Having the right tools for the job is a necessity for any mechanic, and stocking a range that tackles a specific area of a vehicle is always a benefit to factors. Mintex’s Technical Manager, Scott Irwin, outlines the advantages of providing a varied tool range, the benefits and selling points of specific equipment and why Mintex tools are a safe bet from a sales point of view.
Stocking a robust selection of tools offers a competitive advantage to factor businesses. Although some motor factors only wish to stock pads, shoes and discs within their brake replacement section, the businesses that offer a full range of tools often see an increase in profits.
One reason for this is quality and guaranteed authenticity. The Mintex tools stocked by factors are exactly the same as the equipment used daily by the company’s UK technical team, at the firm’s R&D site based in Yorkshire. This is an important selling point for factors, as it helps to instill confidence in their mechanic customer base looking for reliable tools to complete each job to the highest possible standard. The fact that the tools are used within the R&D process also ensures that the equipment is up-to-date with the latest advances in brake technology.
Global OE company, TMD Friction, which manufactures the Mintex brand, invests more than €27 million in research and development to help create new parts all designed to improve vehicle efficiency and driver safety. As the brand’s products develop, so do the tools, to make certain that fitment remains unaffected and that the tools are compatible with the newest parts on the market.
Not only do tools benefit factors from a stock point of view, they can increase the profit potential of a garage. The brake fluid tester is one of these tools. Although most road users and mechanics are au fait with the value of regular oil changes, the health of brake fluid is often ignored. Building this into a routine service can increase the profit potential of a garage, which in turn creates a strong selling point for factors to make tools available for their customers.
Mintex calculations show that, based on an average size workshop with a daily throughput of eight vehicles per day, if six vehicles tested below the minimum recommended fluid level, of which two had the fluid changed, this would result in a potential annual revenue of £14,700 for the garage. This accounts for 40 minutes of labour at £24 per hour, a minimum profit of £3 on the brake fluid, a profit per vehicle of £21 and a payback period on two tests per day across nine days. This shows that not only does the Mintex brake fluid tester speed up the throughput of routine jobs, but it also provides an opportunity for an additional brake servicing business. This should be the type of information that factors are sharing with mechanics to upsell products and ensure they’re getting the best out of the equipment they buy. If a parts distributor does not stock a full selection of tools and accessories, upselling is not easy.
A third advantage of stocking a full tools range is based around reputation and being known as a ‘one-stop shop’ for parts and tools. Given the choice, most mechanics would prefer to purchase all their supplies from one factor, as opposed to visiting multiple distributors. Purchasing parts is of course necessary, but it does take valuable time. Helping to speed up this process for customers can only improve profit potential of the business and help towards creating a good reputation within the local area.
Stocking a robust selection of tools, that caters to a specific area of a vehicle, such as brake replacement, is also a good way to keep customers coming back. Mintex offers a full suite of tools from hub grinders and pneumatic piston windback tools, to caliper cleaning files and caliper housing guide bolt sets, providing everything a mechanic would need for a brake replacement job in one visit.
It’s clear that factors can benefit from providing customers with a robust selection of tools, alongside parts such as pads, discs and shoes. As time constraints continue to be an issue for mechanics within the industry, it’s important that factors keep their stock varied and relevant to working conditions of busy garages. The Mintex tools range helps to do this, and aims to ensure that mechanics really are getting the best tools for the job.
