Lake County, Ind.-based Mac Tools distributor Dana Bourne takes a more tech-friendly approach to his business, to help save time. One way he has done this is by using a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet, in lieu of a traditional laptop computer, to conduct business and manage customer orders on his truck. This tablet, along with a Bluetooth-enabled printer, gives him the mobility to complete transactions in the shop.
This allows him to avoid running back and forth between the truck and shop with payments and receipts at every stop.
“This system here has saved me 45 minutes a day,” Bourne explains. “I was able to add one or two more shops. Or, just go home early. That’s worth it right there.”
This added efficiency hasn’t affected truck foot traffic, Bourne says. he sees about the same number of customers on his truck that he had before printing receipts in the shop.
Also for efficiency, Bourne utilizes a modified wheeled bag to tote and promote tools in customer shops. He’ll place a variety of items in the tote – anywhere from specials, to items he’s looking to sell off.
“I try to make something different every week for the guys,” Bourne says.
Bourne has been running his route for about three years.
Prior to becoming a tool dealer, Bourne spent his entire professional career in the automotive world – working at a Chevy dealership, managing a Firestone and turning wrenches at another Goodyear. He transitioned to the tool selling business because “this is a lot easier, and there’s room for growth.”
He says his past experience provides him the opportunity to connect with techs, and understand what they need.
“I don’t consider myself a salesman, the product sells itself. All I do is make points about how it would help them. The more information you give them, the more you can justify the cost of it.”
Covering about 270 miles per week, Bourne’s route services a number of Indiana communities just southeast of Chicago on the Illinois border.
Bourne currently has one employee that runs a route just west of his, in Illinois. He hopes to expand with a third route sometime in the near future.
“The biggest thing right now is I’m just waiting for my second truck to stabilize, because we just started in March (2016),” Bourne says. “He’s got to get some profit running before I can think about doing a third.”
