Eurotech is changing the customer experience in the auto repair industry

In 2000, Seth Thorson began his career in auto repair at a BMW dealership. Unsatisfied with dealership work, he moved to an independent shop to learn the business. In 2006, Seth found an opportunity through the International Auto Technicians Network to work for and eventually purchase J&B Eurotech in Minnesota, later streamlining the name to Eurotech in 2012.

Seth focused on growing Eurotech by establishing a leadership team, switching shop management systems, and opening a second location in 2019. Today, Eurotech is a leading auto repair shop for European imports in New Brighton and Woodbury, Minnesota.

Learning as a Team

Eurotech operates differently by having a leadership team consisting of two shop foremen, two store managers, and a district manager. They meet monthly to discuss issues and assign a book or video for everyone to review before the next meeting. Past studies include a Dave Ramsey course, Simon Sinek's "Starts with Why," and "Rocket Fuel" by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters. The team applies these learnings to address shop challenges.

Staying on T.R.A.C.K.

Eurotech uses the acronym T.R.A.C.K. to guide management:

• ​T: Trust – Credibility, truthfulness, dependability, shared values, compassion, and growth.
• ​R: Respect – Respect for colleagues, respectful actions and words, clear communication.
• ​A: Appreciation – Actively seeking and acknowledging things to appreciate, expressing thanks.
• ​C: Communication – Open, honest, clear, and concise communication.
• ​K: Kindness – Ensuring every interaction ends with kindness.

Taking Care of Your Team

With the opening of a second shop, Eurotech enhanced its onboarding process, including training on their shop management system, Tekmetric. They developed a learning management system to onboard employees into the company culture, systems, and processes. New hires watch culture videos like “Why Eurotech” and are tested on them. This approach has improved employee retention and fostered growth in ownership and leadership.

Daniel, the district manager, started as a customer service rep and advanced to operations manager. Seth describes himself as the visionary and Daniel as the integrator, emphasizing the importance of understanding roles for business growth.

Going Digital as a Multi-Shop

Eurotech transitioned from a server-based to an internet-based shop management system. A key factor in choosing Tekmetric was its openness to feedback and support for a labor matrix to maintain a consistent labor rate. The team adapted quickly to Tekmetric, appreciating features like digital vehicle inspections (DVI) and API integrations. The shop is now paperless, using a large monitor to display all jobs.

Shop Owner Freedom

Tekmetric allows Seth to access both shops remotely via his phone, run reports, monitor jobs and employees, and manage by the numbers. This flexibility enables him to spend more time with family while staying connected to the business and supporting employees as needed.

Building Customer Trust

Tekmetric has improved transparency and trust with clients. The DVI feature allows Eurotech to send “Meet Your Tech” videos to customers, introducing them to their technician. These videos are updated several times a year to ensure variety, helping customers feel comfortable and in good hands.

The Future of Eurotech

Eurotech plans to open a third location by the end of the year. Seth believes the future of auto repair is bright, emphasizing the importance of ongoing training and education. He advises other shop owners to prioritize training and technology adoption. Leadership is crucial for implementing new systems like Tekmetric, and selling the vision is key to growth. Tekmetric’s features and remote capabilities make management easier and more efficient.

For more information about Eurotech Auto Service, visit https://www.eurotechmn.com/