Blake’s Remanufacturing’s 40-Year History and Future
In today’s volatile business environment, many companies don’t last long enough to see many milestone anniversaries, let alone make it long enough to see the third generation of leadership. However, despite the odds of the business world being against them, Blake’s Remanufacturing in Denver reached its 40th anniversary milestone in 2013. The company remanufactures crankshafts,
Schumann’s Puts Wet Sump Oil Pump Program Up for Sale
Verne Schumann has been around racing since the mid-‘50s. He knows a thing or two about the industry and so does his business, Schumann’s Sales & Service, Inc., an engine parts supplier located in Blue Grass, IA, which Verne founded in 1970. Now, nearly 45 years later, Verne and his wife are beginning to ponder
Top 5 Reasons Business Deals Fall Apart, And How To Prevent It
A business sale requires the full attention and cooperation of the seller. Take your vacation before putting the business on the market. Then be prepared to dig in, be available and be actively involved in the stages of the selling process. Once it’s sold, then it’s time for that trip of a lifetime. Your engine
Employer Hot Topics For Summer
The warmer weather and longer days can only mean one thing – summer is upon us! With the summer season comes a few things in particular that companies need to consider. Here are a few hot topics: Company Picnic Liability and Planning – A company summer picnic with food, games and entertainment can be a great
Workplace Safety Protects Employees and Your Business
It was a misty, cold and dreary fall afternoon in 1980 in Western New York; pretty typical for that time of year just ahead of the snow for which the region is known. It was early on in my automotive career and I was working at a 4×4 and Jeep salvage yard, rebuilding the manual
Working ‘On’ Your Business, Not Just ‘In’ It
Before I dig into an article about how to work on your business instead of in it, I’d like to share a story with you. Once upon a time, my accountant had to prepare 102 W2s in a single year for my shop. We had so much turnover, dealt with so much chaos and were
Using Price Advertising to Target Ideal Customers
Believe it or not, price advertising is a good thing. I am sure you will agree, everyone likes to find a good value, and price advertising lets people in your community know that you are looking for ways to help them save money. The problem most shop owners come across is that they’re unsure of
Scott Biesanz Celebrates 35 Years of Goodson Tools & Supplies
June 2014 marks the 35th Anniversary of Scott Biesanz’ purchase of Goodson Tools & Supplies for Engine Builders. Biesanz has led the company since 1977 when Goodson Shop Supplies was a division of Winona Tool Manufacturing Co. The purchase of the company was finalized on June 4, 1979 and initially employed seven people. Today Goodson Tools
The Dos and Don’ts of Employee Discipline
You have an under-performing or problem employee who doesn’t seem to “get it.” You’ve told him over and over again but he keeps doing what you told him not to do and you don’t understand what the problem is and why he can’t just do his job right in the first place. Does this scenario
Green Strategies: Recycled Engine Parts Save Profits
The list of reclaimed bare engine blocks on the Kenmonth Engine Company website (www.danamotorssac.com) is enough to warm the heart of any vintage vehicle collector. There’s an AMC 401-cid big-block for $800, five 1959 thru 1966 Buick “Nailheads” for $450 each, a 390 for a tail-finned ‘59 Caddy for $450, a 216-cid Chevy “Stovebolt 6”
Green Strategies: Recycling Options for the Engine Shop
Recycle or dispose. What’s the difference? It’s just trash, right? Not really. The old adage of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” profoundly rings true in automotive aftermarket’s own recycling niché: engine building. We know you set aside your metals from a wide range of vehicle repairs and modifications, but when it comes to
Simply the Best
In the world of competitive eating, Joey Chestnut stands recognized as the champion hot dog consumer – last July, he set the world record by wolfing down 69 Nathan’s dogs in 10 minutes. Eric “Mean” Melin is the reigning World Air Guitar champion as he out-pretended all other pretend guitarists last year in Oulu, Finland.
