PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 0921

By Tom Archambault, AASP-MN President

The Road Ahead

I have a strong sense that this year has been very good for most automotive shops. Here are some of the reasons I believe this to be true: New and used car prices are high, inventory is low, stimulus money has been pumped into the pockets of many Americans and people are just moving around more than they did in 2020. By all accounts we have a lot to be thankful for!

However, if you’re like me, you may have noticed a precursor to what may be looming on the horizon. I first noticed it last month when pricing out tires for a customer…backordered until September! I didn’t panic but stored that in the back of my mind. Then a couple of weeks ago we ordered a transmission for a late model Chevrolet Cruze and it took 12 days to receive it! Once again, there is no need for panic but maybe a good hard look into the future and what our reality might look like as talent and materials become scarce.

I truly believe this isn’t unique to the auto repair industry. The reality has set in throughout most industries that it will be hard to find the necessary materials and talent to get the job done. I have seen this firsthand while dining out recently. I enjoyed great food but utterly terrible service based on the sheer fact that restaurants are currently understaffed across the board. I don’t expect this to last forever and I did see steps being taken to fight this issue during a subsequent dining experience in which ordering the entire meal took place right from my phone. An industry that once had printed menus with customers verbally giving the order to another human who then entered it into a computer has now been boiled down to a QR code on the center of the table. I don’t believe this happened to spite restaurant staff – rather it happened in the absence of restaurant staff.

At the end of the day, we need to be honest with ourselves and ask, “What are we going to do to combat this?” Can we find some insight and problem solving from other industries? What are our fellow shop owners doing?

As I have written in the past, I am a huge proponent of leaning on a network and I believe there is none better than the Alliance. Each member has unique experience in running a shop through a multitude of obstacles. If you haven’t already, reach out to another member. Reach out to a shop that isn’t a member. There is strength in numbers. If 2020 taught us anything it is this…we can and we will!

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