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August 2, 2010
 Holloway Automotive Supply Ltd.
Head: Experienced Staff is Key
Back in 1974, Stan Holloway became a fifty-percent partner of Evans Automotive in Stratford, Ontario. By 1979 he became sole owner and so the legend of Holloway Automotive began.
The first thing Stan did as the new owner—as well as change the name—was move the store location to 10 Dover Street in Stratford where they still reside today. The 8,000 sq. ft. facility added a large machine shop to the premises in 1990. This was a significant move for the Holloways as it allowed them to enter into the industrial and agricultural markets that are big in the farmland area surrounding them. “Our machine shop has certainly become a leader in the diesel machine shop market in the last few years. It has allowed us to service customers throughout the Huron-Perth and Oxford region.”
Experienced staff = success
Along with Stan at the helm, Chris Holloway has been with the company since the early '90s. But they both credit their experienced and loyal staff for their success. “We have the very best staff… they’re very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Wayne Jaques has been on the counter for over 30 years; Steve Nairn, another counterperson, has been here for over 25 years, and the head machinist, Murray Strauss Jr. has been with the machine shop for 20 years. Even the drivers and office staff are long-time employees. “Everyone knows what's expected of them and what they should be doing. There is very little dictating among staff because everyone has been here for so long,” states Chris.
 Expansion was in the plans
Holloway Automotive has four different locations in the area. In 2003, the Holloways acquired two Uni-Select corporate stores—Clinton Auto Parts in Clinton and Steffen Auto Supply in Wingham. In addition, a shop was opened in Mitchell in 2009. Amongst the four locations, Holloway Automotive has 25 employees. These small “Mom and Pop” type operations are very important to the business in small towns and the rural area. “We’re big enough to be price competitive but small enough to care.”
“The longevity of our employees and the close relationships they have formed with many of our customers has helped the success. It’s very important in small towns that staff know their customers and respect their opinions and ideas. In addition, Holloway Automotive has always prided itself on having the most up-to-date parts available for new model applications. Our customers really appreciate that service, and continually look to us as a leader in finding the newest parts available. Whether you're a 25 year customer or a brand new account, you will get first rate service from our entire staff.”
Glad to be part of Uni-Select
Since the mid-90s, Holloway Automotive has been flying the Auto Parts Plus banner as a progressive member of the Uni-Select network. Uni-Select has allowed Holloway’s to have competitive pricing on all hard parts, equipment, paint and body supplies as well as performance parts, and their availability to parts is second to none. Over the past few years the Select Auto Expert or SAX program has been a wonderful addition to their offerings. It has allowed Holloway's to reward their best/loyal customers in many ways. Preferred pricing, rebates, promotional products, and clinics are just a few of the advantages of being part of the SAX program.
Stan, as part of the old guard of Uni-Select members, will still get together with his peers and have brainstorming sessions now and then… it’s good to know how others work and overcome problems. “We can help and learn from each other. Uni-Select also allows us remarkable freedom… no one is looking over our shoulder and dictating what we should do. They give the jobber a lot of room to maneuver in their businesses; they guide us but they’re sure not as rigid as other buying groups.”
 Training and more
The next big step for Holloway's customers will be the installation of the DAVE program in their four shops. This will enhance on-line ordering services, which are currently provided for users, as well as give them greater accessibility to marketing and promotional materials. Holloway’s has also become an industry leader in training for their customers… they have the supplier reps or trainers come in for clinics and invite all their customers to attend and learn. Uni-Select’s flexibility with the suppliers or manufacturers allows Holloway Automotive to do this. “In this respect, we can deal directly with the supplier. Our customers want to learn from the people who represent all of our National Brands such as FRAM, Moog, Blue Streak and Raybestos. Our parts are not in a generic box and this has become a great advantage for all of Uni-Select’s customers in recent years.”
Changes are good
The inventory at Holloway's has always been excellent. They make sure they have an extremely up-to-date inventory. They don’t wait until they get a call about a specific new part. If they know it’s a common vehicle, they go ahead and put it in inventory before they’re asked for the part. In this way, they’re very progressive and ready for their next phone call.
The opportunity is there
“The aftermarket has gone through a significant period of transition with the repositioning of the “Big 3” automakers. There have been so many new models added plus the rapidly expanding import market, the need to stay on top of your inventory has never been greater. There is a real opportunity for the automotive service providers and jobbers that are progressive now. For those who want to stay on top of new training and who have the most up-to-date up inventory, there is a real opportunity to gain market share. You need to be able to change, be flexible and be progressive; work with your service providers even more. In this respect, business will be better for the entire automotive aftermarket,” concludes Chris.
I think by the sound of it, Holloway Automotive and Supply is now doing just that!
Snapshot
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Business name:
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Holloway Automotive Supply Ltd.
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Address:
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80 Dover St.,
Stratford, ON N5A 6T7
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Phone:
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519-273-1499
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Employees:
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25 employees in the 4 locations— Stratford, Clinton, Wingham and Mitchell
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Added extra:
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The shop in Stratford has a large machine shop—a leader in the diesel machine shop market in the area.
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Logo:
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We’re big enough to be price competitive but small enough to care.
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Back in 1974, Stan Holloway became a fifty-percent partner of Evans Automotive in Stratford, Ontario. By 1979 he became sole owner and so the legend of Holloway Automotive began.
The first thing Stan did as the new owner—as well as change the name—was move the store location to 10 Dover Street in Stratford where they still reside today. The 8,000 sq. ft. facility added a large machine shop to the premises in 1990. This was a significant move for the Holloways as it allowed them to enter into the industrial and agricultural markets that are big in the farmland area surrounding them. “Our machine shop has certainly become a leader in the diesel machine shop market in the last few years. It has allowed us to service customers throughout the Huron-Perth and Oxford region.”
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