Tigard, Ore.-Shop Equipment Co. Inc. has been in business for more than 24 years, said Owner Jim Havlinek, who joined the firm in 1995 as a partner and purchased the business in 2000.
While the firm offers a variety of services from shop design and layout to selling, installing, and servicing shop equipment, Havlinek said the firm’s mission is excelling at customer service.
“Exceptional customer service is what we’re all about. From consulting to sales to installation, we under-promise and over-deliver,” he said. “Those in this business that do the right thing will survive, and we feel we’re simply the best install and service company in the Northwest.”
Based in three buildings that occupy 15,000 square feet of office and warehouse space, Shop Equipment has 11 employees serving the needs of customers in Oregon and Washington, Havlinek said. “We have a great staff of people, including Paul Jones (service manager), my right-hand in the business,” he said. “Service is vital in this business, and providing quality installation, training, and after-service is Paul’s area of expertise.”
The products available from Shop Equipment range from air compressors to alignment machines, lifts to fluid handling systems, Havlinek said. That includes multiple brands of brake lathes, lifts, balancers, A/C service machines, tire changers, and washers, among other equipment groups, he added. Brands range from Bosch to Hunter, Norco to Motorvac.
The company is a master distributor for Challenger Lifts in Washington and Oregon, Havlinek said. “We offer a full complement of products for independent and dealer shops, but Challenger is our biggest line,” he said. “It is known for its quality and the diversity of lift products for all types of shop needs.”
One of the products Havlinek said is the most progressive is the new AquaVantage EnviroLift from Challenger, now available in the marketplace. It uses compressed air and tap water instead of electric motors and hydraulic oil, making it the most environmentally friendly lift available. “It’s very green and very efficient and we’re really excited about this unique new product.”
Havlinek said there will continue to be advances in lift systems from most all manufacturers as technology advances. “We’ll see more green products and lifts that make shop service more efficient and cost-effective.” One line of products Havlinek said the company likes to promote are the used oil burners and boilers. “It’s another green product and offers major savings to shops that burn used oil to heat their facilities.”
Another product that Havlinek said provides unique qualities and advanced technology is the Quincy line of compressors. “Quincy was known in the industrial field for decades, but now they are in the automotive industry offering high-quality, energy-efficient compressed air systems.”
With four lines of lubrication products, Havlinek said the Lincoln complete fluid dispensing systems are the most innovative products that save shops and dealers a substantial amount of time and money and allow for full tracking of oil and lube product sales. “Lincoln’s software is amazing and the inventory management systems work so well at the shop level,” he said, adding the Lincoln’s lubrication systems are compatible with ADP and Reynolds & Reynolds for tracking pricing and billing processes.
“We’re forced to keep up with OE equipment and the technological changes in the industry,” Havlinek said. “In order to professionally consult with shops and provide the most advanced equipment and systems is an ongoing process.” One of the upcoming changes, he said, will be to offer new equipment and products when R-134a refrigerant goes away. “We have RTI and Yellow Jacket products that will meet the needs of our customers.”
Servicing equipment represents a large portion of Shop Equipment’s overall business, Havlinek said. “We obviously service all the product brands we sell and install, but we also offer authorized service and parts on shop products we don’t sell. Being able to provide a wide range of service is important to us.” A variety of new products, raw materials for creating shop systems, and parts for a variety of equipment and systems are stored in Shop Equipment buildings, he said. “We keep various raw materials in order to make needed parts and for product installations.”
Maintenance and service are vital elements of the company operation as they offer customers everything from safety inspections to general inspections of shop equipment, Havlinek said. “Our goal is to keep our customers safe and running smoothly, plus providing needed service and parts,” he said.
Featured in several publications over the years, Havlinek said he is very proud of being in Inc. 5000 magazine in 2009 as one of the fastest growing companies in America. “It reflects what we’re all about and how we treat our customers,” he said.
Long involved in trade groups, Havlinek said he was a member of Pacific Automotive Trade Association prior to its merger several years ago with two other groups to form the Northwest Automotive Trades Association (NATA). “I was a longtime NATA board member and I supported a variety of training programs that benefited our members,” he said. “I also have supported our local high school automotive programs as they are an important part of our industry’s future.”
He is also a longtime member of the Oregon Automobile Dealers Association, Havlinek said. “We perform a lot of turn-key dealer shops and we enjoy our relationship with the auto dealers.”
