"While we have no exterior parking space (they often use metered street parking) we do have 10,000 square feet of space on the inside to handle vehicles, but it is stressful at times managing our vehicles we have in for service," he said.

Hammer said that about 60 percent of the shop's  customers work in the Northwest downtown district (near the emerging Pearl District) and that the other 40 percent live and work close by.

The building that houses Everett Street Autoworks has been a repair facility of some sort since the 1950s, Hammer said. With a high ceiling, heavy beams, and skylights, it has served the needs of downtowners for decades, he said.

"This was a German vehicle specialist for many years, and the current shop owner, Dr. Jim Baker (a local allergist), was a longtime customer," Hammer said. In 1999, Baker purchased half of the building, and, in 2001, after the German repair service had closed, Everett Street Autoworks opened.

Hammer, a graduate of Washington State University with a degree in International Business, said he was a longtime friend of Baker's and was asked to assist with the business operation. In 2002, he said he became the general manager of the facility.

With a car count of more than 300 vehicles a month, Hammer said that 60 percent of the shop's business deals with import models, including brands such as Volvo, Subaru, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and even some Land Rovers.

 
"In order to properly diagnose all of the import and domestic models we service, it is important to have the right tools and equipment," he said, adding that the shop performs service on virtually every import and domestic brand of vehicle.

Hammer said the shop uses a variety of diagnostic tools and equipment to service vehicle systems, including a Modus scan tool, a four-gas analyzer, and Robinair service equipment for air conditioning. "The Modus seems to work best for us overall," he said, "but you need good repair and technical data also."

For information, the shop uses Alldata, Mitchell, and iATN for sourcing data, he said. "We need all three for information, but iATN has helped us a lot to diagnose and repair obscure situations."

"Herman Kachold, a well-tenured diagnostics technician, handles much of our diagnostic work, a large portion of our business," Hammer said. "He's been a tech since 19, and he loves to keep up with technology and diagnostics."

Kachold said he has had varied diagnostic experience, including five years at a Saab dealership. He said he is an ASE-Certified Master Technician as well as an L1- and L2-certified tech.

Hammer said another of the five techs at the shop is a solid diagnostician. "Oscar (Lopez) is ASE-certified and is trained on hybrids and diesels. He has a certified diesel diploma from Mexico and has received a great deal of training the past 15 years in the United States."

While the shop performs general service on diesels, Hammer said the shop staff will be getting more training on diesel diagnostics to create new business opportunities.

"You can win at engine and electronic diagnostics if you sell it right," he said. "But you can often lose if you don't understand its value. A good service writer is key in this process."

Ongoing training in diagnostics and other facets of service and repair is important to Hammer, who said the shop pays for all training programs that the staff attends. "We have been attending more hybrid service classes as we service a state fleet of vehicles, and they have hybrids in the fleet," he said.

With electronic systems repair also significant at Everett Street Autoworks, Hammer said that continuous training on electronic technology is also vital. He said he has attended Management Success classes in Glendale, Calif., to further improve his business skills.

The shop recently purchased a new alignment machine to improve services offered at the facility, Hammer said. "While we do a lot of preventive maintenance service, we also perform plenty of brake and chassis work, and the new alignment machine will help us expand in that area. We had been subletting alignment work," he said.

A new air-conditioning service machine will also improve A/C service and diagnostics at the shop, Hammer said. "We're an AAA-Approved Auto Repair center, so we want to be able to perform all the needs of our incoming customers," he said. "The AAA program has been very good for us, and we like the AAA staff we deal with. It provides us with a lot of business, and it was a godsend to get approved for the (AAR) program."

Looking ahead, Hammer said diagnostics and electronic repair will become increasingly important over the next two to five years. "You have to sell value, and we have to purchase more specialty equipment to be able to service the needs of our diverse customer base."