Quantcast
Jump to content

Is the General Auto Repair Shop Model Still Sustainable?

Joe Marconi
 Share

Recommended Posts










Gerald Martin Rookie

Gerald Martin

Posted
Posted

Great questions Joe.  In my opinion, the future is bright for independent repair shops that embrace emerging technologies and invest in training.  See you all at Vision 2024 in Kansas City!

However, I can see the possibility that we no longer expect that every tech has the knowledge or training for every job that comes through the shop, as may have been expected in the past.  There may be alignment and ADAS techs, diesel repair techs, driveability diag techs, etc.  Oh, and high tech immobilizer and key programming work that requires locksmith level training.  A certain amount of specialization is inevitable, isn't it?

Wouldn't it make sense to have a goal of having two technicians in the shop that have competency for services offered by the company?

Gerald

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
willydmax Apprentice

willydmax

Posted
Posted

I completely agree with Gerald. You have to keep up with technology. I’m a general repair shop that started in 2014. I’ve been by myself until last summer I hired a kid part time. I think it depends quite a bit on your location. I’m in the Midwest in a small hick town and I have absolutely no issues being profitable or busy. I work on most makes but am not afraid of telling a customer that I’m not interested in working on their European car, older carbureted vehicle etc. I do a fair bit of transmission and engine replacements along with quite a lot of diesel repairs. If you’re straight forward, honest and have a caring attitude, most people will respect you for your boundaries and if they don’t then you don’t want to work for them anyway. I’m the only shop for miles around besides the dealer that can program/update most brands. The tooling costs a lot but most of my customers are very happy to not have to go to the dealer. I don’t have any customers with hybrids yet, even though I’ve taken some training on them. This year will be my 7th year going to Vision and it’s interesting how many of my classes are on management instead of technical. Vision is a huge highlight of the year and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Just my $.02

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
willydmax Apprentice

willydmax

Posted
Posted

Some more thoughts, I love efficiency and the challenge of book time. I think if you’re reasonably competent and have great tools that book time can easily be beat. Most of the time I work by myself and keep close track of my time via my shop management system. I typically arrive around 7:30 and leave around 5:10 Monday through Friday. Most of the time I bill an average of 40 hours or more per week. You can train yourself to look at what needs taken apart and visualize what it takes for tools to make it happen. I’m allergic to turning anything out by hand and will spend money to make that happen with tools. A rolling tool cart should be sitting right beside you with the main items on or in it so you don’t waste time walking. Shop-Ware is what I use and it has helped me immensely to be more organized and efficient. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      Want to End Your Technician Shortage? Focus on Retention!
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         5 comments
      I recently spoke with a friend of mine who owns a large general repair shop in the Midwest. His father founded the business in 1975. He was telling me that although he’s busy, he’s also very frustrated. When I probed him more about his frustrations, he said that it’s hard to find qualified technicians. My friend employs four technicians and is looking to hire two more. I then asked him, “How long does a technician last working for you.” He looked puzzled and replied, “I never really thought about that, but I can tell that except for one tech, most technicians don’t last working for me longer than a few years.”
      Judging from personal experience as a shop owner and from what I know about the auto repair industry, I can tell you that other than a few exceptions, the turnover rate for technicians in our industry is too high. This makes me think, do we have a technician shortage or a retention problem? Have we done the best we can over the decades to provide great pay plans, benefits packages, great work environments, and the right culture to ensure that the techs we have stay with us?
      Finding and hiring qualified automotive technicians is not a new phenomenon. This problem has been around for as long as I can remember. While we do need to attract people to our industry and provide the necessary training and mentorship, we also need to focus on retention. Having a revolving door and needing to hire techs every few years or so costs your company money. Big money! And that revolving door may be a sign of an even bigger issue: poor leadership, and poor employee management skills.
      Here’s one more thing to consider, for the most part, technicians don’t leave one job to start a new career, they leave one shop as a technician to become a technician at another shop. The reasons why they leave can be debated, but there is one fact that we cannot deny, people don’t quit the company they work for, they usually leave because of the boss or manager they work for.
      Put yourselves in the shoes of your employees. Do you have a workplace that communicates, “We appreciate you and want you to stay!”

  • Similar Topics



  •
    nptrb

    Understanding S-Corp Distributions and Draws | Are They Taxable?

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    0 comments 622 views
    nptrb

    Spring Clean Your Finances: 5 Steps Every Business Should Take

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 386 views
    nptrb

    Tax Season Preparation: A Comprehensive Guide

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 509 views

  • Our Sponsors

Main Sections

More Sections

Discussion Forums

×
×
  • Create New...