If it’s not evident by the topics I like to cover in this brief note each month, I enjoy keeping up with changing technologies in the automotive industry. The changes in our industry seem to shift and grow exponentially every year. How can we all keep up?
In addition to staying in tune with what’s coming next, it’s important to understand how the evolution of that technology is put into practice. In order to stay up-to-date on what’s going on with readers like you, I reach out to technicians and shop owners on our advisory board panel for input. It’s great to get perspective at the ground level, to understand what you see in the shops on a regular basis.
To continue to be your resource for tools and equipment in the automotive aftermarket, it’s important to find a balance between the hypotheticals and shiny new technologies, and what’s happening on a daily basis in the bay.
Here are some of the highlights from recent conversations with PTEN advisory board members:
What was your top tool or equipment purchase for the shop in the last year?
Scan tools continue to remain a prominent purchase for many shops, due to the need for additional in-depth coverage, and the necessity to have coverage across the variety of vehicle makes and models aftermarket shops are seeing. A handful of technicians and shop owners mentioned updating or purchasing new diagnostics in some form within the last year.
Shops continue to adopt cordless power tool technology as well, with more technicians “cutting the cord.” One technician mentioned, “I have now completely cut the air cord for over 90 percent of my work.”
As Lithium ion battery technology continues to improve – with more power and longer battery life – we’ll continue to see more technicians purchasing these tools.
“Cordless lights and power tools are among the favorite tools of my techs,” adds a shop owner.
Other takeaways included plans for updating larger shop equipment (an alignment machine, a shop press, a RRR machine), which understandably takes a bit more research for a more inherently pricey purchase. With regards to the RRR machine, the shop owner I talked with said this was in response to servicing body shops his repair shop has partnered with, to service the R-1234yf refrigerants.
What is the biggest challenge your business faces today?
While succession planning and hiring qualified, long-term talent continue to top the list of many shop owners, as it relates specifically to tools and equipment, there are a number of issues aftermarket shops continue to face as well.
Common across shops is the increased need for in-depth servicing of multiple car lines. This translates into the need to have technicians specialize in certain makes/models, or certain areas of the vehicle, and having the proper diagnostic tools to service these vehicles.
Add to that the cost and need for more tooling which continues to increase. This can have an effect on profit margins, says one shop owner. Because of this, there’s an ever-greater need for creating a clear understanding about the return on investment for a tool or equipment purchase.
But, what good is a tool if you can’t use it? Keeping up with these changing technologies requires education and training. Technicians and shop owners continue to find that balance between operating the shop and working on vehicles by educating themselves on how to use tools and equipment, and applying that knowledge to everyday diagnosis in the bay.
Are you interested in providing feedback? Our advisory board provides insight on daily shop operations and changes to tool and equipment technology in a shop setting. You may even have the opportunity to test out new tools and equipment in the shop. If you’re interested in providing input to benefit the industry by becoming a member of the PTEN advisory board, get in touch by sending me a quick email message with your name, location, shop specialties and contact information.
