Wade's Automotive rides through 50 years of change

After five decades in the business, Wade's Automotive LLC has weathered many economic cycles, but owner Don Williams chalks up this year as one of the more challenging.

Like many businesses, Williams has seen his auto shop's revenues plummet during 2009's dismal economic climate.

Though he declined to provide specific figures, Williams said his company's revenues are down by at least 25 percent.

On the bright side, however, he expects a sharp increase in business as the weather turns cold.

"A motor doesn't like cold weather," Williams said. "The seals and everything get stiff and things start to go. In fact, we're starting to see it now with the weather change we've just had."

Williams' father, Wade, began the business in 1959 as a Phillips 66 dealer, selling gas, batteries, tires, oil and additives. At that time, the company was called Wade's 66.

In the 1980s, Don Williams said Phillips 66 began tearing down its gas stations and building convenience stores. In the fall of 1986 - the same year his father retired - Williams moved the shop to its current location, ending the shop's association with Phillips 66. He stopped selling gas in 1990 and has focused solely on auto repair since.

Though some car owners might disagree, Williams believes computerization and modern sophistication has made it easier for mechanics to diagnose problems with vehicles.

"The customers are saying they are awful because they can't work on them themselves, but the cars are smarter and there's more information a car can give to you," he said.

Standing behind service

Williams has two full-time and one part-time technician. One technician's specialty is power windows, which Williams said can be a challenge.

"And then we do heavier work, too, which a lot of shops like Wal-Mart or fast-lube shops don't do," he said, noting that Wade's Automotive technicians can handle complicated service jobs including engine teardowns, intakes, exhaust manifolds and water pumps.

Master technician Todd Woltz, who has worked at Wade's since 1984, said the shop has stayed competitive by being honest with customers.

"You need to trust your mechanic and your shop," Woltz said.

Sometimes new customers will come in with work tickets from other repair shops, presenting an opportunity to foster that trust.

"We can look at them and evaluate what the charges were for and what was done, and we can see ... where parts were overpriced and labor charges were outrageous," Woltz said.

Amy Waldrop, CEO of Employment Supports Inc., has been a customer of Williams' shop for 24 years.

"It's most important to me to have a mechanic that I can trust, somebody who knows what he is doing and somebody who doesn't take advantage of those of us who don't know about cars," Waldrop said. "Don stands behind all the works he's ever done and charges very reasonable prices and does excellent work."

Community connections

Waldrop's husband, Gary, met Wade Williams through the North Springfield Betterment Association, which sponsors community projects. In 1986, the year Williams died, the association began the Wade Williams Scholarship Endowment Fund for Central High School and Hillcrest High School graduating seniors.

Following in his father's civic-mindedness, Don Williams has always extended himself to the community by working with various community organizations. Those include Waldrop's company, which helps people with disabilities to find, learn about and maintain competitive employment.

Anytime one of Waldrop's clients wants to experience a work site and culture in the automotive field, she calls Williams, who never turns her down.

"He's always willing to give people who have disabilities a chance and an opportunity to prove themselves," Waldrop said.[[In-content Ad]]