Parkland Transmission has loyal customer base
06/18/08
BY MARK WEBER
Red Deer Express
Located in downtown Red Deer, Parkland Transmission continues to garner a loyal customer base across Central Alberta.
The business recently took first in the Favourite Transmission Repair category for the Best of Red Deer awards.
“We really don’t have a slow period,” said Scott Medori, co-owner and manager of the business which is located at 4702-51 Ave.
“The city has gotten so big and so busy, and people are travelling a lot more now than they ever used to.”
Keeping employees in the know on the latest in repair techniques is critical to attracting and keeping a solid customer base, said Medori.
And besides staying on the leading edge in terms of knowledge, it’s solid customer service that keeps folks relying on Parkland Transmission.
Medori estimates about 90% of their business comes through word-of-mouth.
“We also have to try and make sure that everything is as convenient as possible for the customer,” he said.
“If that means I have to come in at 6:30 a.m. so they can drop a car off, or come back down at 6:30 at night to let them pick it up, I do it because that’s what is convenient for them.”
Parkland Transmission offers a range of services including transmission rebuild, repair and service, general auto repair and car care service.
“We try and make sure that when we give estimates we live by them and that if something is promised for Thursday, it goes out on Thursday.”
Medori has worked at Parkland Transmission for 15 years.
This past February, Medori along with Mark Klein and Jeff Tirrell celebrated 10 years of co-ownership of the Parkland Transmission.
There’s actually been a transmission shop on the site, under various owners, for more than 30 years.
Parkland Transmission is also affiliated with the non-profit organization Automatic Transmission Rebuilder Association (ATRA).
As an ATRA member, Parkland Transmission follows the service and repair definitions which are a part of the ATRA bylaws and code of ethics.
“They offer a lot of technical training and technical assistance if you’ve got a really tough problem. You can call them and they’ll help you try and figure it out. They also offer management training which is huge,” he said. “They also enable us to offer a nation-wide warranty. Part of belonging to the association is dealing with other people’s warranties if they’re from out of town.”
It’s a partnership that allows Parkland Transmission and the traveler’s home service shop to figure out what’s happening and what it will take to fix the problem.
Meanwhile, Medori doesn’t just ensure his staff receives ongoing training.
He works to keep himself at the forefront of the latest information. This has allowed him to make lots of connections with others in the industry right across the country. In the bigger picture, the business means more to Medori and his staff than simply offering employment.
“This isn’t just a job for us,” he explains. “It’s a career – it’s our baby.”
Check out Parkland Transmission’s web site at www.parklandtransmission.com.
mweber@reddeer.greatwest.ca 309-5459
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