|
 |
Don came into the industry in time-worn fashion; he grew up in his
father’s shop. Initially, his father, Marvin, operated an automotive
repair business that was about 90% general repair, and 10% transmission
work. When Don was in high school, he participated in a work-study
program that kept him in the shop tearing down transmissions and cleaning
parts. He found transmissions to be more of interest than other aspects of
auto repair, and gravitated towards that specialty. After graduation in
1993, he sought out courses at the local community college to learn as
much as he could about electronics and automotive electrical systems.
Unlike those for whom the evolution of electronics in the transmission
industry posed an inordinate challenge, for one who entered the industry
with those changes already underway, it was just business. “Besides,” Don
asked me, “what are the alternatives?”
That straight-forward, matter-of-fact way of meeting challenges seems
to be Don’s way of doing business.
As Don phased into the business, his father began phasing out their
general automotive repair work. In fact, the transition evolved into
their company motto: “Transmissions...that’s
all we do.” It shows up in all their advertising, and it shows up in
their work.
The changes brought about by the inclusion of electronics in the
transmission industry touched more than just transmissions, of course.
At
Airport Transmission it included the use of computers to generate work
orders, gather data, retrieve technical information by tapping into ATRA
Online, and other tasks. Along with the electronic tools needed to
diagnose modern transmission problems, one other high-tech investment had
to be made: a continuous regimen of training for technicians to keep them
as able as ever.
For Don, necessary training also included the development of increasingly
better business skills. For much of this training, ATRA was again the
source they turned to. Membership in ATRA is something Don not only
believes in, but something he believes no modern transmission shop can do
without. “Access to the technical line, bulletins, ATRA Online, GEARS
magazine, as well as the seminars and programs...
the cost of membership can be made up by helping you solve the
problem you might find in a single job,” he told me.
Click Here to Continue Article |
