Friday, Sep. 03, 2010

Vehicle repairs fueling shop's expansion

Home-based mobile service opens an on-site office on G Street

In a time when many businesses are scaling back because of the economy, SMS Auto & Truck Repair is busy expanding.

The formerly home-based mobile repair company now has an office on G Street and is hoping to build a customer base for its new on-site auto shop.

"We were strictly mobile, so our office was located at my house," said Eva Duque, who co-owns the business with her husband, Sol. "We had the need to expand so we had a chat [and decided] why not open up a full-service auto repair too."

The recession has hit many industries hard, but not auto repair, according to Duque.

"Because of the economy, it's easier for some people to pay the maintenance. It may be $400 to repair a vehicle but that doesn't mean next month you're going to pay the same $400. If you go and buy a new vehicle, you have a monthly payment," she said.

At its new shop, SMS Auto & Truck Repair, which has existed in Los Banos since 1998, does everything from engine work to brake jobs. Before it had a storefront, the then-solely mobile service mostly did business with small and large companies and municipalities, including the city of Los Banos at one time.

Duque said she also wants the business to become known for fair pricing.

"Nowadays, with the economy the way it is, everybody needs their car repaired but without having to give your firstborn," she said.

The business' coverage area extends from the San Joaquin Valley through the Bay Area. It can be a challenging job with just four mechanics on staff. Duque said her husband, who has been repairing cars for 22 years, is trying to get the business to a point where he can help her in the office instead of going out in the field to do maintenance work.

Duque said the tough part of the business is how time-consuming it becomes. The cell phones are never turned off in case a client needs repair in the middle of the night, and days off can be tough to come by.

"You have to be on it 24/7," Duque said. "My goal is to be able to call in and say I'm not coming in today and know there will be somebody here that can keep it going, do what I do."

For more information on SMS Auto & Truck Repair, call 827-6333 or 827-6336.