Kansas City, Mo. -- "The day you stop growing is the day somebody else is going to take you over," said Dan Sommerhauser, who started working for Autobody Color (ABC) in 1962 as a delivery driver at the original store in St. Joseph. Sommerhauser, now president of ABC, is a testament to his word. In 1969, he became the company's first outside paint salesman, 10 years later he and his wife, Linda, purchased half of the company, and in 1982, they took over full ownership.
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Articles Written By Matthew Sevart:
Autobody Color expands services, offers ground-up installations (July 2008)
Blue Springs shop owner says O'Reilly's Certified Auto Repair program is a good fit (July 2008)
Hot-button issues addressed at third annual Midwest Collision Industry Forum (July 2008)
Midwest Region July People & Places (July 2008)
Tech-Net shop generates extra business through classic-car work (July 2008)
Wichita wholesaler increases efficiency through dispatch and delivery program (July 2008)
Wichita, Kan.--"You can't buy technology just for the sake of buying it; you need to make sure that it is benefiting you're business," said Rob Jacobs, vice president of Automotive Supply Inc., a 65,000-square-foot Professional's Choice auto parts warehouse.
GM performance parts are a passion for the crew at Superior Chevrolet (June 2008)
Merriam, Kan. -- For some people, work is just that: work. Others, such as Dave Hosley, fixed-operations director at Superior Chevrolet, take things a little more seriously, which may explain why he has an 8x4-foot concrete Chevrolet bowtie symbol on his driveway. Read Full ArticleHight Automotive owner helps keep hot-rodders safe and off the streets (June 2008)
Limited parts and data access on European cars are just speed bumps for shop owner (June 2008)
Independence, Mo. -- "When your kids ask who you are when you come home, you know you have been working too much," said Steve Esry, owner of Euro Doc, an automotive repair facility specializing in European cars. The long hours started when Esry, who had worked at dealerships since high school, decided to open his own shop.
Midwest June People & Places (June 2008)
Midwest motorsports ready to get under way after slow start due to inclement weather (June 2008)
Automotive Training Institute instructor provides tips for lasting success and profit for shop owners (May 2008)
Bret's Autoworks owner reflects on his start and successes along the way (May 2008)
Olathe, Kan. -- Shawn Fischer, general manager of Bret's Autoworks, said he was more than 2,000 miles from home when he first met Bret Tredway, owner of Bret's Autoworks. It was 1997 and the two were involved in a mission trip in Venezuela.
Cunningham Auto Body finds a niche in total loss, buy back market (May 2008)
Midwest May People & Places (May 2008)
Panel of brake experts answers questions, gives advice on proper repair procedures at Showpower (May 2008)
Brake work is not what it used to be, said Bendix Technical Training Manager Jay Buckley during an expert panel technical seminar at Showpower in Chicago on March 27-29. "Technicians don't understand how complex brakes can really be," he said. "With the advent of ABS, stability control, and traction control, there is a huge need for continuing education."
St. Louis foreign-parts recycler uses Internet to build business, expand customer base (May 2008)
St. Louis--About seven years ago, Joe Heiman, the second-generation owner of Al's Foreign Car, said he got his recycled-parts business set up on the Internet, and he has been rolling ever since. He said his Web site www.alsforeigncar.com and his involvement with www.car-part.com offers his business another form of exposure. Read Full ArticleVeteran of changing salvage business says auctions should be closed to overseas buyers (May 2008)
Wichita, Kan.--Kara Hay, counterwoman at Don Schmid Salvage, said she has seen some big changes in the salvage industry since she first starting working at Don Schmid Salvage in 1990. First and foremost, she said, buying quality vehicles at auctions has become a challenge. Read Full ArticleEducating customers and using the latest diagnostic equipment helps western Illinois repair shop find niche (April 2008)
For 26 years, top-notch service and diagnosis continue to work for Parkville repair shop (April 2008)
Parkville, Mo.--Glen McKahan, owner of Glen's Service Center, said he had 48 jobs before he opened his own automotive repair shop in 1982. Whether it was working as a technician at a dealership or in the press room for the Kansas City Star, McKahan said his previous jobs helped mold him into the business owner he is today.
