Performance Transmission & A/C Automotive Repair: Shop Management Transformation with Tekmetric

Performance Transmission & A/C Automotive Repair Embraced a New Method

Artie and Dustin Baxley, a father and son team, lead Performance Transmission & A/C Automotive Repair in Gainesville, Florida. Artie began his career at a franchise auto repair shop, working his way up from tire changer to manager. In 2001, he purchased Performance Transmission & A/C Automotive Repair and brought Dustin on board. Over the years, Dustin advanced through various roles, eventually becoming part owner in 2019. At the end of 2020, Dustin and his wife, Colleen, decided to switch to a new shop management system, choosing Tekmetric. Within four months, the shop experienced its most profitable months in company history.

The Growing Pains of an Outdated Shop Management Program

For 19 years, the shop used the same basic management program, which was adequate for generating and printing invoices but lacked robust estimating and customer communication features. Handling invoices for out-of-town parents of college students was cumbersome, requiring multiple manual steps. Communication with clients was also inefficient, often resulting in missed calls and phone tag. As the shop's volume increased, these inefficiencies became more problematic.

With Tekmetric, sending estimates and invoices became a one-click process, allowing for immediate and consistent communication with customers.

Getting Rid of a Bottleneck

Previously, estimates were done manually with calculators, pen, and paper, and entered into the computer at the end of the day. This created a bottleneck between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., as staff spent hours entering invoices, missing calls, and sometimes making errors. Recognizing the need for a better system, Colleen researched shop management systems, narrowed down the options, and the team ultimately chose Tekmetric.

The Efficiency Aspect

Production was nearing its maximum, so improving efficiency became a priority. The shop could only bring in four cars at a time during the summer, so saving even a few minutes per job was significant. By trimming time spent on administrative tasks, the team could save nearly an hour a day. Tekmetric helped break the end-of-day bottleneck and improved overall efficiency.

“What You’re Looking for is Right There”

After going live with Tekmetric, the team quickly adapted to the new system. The program was intuitive, making it easy to find needed features. Transitioning to using Tekmetric for appointments took some time, but once adopted, it streamlined scheduling and allowed for better tracking of future repairs and appointments.

“Trust the Numbers”

Accurate reporting was crucial for Artie and Dustin. Tekmetric's End-of-Day Report closely matched the custom Excel spreadsheet they had used for years, providing all the important sales numbers and more. The reporting system aligned with their preference for tracking “Paid Invoices” as car count, which matched their business model.

The Ability to Seize Opportunities and Reach New Heights

After switching to Tekmetric, the shop saw record-breaking months in March and April. The increased efficiency allowed them to handle more vehicles and maximize production. The average repair order increased by about $50, which Dustin attributes in part to Tekmetric’s features, such as quick estimate presentation and improved client communication.

“Is It Really Worth It?”

Tracking key performance numbers was previously time-consuming, requiring manual data mining. Tekmetric automated this process, saving Dustin about five hours a week. Features like the Close Ratio, Effective Labor Rate, and Service Writer Report provided valuable insights, helping the team spot trends and improve sales performance.

Tekmetric also supported team growth, making it easier to onboard new staff and scale operations.

More Time for the Things that Matter

Tekmetric enabled Dustin to take a full week’s vacation, staying connected to the shop remotely and maintaining peace of mind. The system allowed him to check on shop progress quickly without constant phone calls, freeing up more time for family and personal interests.

Taking Care of People

Artie instilled the importance of caring for both clients and employees. The shop is a close-knit work family, and the efficiency gained with Tekmetric helped them navigate challenges, including the pandemic, and stay on track with business goals.

For more information about Performance Transmission & A/C Automotive, visit performancetransmission.net