The 2001 “How's Your Business?” survey in the December issue of AutoInc. provides insight into the various positions within an independent mechanical repair business. The survey's finding in regard to number of employees was expanded in 2001 into more specific occupations, market size and annual sales.

City population and market size alter in various degrees the number of businesses and the number of employees necessary to get the job done in a timely manner. Although people cannot be divided into quarters and halves, it is useful to include fractions to aid in determining cross training or multitasking options.

According to the survey results, the average mechanical business employs 1.51 entry-level technicians. When incorporating market population into the equation, the number of entry-level technicians demonstrates only slight changes.

Business market areas under 10,000 population employ 1.29 entry-level technicians, followed by 1.33 for 10,001 to 25,000, 1.52 in areas of 25,001 to 100,000, 1.49 for 100,001 to 500,000, and 1.84 for areas greater than 500,000.

Journeyman technicians are the majority regardless of population. Difference in number does show up within the market sizes. While the average mechanical business employs 3.17 journeyman technicians, businesses in cities under 10,000 employ 2.15. Numbers in other markets are as follows: 10,000 to 25,000 = 2.89, 25,001 to 100,000 = 3.08, 100,001 to 500,000 = 3.37, and over 500,000 = 3.83.

Service writer numbers show notable variation in the less populated areas. The average business employs 1.40 service writers. One service writer is employed in businesses in cities under 10,000. This then begins a gradual increase to 1.19 for the 10,001 to 25,000 population, 1.45 for 25,001 to 100,000, 1.43 for 100,001 to 500,000, and 1.52 for areas greater than half a million.

The average mechanical business employs 1.43 managers. The number of managers ranges from 1.29 in areas under 10,000 to 1.70 for populations of 500,000 plus. The other population divisions average 1.39, 1.35 and 1.38, respectively.

Perhaps this data will aid business owners in determining the size of their work force.

Stat Corner is written by Denise Caspersen, ASA's research management specialist. She can be reached at (800) 272-7467, ext. 236.

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