Exterior of Aamerco Transmissions in Greenwood, S.C.

According to Harry Frady, owner of Aamerco Transmissions in Greenwood, S.C., “No one should just live in and for the business.” Having a wide range of interests outside the business affords Frady the opportunities to have a positive influence on his community, as well as enjoy some of the world's best barbecue.

Frady holds a law enforcement commission with the state of South Carolina and works with the Saluda County Sheriff's Department when needed. “I've been doing this for 20 or so years,” Frady said. He was invited to take a commission and help with local drug raids. Frady has extensive experience with firearms, having been a competitor in a number of handgun disciplines. The Sheriff's Department felt this experience would come in handy on the drug raids.

Harry Frady, owner of Aamerco Transmissions, pictured at his desk.

He has also taught law enforcement personnel how to improve their shooting skills. “I once had a program where I taught young people to use firearms including competitive air pistols. I coached two young ladies to national championships and both went on to the Olympic development team,” said Frady.

In addition to working with the Sheriff's Department, Frady is a certified barbecue judge. “I go to contests and judge barbecue. It's a difficult job, but someone has to do it,” Frady said. He has also spent time serving as the head of a high-adventure Boy Scout troop.

Frady also has a keen interest in politics. “I have no desire to be an elected politician, but I do have great interest and get great pleasure from working with and supporting people of my choosing that believe in and stand for the things I believe in,” Frady said.

For the majority of his life, Frady has enjoyed motorcycles and airplanes. “I fly puddle jumpers and own an antique airplane. If it moves and is mechanical, I would probably enjoy it,” said Frady. With this mindset, it was a natural for Frady to open Aamerco Transmissions in 1981.

Pictured are (l to r) Billy Brown and Shawn Summers inside the shop.

At that time, Frady was working as a Snap-on Tool dealer and decided he wanted a career change. “Since opening the business, we have doubled in capacity in physical size and grown three to four times in sales volume,” Frady said.

The success of Frady's outside interests have definitely carried over to his professional success.

Currently, Aamerco performs transmission rebuilding and operates in a 5,600-square-foot facility. The operation employs five, in addition to Frady, and does in excess of $500,000 a year.

In addition to transmission repairs and service, Aamerco has a torque converter shop. “We build our own torque converters in-house. We have been building the converters for a number of years. This gives us the opportunity to control the quality of the converters. It also allows us to properly diagnose failures we may have on comebacks,” Frady said.

Michael Revis oversees the torque converter side of the business.

Aamerco also employs Frady's son-in-law, Michael Revis. It is Frady's desire for Revis to operate the business with all the necessary knowledge to continue the business' success. Revis presently oversees the torque converters portion of the business. According to Frady, this arrangement has worked out quite well.

As with any automotive-related business, a satisfied customer is the ultimate goal. To achieve this goal, Aamerco considers the customer absolutely No. 1. “We attempt to make each and every customer totally content with our services. We go, so to speak, the extra mile to make good on all warranties,” said Frady.

Aamerco views its warranty program as its main advertising method. However, Frady points out that word-of-mouth has produced many customers as well. One of the last things said to an Aamerco customer is, “Will you send us a customer?” The Aamerco staff realizes that one satisfied customer can produce upwards of two to three more. “We treat every customer as if they are the most important customer in the world,” said Frady.

Doug Nolff, builder, seen here keeping current on transmission technology.

To continue providing the best possible services, Frady's philosophy is to employ a group of qualified, caring people. “I try to treat each one of my employees as if they are the most important employee I have. All of them are more important than I am,” said Frady. He also treats each one with tolerance, respect and patience. Frady provides a number of employee benefits including an insurance program for the staff and their families. “Sometimes we have simple things. Once a week we have lunch together that the company pays for,” said Frady. In addition, if an employee has been with the company for a minimum of two years and has a child graduating from high school, Aamerco provides that child with a $12,000 scholarship over a four-year period to gain a higher level of education.

Aamerco also allows each employee to maintain his or her own vehicle on company time, as well as immediate family members' vehicles. “Of course, they get free transmission work for them and their families,” added Frady.

An important part of employee retention and business success is to provide employees with the latest equipment and knowledge. “In order to perform the work properly, we constantly attempt to train and educate our employees through various seminars,” said Frady. In any given month, Aamerco has at least one employee attending a technical course or management seminar. “All of my employees are certified in transmission repair and the areas associated with it,” said Frady.

Gary Griffith performs the duties of shop manager.

Industry involvement also plays a key role in the success of Aamerco. This is achieved through various memberships, including membership in the Automotive Service Association (ASA). Aamerco has been a member of ASA for more than 10 years. “I joined ASA because it gives me the opportunity to get information, to meet people with like interests, to get inspiration from other people's success, and to meet people who are smarter than I am,” added Frady. He is not only a member of ASA, he also serves as the ASA-South Carolina transmission division director and is the affiliate's legislative delegation director.

For the 21 years Aamerco has been in business, Frady has seen many changes in the automotive repair and service industry, one of which is the consumer's perception of the industry. “When I came into the industry, there were back yard and smaller, unprofessional shops. The level of expertise required to repair today's modern vehicles has eliminated most of these types of shops. It is much easier now to operate as a professional business and to treat people as a professional and deserve to be looked at as such,” Frady said.

Aamerco has built a strong foundation to continue its success for several years. Frady and his qualified, dedicated staff are committed to their customers and providing the highest quality transmission repair and service.

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