Delray Beach, Fla.—If a shop could deliver up to two more cars per day using its existing footprint, it might consider changing its priming processes to the latest in ultraviolet primers and curing lamps.
St. Charles, Mo.—Since taking over ownership of the shop he had worked at as a tech for 15 years, Ron Tinner has always been an early adopter of new technology and products.
“If it makes life easier for my techs and our customers, then why not embrace it,” said Tinner, who has owned Sparks Tire...
Dublin, Calif. — Don Tupper, the owner of Tri-Valley Auto Repair, isn’t located in Silicon Valley, but many of his customers work there and that’s why he said he is constantly looking for new technology to do a better job.
“I’m not afraid to try something and if doesn’t fit, I’m also not reluctant...
Lincoln, Neb.— When his available diesel testing equipment just didn’t cut it, Justin Calhoun took matters into his own hands.
“We have been getting more and more diesels in for repair here recently and we had a leak somewhere in the system on a 6.0 Ford,” explained Calhoun, owner of Custom...
Delray Beach, Fla.—If a shop could deliver up to two more cars per day using its existing footprint, it might consider changing its priming processes to the latest in ultraviolet primers and curing lamps. It’s a combination that increases shop throughput and with lower energy and labor costs.
First...
Golden, Colo.—Bill Lee, or perhaps better known as “Santa” Bill, a beloved local Santa impressionist and owner of Laughing Valley Ranch in Idaho Springs, Colo., where he keeps reindeer and other livestock, received a Christmas gift of his own this year. Jeremiah Curtis, owner of Bodacious Diesel,...
Boise, Idaho—Dave Higgs said that working with a handful of other shop owners about six years ago to revitalize the Idaho Autobody Craftsman Association, which had been dormant for nearly a decade, has had a positive impact on his business, Franklin Auto Body.
“It’s important to get shops together...
Sherman Oaks, Calif.—Nelson Vargues, owner of Boulevard Auto Repair, said his father, Casimiro Vargues, and Mario Pontes, both Portuguese immigrants, opened Boulevard Mercedes-Benz in Encino in 1975, and five years later moved to its present 10,000-square-foot location in Sherman Oaks.
A lot has...
Ontario, Calif.—Not every body shop has the same business model. Most want to do everything in-house, but some want to focus on what they do best and develop a network of professionals for the rest of the work.
“When my dad, Federico Estrada, who they call ‘Fast Freddie’ because he paints so fast,...
Parts & People
Parts & People is published monthly by Automotive Counseling and Publishing Company, Inc., a Colorado corporation, P.O. Box 18731 Denver, CO 80203, 303-765-4664. President-Lance Buchner. Founded by Lance Buchner and Dave Lucia.