April 2021

W e’ve been rushed off our feet recently. First there was the MOT Exemption catch-up, with all those motorists who decided to make their lives more complicated by kicking their test out of its usual slot, and then suddenly realising they needed to get a test, like, right now. That filled us up for a bit, although with the anniversary of the darn thing upon us, I can see our test-lane gathering dust until August now. Then there were all the so-called surprise breakages and failures. Brakes, batteries, even suspension components have been giving out in surprising large numbers. Our local factor deliveries are starting to look like I am obsessed with coil springs and brake shoes. I think the guys over there are starting to worry about me, or they would be if it were not for lockdown giving them the clue as to why we are ordering the stuff. All this mad frantic work at our end is the result of inactivity on the road. Cars are meant to be driven, and if they don’t get enough exercise, look out. Me being me, it was making this observation years ago and applying it to myself that made me think about joining a gym. Think about it mind you, I didn’t actually sign up. I’m far too busy here keeping all these cars on the road. I do try to take care of my health though. Our recent cake binge has ceased, and I now have the team on healthy snacks. I have even tried to ban sandwiches at lunchtime in favour of salads. Healthy body, healthy mind and all. That didn’t win me many fans here though, so I am trying not to intrude so much in the gastronomic lives of the lads. It is somewhat outside my purview, and you all know how I generally like to keep my views to myself. So back to the work surge, we have needed to be very efficient through these recent months. We were pretty good anyway, but I have tried to make the whole throughput situation a lot smoother than we were managing up until the last few months. I have also resisted the temptation to stockpile the parts that look like they are going out a lot, even if I know they are regular at the moment. The trick is, who knows when this tidal wave will subside, leaving me with a load of bits clogging up the shelves that I can’t shift. Better to order in all the time. I’ve just had to make sure we keep chipping away at the work until things, inevitably, quieten down come late Spring. We can’t give up, and we can’t slip up. There are plenty of garages around here who could start to absorb our customer base if we let things slip. Keeping things moving is about the small details, and everything else above them. I don’t pretend that we are getting everything right, but I know we are not getting it all wrong. We are learning a lot as we go, and are probably going to be a better business as a result. That’s what I keep telling myself anyway! GIVE OUT, BUT DON’T GIVE UP 58 AFTERMARKET APRIL 2021 TEABREAK: MEMOIRS OF A MOTOR MECHANIC www.aftermarketonline.net Healthy Work surge Broken bits Inactivity Details @?!