According to Webster's Dictionary, an "association" is the state of being associated ... an organization of persons having a common interest.

People with the same interest - and goals - can accomplish many great things.

In the 19-year history of our shop I have found no other single thing that means so much as association.

Association starts from the time the key goes in the shop door and continues until the end of the day, whatever time that might be.

When Bonnie, my wife and partner, and I open the shop or when one of our employees (our associates) opens up, we always say "good morning" to waiting customers. Our association has started and we are ready to do the best we can for our customers, with whom we obviously are very much associated.

Our customers are the best people in Maine and they share a common interest with our work force - simply put, to ensure that the customers' automobiles are safe and dependable.

To fit the association puzzle all together, we also have to have a good parts supplier. As a National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) Autocare Center we are very much associated with NAPA, from the sales people to the managers to the people who deliver our parts.

We are truly all working with a common interest, and that is to keep our customers happy and to keep them forever if possible.

Association doesn't stop there, though.

When I joined the Automotive Service Association (ASA) in 1990, I really didn't realize how great this association could be.

There are many obvious benefits from being part of the association, both tangible and intangible. Following are just several examples of how we have benefited from being part of ASA.

A few years ago I got a call from ASA member Dave Zwalina in Florida that his son was in Maine and having a problem with his vehicle. All it took was a phone call and the problem was taken care of.

While visiting our son in Arizona last year I asked him to take me to Salem Boys Auto in Tempe, Ariz., to look over its operation. We were greeted warmly by Jamie Armstrong, the firm's general manager, who gave us a grand tour and was an exceptional host.

We also wanted to see Bruce and Janet McLaughlin's operation in Glendale, Ariz. Showing up in the afternoon unannounced is not always the correct thing to do; however, again we were greeted warmly and Bruce was kind enough to show us around his business and spend time discussing "shop" in the middle of a busy time.

We have met some wonderful people through ASA. We have been to some of the finest seminars and classes we could ask for. In short, we have - and we are - growing our business through ASSOCIATION.

Bob Merrill, AAM, owner of Horsepower Autocare in Windham, Maine, has been an ASA member since 1990. He has served as affiliate president for ASA-Maine and earned the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation in 1996.

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