Clinton Auto honored for family tradition

CLINTON — The old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” has worked well for Frederick Wollin, the second generation to operate the family business Clinton Auto Service, Inc. in Clinton.

Wollin runs the repair shop much the way his parents, Rick and Judy Wollin did when they opened it in 1965.

That family tradition and the successful transition to the second generation of ownership is why the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) honored Clinton Auto Service in May with the Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year Small Business Excellence Award.

“That was incredible,” Frederick (Rick) Wollin says of the award. “We’ve put our heart and soul into the business without a doubt.” Having an outside organization recognize that goes a long way.

Wollin’s wife, Rebecca, the company’s director of marketing, is hoping the award goes even further for the company. “I think it’s a very good marketing tool,” she says of the award, which is displayed in the company’s office. There is also note of the honor on the company’s website at www.clintonautoservice.net.

Winning the award helps show customers and prospects that Clinton Auto Service is family-oriented and has good values, Rebecca Wollin says. That could help the shop, located at 3723 State Rt. 12B, land some new clients.

Rick Wollin agrees, and notes the shop is already doing well this year, with the number of cars serviced up about 12 percent over last year. Quality work, and little extra touches like washing the car after completing service on it and leaving little treats like some candy or an American flag for the Fourth of July inside, are what sets Clinton Auto apart from other area repair shops, he says.

Clinton Auto Service is also benefiting from the trend of more people hanging on to their old cars instead of buying new ones. “Some people are buying new vehicles, but a lot of people are taking care of their old ones,” Wollin says. Clinton Auto Service has also benefited from its used-car division, which has seen strong sales of late model, more affordable cars, he says.

More cars coming in for service is a good thing, Rebecca Wollin says, but the business is also connecting with customers and prospects in other ways. Clinton Auto Service recently held a women’s car-care clinic and expected about 10 women to show up and learn some basics about taking care of their car. To its surprise, about 40 women actually turned out for the event. So, the business is planning to hold another clinic in the fall, she says.

Clinton Auto Service currently employs 15 people and operates a nine-bay repair shop that provides repairs for domestic and foreign autos as well as fleet vehicles. The business also includes a body shop and collision center, the pre-owned vehicle sales center, and an adjacent car wash and detail center.

Rick Wollin says he has no plans to dramatically grow or change the business at this time because things are going well now. “I don’t like to get too big because I don’t have control over everything,” he says. Just like his parents did before him, he likes to be in the shop every day, getting his hands greasy. His parents actually both still work numerous hours every week at the shop.

It’s that work ethic, Rebecca Wollin says, that makes the SBA award extra special. “It was just wonderful to see the accolades given for all their hard work and my husband’s,” she says.

The SBA presented the award May 4 at its 14th annual Small Business Excellence Award event in Syracuse.