Shop View: Signal Garage Auto Care
1. Ever-Evolving Equipment
Rami Derhy has owned Signal Garage Auto Care, which has three Minnesota locations, for over two decades now. And he’s always eager to refine his facilities. His location on Grand Ave. in St. Paul, Minn., is a prime example. While the 1,800-square-foot facility sits in a high-traffic area in an upscale neighborhood, Derhy is always seeking to improve things.
That explains why, in 2016, the shop owner invested in three new Rotary Lifts—marking his second such expenditure since buying the location in 2011. But the investment in equipment helps the small facility address 70 vehicles per week—no small sum, considering the shop only employs two full-time technicians.
2. Investing in Renovations
In a similar vein, Derhy has no qualms about consistently investing in renovations for his facility, which, prior to 2011, was vacant and rather rundown. Not long after taking ownership of the building, for example, he spent nearly $75,000 to replace a somewhat leaky roof. In recent years, Derhy also renovated the customer waiting area and repainted much of the shop.
Derhy estimates that, since 2011, he has spent $300,000 in remodeling the facility
3. Service (Advisors) with a Smile
While Derhy praises all employees, he feels his two service advisors have truly propelled Signal Garage to success. The veteran employees, who have 55 years of experience between them, are always smiling and conversational with customers.
The shop operator repays his service advisors’ hard work by providing them with technology that aids their efficiency, like digital vehicle inspection software by AutoServe1. Derhy says the digital inspection software saves time, because now employees no longer need to waste time trying to “decipher” the handwriting of coworkers. He also feels that being able to quickly snap photos of vehicles helps his entire staff promptly get on the same page regarding necessary vehicle work.
4. Supremely Clean Facility
Signal Garage features one element you won’t see at many repair shops: a chandelier in the restroom. That’s just part of the comfortable atmosphere Derhy strives for at his business. After all, he wants customers to feel comfortable. “When I look at the customer area, it needs to feel like home,” he says. “So we clean, clean, clean, every day. We have an open/close checklist that, every day, the service advisors and technicians have to fill out—you have to vacuum the floors, wash the floors. It’s got to be clean and comfortable; I don’t want a customer to smell grease, oil, and tires and all that stuff.”
Signal Garage Auto Care Location: St. Paul, Minn. Owners: Rami Derhy Size: 1,800 square feet Staff Size: 5 Average Monthly Car Count: 240 Annual Revenue: $1.4 million
