CELEBRATING 50 YEARS! By Nerissa McNaughton
W
hen you need your car fixed, you go to a mechanic but when a mechanic needs their diagnostic equipment fixed, where do they go? They go to Allan’s Automotive. Allan’s Automotive provides service for a wide range of automotive test and other equipment, such as: air conditioning recovery units, air compressors, battery chargers and testers, brake lathes, hand-held diagnostic tools, hydraulic jacks, nitrogen machines, plasma cutters, welders and many more. The company is a major warranty centre for many of the industry’s leading brands, including Mac Tools, Snap-on, Bosch, Hoffmann, and Robinair. “Mechanics don’t fix their own equipment,” says Andy Fisher-Chessell who, along with his wife Connie, purchased Allan’s Automotive Electronics Ltd. in 2007. At that time Andy was working for Snap-on but was looking for work where he didn’t have to spend so much time on the road. Connie’s father was a mechanic who used to take courses from Allan’s Automotive, so she was already familiar with the business. Bruce, the original owner’s son, was looking to sell; so everything lined up at the right moment for the seller and buyers. Although Connie and Andy’s story with Allan’s Automotive starts in 2007, the company’s roots go deep into Edmonton’s history – all the way back to 1963. Allan MacTaggart purchased an electronic ignition for his car and he was loving it. He loved it so much, he decided to make them. His first place of production was the basement of his home, but his little business expanded so rapidly he was into a shop by 1964. Although Allan’s son, Bruce, inherited the company, he decided to take his career in a different direction, so he looked for a capable
buyer. Those buyers were Andy and Connie. Working together as a married couple may seem daunting to some, but not to these two entrepreneurs who couldn’t imagine working this closely with anyone else. When they bought the businesses they didn’t have full-time employees. It was just the two of them, Connie’s mom doing part-time bookkeeping, and a can-do attitude that saw them through the many challenges that come with small business ownership. However, their business acumen was on the right track and soon they were able to grow their staff to eight, all of which were promptly adopted as their extended family. “We have a great group of people,” smiles Andy. “They laugh together. You spend a lot of time at work so it’s worth hunting down the right people.” “In fact, I’d list the people we work with as one of the rewards of running the business,” Connie agrees. Those people are a diverse range of technicians, a shipper/receiver and the administrators that are just as quick to crack a joke with you as they are to offer their expert assistance. The team, whom work seamlessly together, is no accident. Each one is there by design. Connie explains, “It’s difficult to get technicians that are reliable or that have enough experience. There is no ticket or licence for what we do, but if someone has a diverse range of mechanical experience, we can train them. Our technicians also have to have the personal skills to give great customer service because they will be interacting with clients. It took us awhile to find the staff we have now because we were looking for the right fit.” Once again their business acumen was right on target.
Allan’s Automotive Electronics Ltd. | 50 years
The warm hospitality of the staff greets you like a hug as soon as you walk through the door. In fact, by the time you leave you feel as though you’ve been group hugged, even though everyone remains professional at all times. With the purchase of the company behind them, the rapid growth levelling to a sustainable pace and the right team in the shop, Allan’s Automotive is excited to focus on the future. Andy, who trains owners how to use the equipment as well as performing as a technician and advisor, is looking to increase the training side of their business. “I see things from the operations and the equipment side,” he explains. “I can tell people what to do and what not to do because I’ve worked with so many different kinds of equipment. I can usually tell them something that didn’t come in the manual or on the DVD.” Another aspect under development is a maintenance program. “There are so many companies that would benefit from this,” Andy points out. “With a maintenance program in place, it wouldn’t be such an urgent thing when something breaks.” Connie likes how she and Andy are transitioning into managing the company rather than performing the dayto-day tasks. With their capable and enthusiastic staff on board, the owners now have time to focus on improving the shop and their processes. A much-need phone line expansion is underway to take their three-line system up to 10, which is necessary to handle all the incoming calls. They also plan to implement a client-care follow up procedure and attend tool expos to promote their brand. Ultimately, they plan to diversify and include oilfield equipment maintenance in their service offerings.
Yet there is one thing they never plan to change. “We are always interested in looking at what we can do for our customers,” Andy states emphatically. “We try to be a onestop shop and if we can’t do it, we can refer it.” The couple, who admit to learning how to run a business by doing long hours of research after hours, accepting the help of industry mentors, and keeping themselves informed about what would benefit their business, are more than happy to give back to the community. From children’s programs to military initiatives, they look at the causes that interest their staff and work out how to offer assistance (silent auctions, donations, etc.). They are also grateful to their many supporters. “Our customers have mentored us since we started,” says Connie. “Murray Bantam Incorporated had a business in the city longer than us and even competed with us at times, but they have always helped and mentored us.” “Marty from Bettcher’s Auto Services is a huge supporter of ours and says wonderful things about us,” Andy adds. “We try to live up to that.” Marty isn’t the only one singing the praises of Allan’s Automotive. The warmth, service and knowledge of the company is summed up in a statement from their longest-term employee, Linda Hamp. “They [Andy and Connie] are just awesome people and you know you are in the right place when you hear that from outside clients. All of us, the owners and staff, are really excited about the company’s future.” Allan’s Automotive has provided over 50 years of service. Thousands of diagnostic tools and many happy clients will continue benefit from the company’s genuine warmth and experience for many years to come.
Allan’s Automotive Electronics Ltd. | 50 years
Brand Name Parts – Outstanding Service
WSI would like to congratulate Allan’s Automotive Electronics on 50 years!
WAREHOUSE SERVICES INC. AUTOMOTIVE / LIGHT INDUSTRIAL - PARTS & SUPPLIES
www.wsionline.ca
9416 - 27 Ave Phone: 780-469-8060 Fax: 780-469-3857 www.allansautomotive.com
Allan’s Automotive Electronics Ltd. | 50 years