The 4x4 market is huge and growing, and unless we have another bubble in the economy, I see this market continuing to grow,” says Andy Sokso, of Andy’s Automotive & Off Road.
Andy’s follows its passion and niche
Olympia, Wash.—Andy Sokso is candid that the off-road segment of his business is a niche market many shops may not want to approach.
From left: The front office staff, Patrick Howard, owner, Barbara Hunt, office manager, and Rob Soto, sales manager, give every car a full 39-point inspection.
Star shines brightly on higher ROs
Brea, Calif.—Before Patrick Howard took over the reins of Star Auto Service in February,the full-service shop, which opened in 1987, had always been price-focused instead of value-focused.   That quickly changed.
Marketing Manager Chris Ripper shows a popular combo: a 37x13.50x22 Fury Country Hunter, mounted on an RBP wheel, in the showroom of Chux Trux’s 18,000-square-foot headquarters.
Tomorrow’s techs take center stage
Independence, Mo.—Customizers, fabricators, racers, and aftermarket companies come together each year to the world’s center stage of the SEMA Show, Oct. 30-Nov.
Owner Bill Adams at Adams Autoworx hosts a radio show, Norcal Auto Talk, that has been broadcast on five stations since 2008.
Working for a better industry
Castro Valley, Calif.—Bill Adams isn’t afraid to jump in when it comes to improving his business and being an advocate for the car repair industry.
Shop foreman and former driver Bryan Bertoletti (left) and BIGFOOT Vice President and former driver Dan Runte pose with BIGFOOT 19, which was in for some repairs and maintenance after a weekend event.
Inside Monster Truck BIGFOOT’s lair
Pacific, Mo.—Bob Chandler, creator of the original Monster Truck BIGFOOT, has some advice for today’s 4x4 shop owners.
AirPro Diagnostics’ pocket-size FieldPro allows an initial “health scan” of all vehicles to see if trouble codes are found and an in-depth pre-scan is needed.
AirPro Diagnostics introduces FieldPro Quick Scan Device
Jacksonville, Fla.—As awareness of the need for pre- and post-repair scans rapidly increases, there’s no consensus among insurers and repairers for the conditions when scans are required, said Michael Quinn, senior vice-president of business devel
From left: The front office staff includes Edgar Portillo, service writer, Adrian Vartanian, owner, Robert Sanchez, shop manager, Carol Fregoso, bookkeeper, and Salina Linares and Christina Salas, service writers.
Transition to fleet work pays off
Upland, Calif.—Adrian Vartanian’s AV Automotive experienced exponential growth when it changed its business model from general repair to fleet and commercial, including complete diesel service in 2009.
The 4x4 market is huge and growing, and unless we have another bubble in the economy, I see this market continuing to grow,” says Andy Sokso, of Andy’s Automotive & Off Road.
From left: The front office staff, Patrick Howard, owner, Barbara Hunt, office manager, and Rob Soto, sales manager, give every car a full 39-point inspection.
Marketing Manager Chris Ripper shows a popular combo: a 37x13.50x22 Fury Country Hunter, mounted on an RBP wheel, in the showroom of Chux Trux’s 18,000-square-foot headquarters.
Owner Bill Adams at Adams Autoworx hosts a radio show, Norcal Auto Talk, that has been broadcast on five stations since 2008.
Shop foreman and former driver Bryan Bertoletti (left) and BIGFOOT Vice President and former driver Dan Runte pose with BIGFOOT 19, which was in for some repairs and maintenance after a weekend event.
AirPro Diagnostics’ pocket-size FieldPro allows an initial “health scan” of all vehicles to see if trouble codes are found and an in-depth pre-scan is needed.
From left: The front office staff includes Edgar Portillo, service writer, Adrian Vartanian, owner, Robert Sanchez, shop manager, Carol Fregoso, bookkeeper, and Salina Linares and Christina Salas, service writers.
Owner Rick Camacho at Automotive Consultants was factory-trained by Porsche as he entered the industry in 1974.

Passion for repair industry and customer retention leads to adopting collision repair

Dublin, Calif.—In an industry where things change literally every day, Rick Camacho, the owner of Automotive Consultants isn’t afraid to adjust quickly. At age 65, many shop owners are eyeing retirement, but Camacho is still going strong and embracing this rapid evolution gladly. “I’m definitely...

Pickups dominate specialty market

Diamond Bar, Calif.—Industry sales for the specialty-equipment market, including the pickup segment, continues to grow. In 2017, industry sales reached a new apex of $43 billion with overall sales increasing 4 percent, which continues a multi-year trend, stated Gavin Knapp, SEMA’s director of...
Office Manager Sam Long uses the Mitchell Diagnostics MD350 scan tool to run a pre-scan, saving the shop cycle time.

In-house scanning aids Olson’s cycle time and dials into more advanced system repair

Waukee, Iowa—The adage, “Time is money,” is never more true than in the collision repair world. Olson’s Body & Paint strives to provide “timely services that keep you on the road,” so its addition about a year ago of the Mitchell Diagnostics MD350 scan tool has improved cycle time by keeping...
The 4x4 market is huge and growing, and unless we have another bubble in the economy, I see this market continuing to grow,” says Andy Sokso, of Andy’s Automotive & Off Road.

Andy’s follows its passion and niche

Olympia, Wash.—Andy Sokso is candid that the off-road segment of his business is a niche market many shops may not want to approach. “I started this about 10 years before my dad retired and it has paid off. The 4x4 market is huge and growing, and unless we have another bubble in the economy, I see...
Head Estimator Matt McDermott, owner Jeff Gil, Front Office Manager Denise Gil and Assistant Manager Troy Gil celebrate the shop’s 30th anniversary at Gil’s Body Works.

Old school values lay foundation for new school vehicle repairs

Pleasanton, Calif.—Looking back fondly on 30 years in the collision repair industry, owner Jeff Gil is proud of what he and his family have achieved at Gil’s Body Works. As a former metal technician and painter, this second-generation operator has witnessed many changes since 1988, when he began...
Christina and Phil Harmon say remaining independent delivers superior repairs.

Tool and equipment investments and OEM procedures keep work in-house

Tacoma, Wash.—Ask Phil and Christina Harmon about recent equipment purchases they’ve made at Precision Auto Body, and one brand comes up time after time: Car-O-Liner. The shop has two Car-O-Liner welders, including a spot welder and its most recent addition, the CTR 12,000 resistance spot welder. “...
From left: Chad DeVries, vice president, Trisha Krapes, chief financial officer, Richard DeVries, president, and Mike DeVries, technician, have adapted to the market and outmaneuvered big box e-commerce with manufacturers and local partnerships.

Four To Go goes toe-to-toe with big box e-commerce competition

Wheat Ridge, Colo.—Chad DeVries, vice president of Four To Go, does not buy from Amazon.com - not at home and certainly not at work. He has seen the effects of big box e-commerce and its toll on brick-and-mortar off-road specialty shops, some of which have caved as a result of the tightening profit...
NAPA Echlin Diesel offers exclusive new injectors from the original equipment supplier for several popular applications.

NAPA Echlin Diesel meets increased demand for new components

Long Island City, N.Y.—If you drop a wrench under the hood of a modern car or light truck, you’re lucky if it hits the ground. Aerodynamics, safety enhancements, and added accessories including emissions controls mean engine compartments are increasingly crowded, and once-simple repairs are now...
 
 

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.

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