintenance plan.

Philanthropy.
Scott is involved in his children’s school PAC. He is a Director at the Langley Chamber of Commerce, a Director for the Automotive Retailers Association and a member of the Think Referrals Business Networking group.

Why listen?
Learn about the unique way his technicians participate in a network to help a trainer design the classes necessary, as a direct results of what they see coming in the bays.

Learn what he values from his peer groups and the R & D method of finding and implementing new ideas.

Discover that he will build a new building after paying rent for the last seventeen years.

Understand why he values covering for his service writer for vacations.

Hear about his social media strategy

Learn why he believes ‘Kiazen’ is a very effective strategy to improve your business.

Precision Auto Service website here. Business overview:

Feedback, socially involved and in touch with the show:
Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Phone 716-320-1567   Email

This episode is brought to you by Federal-Mogul Motorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com