COVER STORY

LESSONS IN LONGEVITY: VETERAN AASP-MN BUSINESSES REFLECT ON SUCCESS

The automotive service and collision industries aren’t always the easiest places to do business, but strength and prosperity await those who have a commitment to seeing things through and providing the right level of care to the motoring public. This fact is clear when you consider Minnesota, which boasts a number of automotive-related businesses that have stood strong for several decades despite the twist and turns of an everchanging profession.

Although 2020 will go down as one of the most difficult times in American history, Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc. (APH) found itself thriving last year as it reached its 100th anniversary. Already an auto community mainstay, the business saw substantial growth during the pandemic, with several recent acquisitions resulting in more than 60 new locations and 600-plus new employees being brought under the company’s umbrella (which now includes Nebraska, Iowa and Wyoming).

“It wasn’t necessarily a fun year [with COVID-19], but the main thing that helped us get through was an outstanding team that kept our customers on the road,” APH President and CEO Corey Bartlett, a third-generation member of the business, says. “The game that we play is challenging, but it’s a really simple one. We need to provide superlative service to our customers; we need to help them get the car off the hoist and make sure we can deliver that minivan to the lady who is going to be back at four o’clock today. What’s allowed us to do that over the past 100-something years is an exceptional team.”

Before the lockdown hit, the company planned to celebrate its first century by visiting all of its locations and delivering 100,000 ice cream treats to its employees and customers. With restrictions finally subsiding, APH held its first event of this nature in mid-July.

A longtime participant in AASP-MN, Bartlett regularly looks to the association for insight and connections while continuing his focus on building long-term growth.

“For us, the AASP-MN membership has been fantastic […] Our goals and AASP-MN’s goals are perfectly aligned. We want to make sure our independent service providers are healthy, and AASP-MN is fighting the good fight, whether that’s with training or with advocacy. We’re proud to support them, and it’s been a wonderful way to connect with progressive and forwardthinking repair shops in Minnesota.”

In business since 1933, Latuff Brothers Auto Body in St. Paul is another operation maintaining success in 2021. Still housed in its original location (with a second building added several years ago to accommodate a dramatic increase in work in the 1990s), the multi-generation business thrives under the current leadership of owner Peter Latuff, son of original co-founder Joe. Peter’s son Will serves as president and a back-end estimator, while his other son Robert serves as CFO. A full-time employee at the shop since 2003, Will has a clear idea of what has driven the business’ success for so long.

“I think it’s a combination of just getting to know your employees and having a worthy cause that people are willing to follow. Our tagline is, ‘Better for you, your vehicle and the environment.’ We believe that applies to all aspects of our business.”

Although known for retaining long-serving employees, recent times have led to retirements and the addition of a brand-new crew. Fortunately, the spirit of professionalism that has been a hallmark of Latuff Brothers Auto Body since the beginning still exists today.

As Will says, “Despite the turnover, the crew that I have now feels like family again.”

Family is also a critical factor at Kenny’s in Bemidji, a four-generation establishment. Founded in 1954, the business has served as a home away from home for the

FROM FAR LEFT: (L-R): Will, Peter and Robert Latuff of Latuff Brothers Auto Body; Corey Bartlett (right) of Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc. with his father, John

(L-R): Sarah Haman and Alan, Karen and Scott Merschman of Kenny’s (Photo by Dennis Doeden/Bemidji Pioneer)

Merschmans, who recently welcomed current co-owner Alan‘s granddaughter, Mary, to the front office.

“She’s the cutest member of the staff!” he says.

Not surprisingly, Kenny’s longevity in the area has ensured customer loyalty.

“Two summers ago, I had a kid come in who gave me his name,” Alan recalls. “I said, ‘That’s an unusual name.’ I asked him if he knew [someone else with that name]. He said, ‘Yeah, that’s my great-grandfather.’ That was our first fourthgeneration customer. If you deliver a goods-andservices product for a fair price and the loyalty to your customers is strong, those customers stick with you through bad times.”

As these and other AASP-MN member businesses move on into the future, their continued success stands as proof that perseverance pays in a challenging but rewarding industry.

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Do You Have a Superstar?

Do you have an employee you’d like to brag about in our monthly Facebook “Awesome Repair Pro” post? If so, please submit their name, job title, photo, number of years they have been employed by you and a brief statement about what makes them an “Awesome Repair Pro” and member of your team to aasp@aaspmn.org. We’d love to feature our industry’s superstars!

AWAIR Program Required in Minnesota

Automotive repair facilities in Minnesota are required to have A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction (AWAIR) program. Any auto repair facility in Minnesota that does not have a current AWAIR program could be cited.

AASP-MN, in conjunction with its partner, Complete Health Environmental & Safety Services (CHESS), has developed “Creating an AWAIR Program for Your Shop.” This online webinar helps members understand the components of an AWAIR program and helps them create an AWAIR program for their own facility. The cost for the webinar is $100 and it includes a 20-minute phone consultation with a representative from CHESS to review the program you draft for your company.

To take the “Creating an AWAIR Program for Your Shop” webinar, log on to https://elearning.

autoserviceproviders.com.