A wrecker was brought in to remove dead cars from the pavement. Trash was picked up. Weeds were cut down and branches picked up around the property. The paved parking area was cleaned and four spaces were reserved for customer parking. Employees were required to park in a gravel parking area. Wrecker drivers could no longer drop cars on the pavement. Finished cars had to be backed into a parking space. A goal was set that once a week the parking lot would be cleaned and trash picked up.

In the shop area, parts shelves were organized. A part that was missing for almost a week was found during reorganization. Old parts and boxes that were of no use to anyone were thrown away. In the process of cleaning, we found nearly $2,500 in cores that needed to be returned for credit. Two water faucets were installed for easier access to water in the shop. Ideas to get air hoses & electrical lines off the floor were implemented. Workbenches were organized. The shop floor was swept and mopped. The floor drains were opened to allow more water to quickly leave the floor. A broom and shovel rack was installed for quick and easy access to these items.

The customer waiting area was cleaned out with the floor swept and mopped. The walls were washed of dirty handprints and pictures were hung in a different pattern. Clutter was removed from around the walls. Repairs were made to a literature rack. Sales literature and promotional items that were either outdated or worn were discarded. Glass that separated the office from the customer was taken down. Windows were cleaned. Service people made a commitment to clean the area once a week and to make sure to clean off all visible handprints.

The office was the final area in the Jeremiah Friesner Auto Service makeover. Unwanted clutter was removed from the counters. An organizer was set up for daily paperwork and another organizer was set up for bills. The office was completely dusted, its floors swept and mopped. In the weeks following the makeover, Jeremiah took to heart all his potential ideas he had for improvement. He has since installed floor tile. Each service bay has its own air hose reel and retractable hanging trouble light. A cleaning company has taken over providing bathroom towels. Jeremiah also started using a price matrix on his parts markup and went to a purchase order system when obtaining parts. He has been able to keep track of returns with more efficiency, and parts are not waiting as long on the shelf for installation. Other plans are to improve the customer waiting area complete with a ceiling fan and heat, and a TV enclosure. Congratulations to Jeremiah and the Associates of the Columbus Branch for their efforts in making Jeremiah Friesner Automotive Services a premier repair facility in their area.