Midwest April People & Places (April 2008)
Shur-Way Auto Body is first to use waterborne paints in St. Louis (April 2008)
St. Louis--George Washington was the first President of the United States, Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon, and Mike Swederska, owner of Shur-Way Auto Body was the first to use waterborne paints in St. Louis. It all began when Swederska, an avid fly fisherman, and conservationist realized that his business practices did not align with his "green" philosophy. Read Full ArticleSt. Charles shop makes preventive maintenance a priority (April 2008)
St. Charles, Mo. -- Last year, John Coffey, 12-time ASE/NAPA Mount Vernon Technician of the Year, and owner of Coffey Automotive, a NAPA Auto Care Center, said he did $90,000 in sales on flushes alone. In the last three years he said he has really focused on increasing preventive maintenance work. Read Full ArticleTechnology keys ASA's state of the industry presentation (April 2008)
Kansas City, Mo.--What does the future hold for independent automotive repair facilities? Bill Haas, ASA national vice president of education and training, took on that question at the ASA State of the Automotive Service Industry Presentation on Feb. 21, at Cascone's in Kansas City.
Training, technology at forefront of 2008 Vision ASA-MO/KAN training and expo (April 2008)
Blue Springs collision shop acquires second building, adds offices, break room, drive-in bay (March 2008)
Blue Springs, Mo.--There is really nothing tropical about Charlie's Auto Collision Repair, nor do they have a Hawaiian infatuation, said General Manager David Osborne, yet lining the front of the business are life-size solid steel palm trees. Read Full ArticleCollision repair program offers students practical experience, 100 percent job placement (March 2008)
St. Louis--Students enrolled in the automotive collision repair technology program at Ranken Technical College are finding jobs in some of the most interesting places, said Larry Schmidt, head of the automotive collision repair department. Read Full ArticleHart Auto Body continues to flourish after 60 years in business (March 2008)
Florissant, Mo.--How do you stay in business for 60 years? Scott McRoberts, general manager at Hart Auto Body, said growing up around the business he learned from his father, and Owner Randy McRoberts that some key elements are hard work, quality repairs, and customer service.
Lewis & Clark Career Center adds automotive classrooms, computers, and lifts, sends two students to national competition in New York (March 2008)
Midwest March People & Places (March 2008)
Northeast Missouri repair shop finds a niche in diagnostic and wiring work (March 2008)
New London, Mo.--Rick Wilson, owner of K&K Performance Automotive, said a customer recently compared his ability to diagnose car problems not to that of a doctor, but rather a veterinarian. Wilson said he has invested thousands of dollars on scan tools, but he has never had one talk to him and tell him what is wrong with the car; that is something he has to figure out on his own. Read Full ArticleSallas Auto Repair owner focuses on working on business rather than in it (March 2008)
Kansas City, Mo.--"If you are in a business and you are not trying to better yourself, you are not going to see your business move forward," said Nick Sallas, 2007 Napa/ASE Kansas City Distribution Center Technician of the Year and owner of Sallas Auto Repair.
University of Central Missouri offers specialized management degree in automotive technology (March 2008)
University of Central Missouri offers specialized management degree in automotive technology (March 2008)
Doug Jenkins Custom Hot Rods adds personal touch to business, looks to expand out of state (February 2008)
St. Louis--The month of January was a big American road trip for Doug Jenkins, owner of Doug Jenkins Custom Hot Rods. He said stops included Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New York, and Oregon. Jenkins said he was not on vacation, however, but was adding a personal touch to his hot rod business by driving a car hauler across the country to pick up and return customers' cars. Read Full ArticleLocation change offers new amenities for Mid-Nite Auto Supply (February 2008)
Midwest February People & Places (February 2008)
Nearby Vision expo offers a look at the latest tools and equipment (February 2008)
A 250-mile drive is all it takes for St Louis-area shop owners and technicians to get to the Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo in Overland Park, Kan., on March 7-8, which boasts 60,000 square feet of exhibit space. The free expo, put on by the Automotive Service Association of Missouri/Kansas (ASA-MO/KAN), features hundreds of vendors showing off the latest tools, equipment, and services in the automotive industry.
Rick's Automotive to send 20 employees to 16th annual Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo. (February 2008)
Vision offers a look at the latest tools and equipment (February 2008)
The trade show floor at the 16th annual Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo at the Overland Park Convention Center on March 7-8 will boast 60,000 square feet of exhibit space. The free expo, put on by the Automotive Service Association of Missouri/Kansas (ASA-MO/KAN), features hundreds of vendors showing off the latest tools, equipment, and services in the automotive industry.
Collision repair program offers students practical experience, 100 percent job placement (January 2008)
St. Louis--Students enrolled in the automotive collision repair technology program at Ranken Technical College are finding jobs in some of the most interesting places, said Larry Schmidt, head of the automotive collision repair department.
