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Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?
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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog13 commentsMost shop owners would agree that the independent auto repair industry has been too cheap for too long regarding its pricing and labor rates. However, can we keep raising our labor rates and prices until we achieve the profit we desire and need? Is it that simple?
The first step in achieving your required gross and net profit is understanding your numbers and establishing the correct labor and part margins. The next step is to find your business's inefficiencies that impact high production levels.
Here are a few things to consider. First, do you have the workflow processes in place that is conducive to high production? What about your shop layout? Do you have all the right tools and equipment? Do you have a continuous training program in place? Are technicians waiting to use a particular scanner or waiting to access information from the shop's workstation computer?
And lastly, are all the estimates written correctly? Is the labor correct for each job? Are you allowing extra time for rust, older vehicles, labor jobs with no parts included, and the fact that many published labor times are wrong? Let's not forget that perhaps the most significant labor loss is not charging enough labor time for testing, electrical work, and other complicated repairs.
Once you have determined the correct labor rate and pricing, review your entire operation. Then, tighten up on all those labor leaks and inefficiencies. Improving production and paying close attention to the labor on each job will add much-needed dollars to your bottom line.
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By Junior
Looking to sell a hunter RM 8000 lb alignment rack I have, with Model 611 alignment machine. Its loaded up on a trailer and ready to go, will deliver in the Hudson Valley area if you have a way to unload it. Asking $6,000 for the whole setup.
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By Joe Marconi
As a result of COVID-19, we are seeing more and more businesses install plastic shields at their service and receptionist counters and desks. What are your thoughts. Will you install the shield, have done it or is it a no?
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By carmcapriotto
Rick White, President and Lead Coach for 180BIZ, an auto repair shop training and business coaching company. He also owned and managed several successful automotive repair shops.
Early in his career, Rick got his arm stuck under a vehicle while working underneath it. He managed to get out safely but it was a wake up call to him and for all of us as well. This is everyone’s concern. There are too many distractions like cell phones, tablets, lackadaisical attitude of it never happening, not focused on job at task, talking to tech next to them and a whole lot more. We need to follow lift maintenance schedules religiously and document every procedure in order to check work properly.
Rick White’s Previous Episodes HERE.
Key Talking Points:
Lift safety- if you don’t talk about it and acknowledge it you are building risk Rick read about a tech that got killed by car falling off lift onto him in Richmond Virginia Last 18 months: 17 deaths from cars falling off lifts Early in his career, Rick was working on a vehicle by himself on the ground, arm got stuck but was able to get out safely- wake up call from beginning Too many distractions- cell phones, tablets, lackadaisical attitude of it never happening, not focused on the job at task, talking to tech next to them Customers are trusting you with their lives when they hand you the keys Need to implement an annual training program for everyone in the shop Autolift.org- certification program $16 per tech Visually inspect lift contact point, lift car and wiggle to ensure it settles and isn’t moving, safety latches are on Must follow maintenance schedule on lift- inspecting and checking fluids daily Have procedures in place in order to double-check work- tire safety: have tech document torque and road test If you get interrupted during job: document last thing you did on repair order/tablet etc then document what you were going to do nextWhen you get interrupted takes up to 20 minutes to get back into productive mode Be engaged with NOW- “Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero”Pluck the day- stop to pull some flowers, be present Use a buddy system- do not work on a vehicle by yourself, have cameras We work to live, we don’t live to work Link for on-line lift certification:https://www.autolift.org/ali-store/lifting-it-right-online-edition/ Resources:
Thanks to Rick White for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast. Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers. Love what we do, buy a cup of coffee HERE. Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
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This episode is brought to you by AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve. With 2,500 exhibiting companies, you’ll see the latest products, parts, and technologies for your business. As a result, the event also offers advanced training for shop owners, technicians, warehouse distributors (WDs) and auto parts retailers, as well as networking opportunities to grow your business. AAPEX 2020 will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. Therefore, more than 48,000 targeted buyers are expected to attend, and approximately 162,000 automotive aftermarket professionals. They will be from 135 countries which are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX 2020. For information, visit aapexshow.com
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By Junior
In the market for a new lift. Looking for something that will work well for low vehicles but can still handle light trucks. 2 post, clear floor 10k lbs capacity range. I see a lot of manufacturers offer a bi-symmetrical lifts now. I've never used one. Thoughts? What do you have and like? I had mohawk's for the last 20 years, exploring other brands. Not going to get full time shop usage. Looking for the best bang for the buck but not anything that isn't ALI certified.
What do you have that you like and can easily get sports cars on (a problem for my asymmetrical mohawk without blocks of wood to drive on)
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By J.P. GLENN
Anyone using alignment stands on a 2 post lift? How are they for daily use?
I have a smaller shop with 2 techs and 3 bays, We have 2 lifts and 1 small "flat" bay. We are Japanese specialty shop that is growing and we were planning to add a new lift to the flat bay. The bay is not deep enough for a true 4 post alignment lift, so I was planning to purchase a new 2 post lift and add stands with an alignment machine in the near future. In searching for the right lift to be used with stands, I was just offered a used 2 post Hunter alignment rack that would fit in the bay for the same price as the 2 post with stands... and that really got me thinking...
We do an average of 25 cars a week on 2 makes and we are adding 3 more early this year (thus the need for another lift). We just started doing tires this past year and only sublet alignments when they are absolutely necessary. Our situation is pushing us towards needing an alignment machine in house, but we could use another lift for "over flow" just a much.
Knowing that we will be doing alignments out of necessity in the near future, I am leaning towards having a dedicated alignment lift. My questions are:
1. Does anyone regret purchasing their stands over an actual alignment lift?
2. Does anyone do "other" work on their alignment lift?
3. And how many alignments should I really expect?
If space were a major issue, what would you do?
(Drive-on alignment lift -OR- 2 post lift with alignment stands?)
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