Shop Owner Retiring After Running Business Seven Days a Week for 28 Years
Ken Volland, who owns Ken’s Gas and Auto Repair in Ellensburg, WA, is closing the business at the end of September. He has owned the business for 28 years. During the shop’s heyday, Volland had four employees in addition to himself. Earlier this year, he had to lay off a technician who had worked at the shop for 27 years. The wear and tear of being a technician has taken its toll on Volland as he has back and joint pain in addition to having lost 20 percent of the use of his hands.
Tariff Turmoil, Market Volatility Put Added Pressure on Private Brand Tires
The private brand tire segment underwent a tumultuous 2009 as a result of the global economic downturn that affected all aspects of the tire industry, as well as the Obama Administration’s placement of heavy additional duties on passenger tires imported from China.
Pennsylvania Legislator Proposes Motor Vehicle Airbag Fraud Prevention Act
Pennsylvania Rep. Matthew Bradford, D-District 70, has introduced a bill to penalize fraudulent practices regarding airbag installation and reinstallation.
AAPEX Organizers Expand Education Program
In response to attendee feedback calling for more education and training opportunities at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), the “Inside Track” Learning Forum has been expanded to include 28 education seminars. All sessions will be held over a three-day period in the Venetian in Las Vegas, NV, Tuesday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 4.
Don’t Close the Sale – Open the Relationship
Extensive consumer research has proven that there’s a direct link between positive customer experiences and greater sales results and reveal that when there’s a disconnect between the way businesses go about selling their products and the way consumers want to buy them, sales results suffer.
Outsider Interview: Jim Ruggles, Sr., Bicycle Shop Owner
Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” The same can be said for any business, especially automotive repair. If an automotive repair shop does not stay current and grow, it is at risk of going off track and failing.
Schneider’s Automotive: Rich in Heritage, Quality and Service Excellence
Running a successful shop with a 44-year heritage doesn’t
happen by accident. It takes a lot of hard work and doing
a lot of the right things. Operating out of its Simi Valley
location since 1980, and in Santa Monica 14 years before
that, Schneider’s Automotive is one exemplary shop.