John's Automotive Care owner focuses on running the business, letting techs fix cars (January 2008)
San Diego--John Eppstein, owner of John's Automotive Care and three-time NAPA/ASE San Diego Distribution Center Technician of the Year, said that initially, the hardest part in running an automotive repair shop was convincing himself that his job was to run the business, not repair the cars. Read Full ArticleMidwest January People & Places (January 2008)
NAPA KC Metro Select group assists Blue Springs Auto Service Center with advertising, training, and Web site (January 2008)
Tallant's Auto Body and Hot Rod Shop uses Youtube to promote business, showcase work. (January 2008)
Tire manufacturers look to develop three-way relationship with distributors and retailers, move toward e-business (January 2008)
Kansas City, Kan.--During the first quarter of 2008, Bob Kotan said the tire industry is likely to experience as much change as it experienced in its first 50 years of existence. Read Full ArticleVision Hi-Tech Training & Expo offers new trainers and topics for 2008 (January 2008)
Overland Park, Kan.--The 2008 Automotive Service Association of Missouri/Kansas (ASA-MO/KAN) Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo will launch its 16th year March 7-8 at the Overland Park Convention Center. The event brings in more than 3,000 professionals throughout the country.
Bumper to Bumper certified service centers donate 12 cars to local victims of domestic violence (December 2007)
New location increases car count and parts business for Hays Chrysler dealership (December 2007)
O'Fallon repair shop keeps a close eye on numbers, fine-tunes business (December 2007)
O'Fallon, MO - For five years, Barbara Kinder said she and her husband, Greg, owners of Autotech Auto Center, were running two stores that were 20 miles away from one another.
San Diego repair shop uses creative marketing strategies and location to bring in new customers (December 2007)
San Diego - "Never underestimate the power of a pizza," said Keith Benline, owner of Robert's Auto Service, about his latest marketing strategy. "I go to the quick lubes in the area and I bring them pizzas; they love pizzas," he said. "Then I tell them that if they ever get in a jam on a vehicle and strip a drain plug or have a problem on a vehicle, I will take care of it for them--for free."
Track Lab uses mobile chassis dynos to generate parts and performance business, promote E85 use (December 2007)
Wichita custom shop approaches three years in business, prepares for Darryl Starbird Rod and Custom Show (December 2007)
Wichita, KS - At Devlin Rod and Customs, all attention is currently focused on a 1955 Ford that will be entered in the Darryl Starbird's Hall of Fame National Championship Rod and Custom Show on Jan. 18-20 at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita, Kan., said Tim Devlin, owner of Devlin Rod and Customs.
400 area high school students converge on MCC-Longview for annual Automotive Career Day (November 2007)
Consolidated Sales Solutions finds niche in Ford engine and transmission distribution. (November 2007)
Marketing CEO gives area shop owners a lesson on branding (November 2007)
New equipment keeps Noland's Cylinder Head Repair on the cutting edge (November 2007)
Specialization in suspension and heavy trucks sets Mike's Frame Shop, Alignment and Brake apart from competitors (November 2007)
Topeka, Kan.--At 11 years old, Mike Gish said he installed his first ball joint. By 21, he said he had opened his own frame and body shop. Today, at 54, he and his wife, Bonnie, run Mike's Frame Shop, Alignment and Brake, and do repairs on heavy-duty trucks from Budweiser, Coors, Payless Shoe Store, and Pepsi, just to name a few.
Professionalism is key to success at Leibrand's Riverside Automotive (October 2007)
Riverside, Mo.--When you go to Leibrand's Riverside Automotive you can expect professionalism. In fact, upon entering the waiting area, you might confuse it with a doctor or dentist office. The shop, once awarded Riverside Business of the Year, is immaculate inside and out.
Word-of-mouth marketing and honest work keep customers coming back to Brad's Auto Service (October 2007)
KC Trends to open a new store and expand its offerings (September 2007)
New location, equipment generate more business for Richards' Collision Center (September 2007)
New Subaru dealership is built with the customer in mind (September 2007)
Lee's Summit, Mo.--After 32 years in the automotive industry, Bruce McWilliams, general manager of Lee's Summit Honda and Lee's Summit Subaru, got his first opportunity to build a dealership from the ground up. Read Full ArticleCollision Repair Technology competition brings nation's top students to the SkillsUSA Championships (August 2007)
Collision Repair Technology competition brings nation's top students to the SkillsUSA Championships (August 2007)
Collision Repair Technology competition brings nation's top students to the SkillsUSA Championships (August 2007)
East Side Auto Parts' key to success is customer satisfaction (July 2007)
Arrow Speed Warehouse celebrates 50 years in business (June 2007)
SCRS-MOKAN honors tech school students, instructors (June 2007)
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Copyright © 2007 Parts and People
Copyright | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy