Two Midwest shop owners explain how Mitchell RepairCenter is boosting their business.
Chase Miller remembers first coming to his father’s shop, Miller’s Body & Chassis in Waynetown, Ind., when he was 9 years old. Today, he’s the manager, and as his father, Mike, looks ahead to retirement from the 47-year-old business, Miller is focused on becoming a great businessman.
Even though Miller is still working in the back, he’s started paying more attention to new software and technology, including new products from Mitchell.
According to Miller, one of the biggest obstacles facing the industry today is the rapid pace that new technology keeps coming out.
“It’s moving at such a fast rate that you almost can’t grasp technology quick enough,” Miller says. “Every year, more products come out. It’s essential to find a way to utilize them.”
The five-employee shop has used Mitchell products since before Miller even started working at the shop 10 years ago, so finding Mitchell as a partner wasn’t an issue.
“My dad used to use the Mitchell Manuals and we’ve always been happy with the company,” Miller says.
The shop, which produces 5-8 repair orders per week, now uses Mitchell eClaim Manager, Mitchell Estimating and Mitchell RepairCenter.
“By using Mitchell, I’ve learned the importance of time tracking. I understand how valuable our time is,” Miller explains. “Paying for our labor is our biggest expense and also our biggest income. If you can use software to educate employees on how to become more efficient, you’ve got to take advantage of it.”
One of Miller’s favorite features of RepairCenter is that it can be used to show employees concrete examples of what is going on in the shop to help them better understand where there is waste or inefficiencies.
“Our production times have increased, profit margins have increased—across the board it has improved,” Miller says. “I use Mitchell’s products to keep things in front of my staff’s face. If they don’t know, if you can’t present them with evidence, they won’t know why they’re being rewarded or reprimanded. People need an explanation. They need to see it.”
