AUTOINC. ONLINE - Shop Profile

Since opening its doors in 1956, Hardy's Hydramatic of Fort Worth, Texas, has devoted itself to providing the best possible service and quality to its customers. This is evident today by the number of families who return to have their vehicles repaired. According to Kenneth Booth, co-owner of Hardy's, "Our customers return for service from as far away as Florida. This particular customer is just one of our customers who is a third-generation customer." Hardy's has been an association member since the late 1960s when ASA was known as the Independent Garagemens Association of Texas (IGA).

Following high school, Booth began his career in the automotive industry in March 1960 for Hardy's as a technician after a friend encouraged him to go to work at the shop. At that time, Booth had been taught by his father to work on just about every part of a vehicle, with the exception of automatic transmissions. From March to November of 1960, he perfected his automotive repair skills so much that when deer season rolled around, the entire shop took off to go hunting, leaving Booth behind to run the shop. "My boss felt that I was competent enough to run the shop. However, I thought I might need some help, so I had my brother-in-law come in that week," said Booth. That November proved to be a turning point in Booth's life. Upon returning from the trip, the owner gave Booth his first raise and Booth had his first of three children.

For the next few years, the business prospered and built a strong, reliable reputation. Booth continued to work as a technician, later being promoted to shop manager and overseeing daily business operations. In his personal life, Booth and his wife, Evangeline, had two more children -one of whom was their son, Ronny. He began working in the shop when he was 10 years old. "My son has been a part of the business since the summer of 1974. He went through the VICA program in high school while continuing to work in the shop," said Booth. At the age of 15, Ronny earned his first National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. "I guess you could say this industry is and has been in my blood," said Ronny. Hardy's

In March 1984, after 24 years of working for Hardy's, Kenneth and Ronny Booth purchased the business. "When we bought the business, we felt it was important to keep the same business name because of the reputation we had worked so hard to build," said Booth. Another important business decision made was to remain in the same location where it has been for 44 years. It was very important to them to remain as consistent and convenient for their customers as they had for all those years.

This father-and-son team are not only partners in the business, but they are also the full-time staff. In addition to Kenneth and Ronny, Hardy's also employs Codey Stotts, Kenneth's 18-year-old grandson, who works on a part-time basis everyday after school. At one point, Kenneth's brother also worked in the shop, but now works for a local Ford dealership. Hardy's performs approximately 25 repairs per week. Hardy's

Both Kenneth and Ronny believe that to be successful, a shop must be honest and up front with the customers. "If there are other problems, other than the ones you can repair, tell the customer. Like I've always said, _If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when will you find the time to do it over?'" said Kenneth. This straightforward, dedicated way of thinking has made Hardy's the success it is. It also allows the shop the flexibility when choosing advertising methods.

"We advertise very little in the traditional form," said Ronny. "We have always been fortunate in having enough business to keep us busy and make a good living because of the customer referrals we receive." Hardy's does, however, advertise with the local high schools in the athletics programs, calendars, etc. "What better place than the schools? We all try to stress the importance of vehicle maintenance, why not start with high school kids," said Kenneth. Hardy's best resource for advertising is its satisfied customers. This is apparent by the number of second- and third-generation customers that return to Hardy's for the dependable, courteous service. Hardy's

Hardy's also has a growing list of fleet accounts that they have serviced for many years. These accounts include the Texas Department of Public Transportation, the City of Saginaw, the Eagle Mountain Independent School District, Raudin McCormick Inc., and G & K Services.

Ongoing education and keeping up with the ever-changing industry are also crucial elements for the success of any business; and the Booths are no exception. They continually attend technical courses offered by various sources including Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA), Automatic Transmission Service Group (ATSG), General Motors and Bob Cherrnay seminars. To date, Hardy's is 75 percent ASE certified. Ronny attended his first training seminar in Chicago, put on by ATRA.

In addition to technical training the Booths have also taken advantage of the industry information available by attending association meetings and conventions. Kenneth and Evangeline attended their first association convention in 1974 held in San Antonio, Texas. In 1977, Ronny attended his first IASA convention that was held in New Orleans. "We maintain our ASA membership for the important legislative work that is done in Washington, D.C., as well as for the other benefits we use," said Kenneth.

Kenneth and Ronny recently finished remodeling the shop. They began working on the project in the summer of 1999. "Ronny, Codey and I performed all the remodeling ourselves with the exception of pouring the new floor," said Kenneth. The remodeling was done after work and on weekends. "We did it all ourselves because we enjoyed it," said Ronny.

Hardy's Hydramatic enters the 21st century with a fresh look and a continued drive to provide the highest quality of service to its customers. Kenneth, Ronny and Codey look forward to many more years of success.

Shop Stats

Name: Hardy's Hydramatic
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Square footage: 3,140
Number of employees: 2 full-time, 1 part-time
Number of bays: 4
On business:“If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when will you find time to do it over?”

Fort Worth Member and Its Customers Span Three Generations

Shop Stats