I met Al Oramas at the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference in Aurora, Colorado. I was huddled in a semi-circle with some other shop owners at the opening networking social when Al introduced himself. As the conversation progressed, I mentioned having a story idea on succession planning in the pipeline. Al lit up, and he pulled his son into the conversation and told me he was in the midst of succession from his business—Pro Auto Care—and that his son would be one of his successors. After telling me more about his exit strategy, I asked him—and later Joe Marconi—to be a part of the feature story you’ll read this month, “How to Create and Execute a Succession Plan.”
Succession planning is right up there with developing a business plan and, according to the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey Report, approximately 81% of shop owners have one. Their one-two punch on this topic will give you the steps to take and the practicals to apply to help you be successful in planning this important aspect of your business and life.
This month also marks the launch of two new print columnists: Kathleen Callahan, owner of Xpertech Auto Repair, and R. “Dutch” Silverstein, owner of A&M Auto Service. Each brings decades of industry experience and both are straight shooters with an objective to elevate the profile of the auto care industry. This month, each shares a perspective on labor rates—how to calculate them, variables to consider, and caveats to taking the wrong approach.
In inaugurating these new columnists, we say goodbye to our former columnists, Joe Marconi and Aaron Stokes. These two have graciously poured their hearts and passion onto these pages each month for upwards of the last decade. I’ve enjoyed the candor and the thoughtfulness behind the messages they shared with you each month in their columns.
As we enter 2024, the overarching goal of this year is to get back to basics. There are and will be a lot of new shops opening up and we want to be that first reliable resource they can count on for expert information to get them moving in a strong direction. So, if you’re a shop owner with something to share, let’s talk!
