AUTOINC. ONLINE - Shop Profile

What makes Greene's Body & Paint Service, an ASA-member shop located in Northern Idaho, unique?

It's unique, say owners Bill and Shirley Greene, "in that we have always strived to be Numero Uno and that's still our goal." Maybe that's why Greene's Body & Paint Service is still around after 31 years of being in business.

"We've always employed the best technicians and have taken advantage of training opportunities to improve our service and skills," said Bill. "We encourage our employees to seek I-CAR and ASE certifications. We have always guaranteed our workmanship and consistently gone the extra mile for our customers. Customer service has been our goal from the beginning, and our reputation for honesty and great service in our community is recognized far and wide. Our goal is to make the repair process as convenient as possible for our customers."

Bill said they carefully inspect each vehicle at every stage of the repair process.

Greene's Body & Paint Service is located at 435 East Palouse River Drive in Moscow, Idaho. Moscow, a community of 22,000 people, is cradled between Moscow Mountain and the beautiful rolling hills of the Palouse. Moscow is home to the University of Idaho, and Washington State University is nine miles to the west, just across the state line.

The staff at Greene's Body & Paint Service includes (from left) Mike Poulin, Laura Baune, Russell Spangler, Bill Greene, Mike Chamberlain, Shirley Greene, Mike Elmose and Jeff Segebartt.

Bill said he got into automotive service because he has always had a passion for fast, beautiful cars. After high school, he attended the University of Idaho and later the auto body program at North Idaho Junior College. He joined the U.S. Army in 1967 and while in the Army, did sheet metal repair on aircraft. While stationed in the United States, he worked as a body man while he fulfilled his obligation to "Uncle Sam."

In 1975, he and his wife purchased a shop that encompassed approximately 3,200 square feet. "We quickly outgrew that," said Bill, "and in 1981 moved to a new location where we built a 7,200 square-foot, state-of-the art facility. We added an additional 3,000 square feet in 1996 and in addition, have another 5,000-foot building that houses our downdraft paint booth and warehouse."

Greene's Body & Paint Service started as a "mom and pop" operation with two auto body technicians and one painter. Over the years, it has had as many as four body men and two painters, an auto detailer/parts department manager and paint prep personnel. It also has a full-time office administrator/bookkeeper as well as a part-time janitor.

In addition to collision repair, Greene's offers its customers many other auto services, including brake service, front and rear wheel alignment, shock and strut replacement, suspension repairs, tire rotation and wheel balancing.

Bill is certified by both the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). In 1994, he received ASE's and Body Shop Business magazine's "Auto Body & Paint Technician of the Year Award." He has held many offices in various trade organizations and currently, is president of the Lewis/Clark Chapter of the ASA-Washington affiliate. His wife has served as chapter treasurer for the past four years.

This is the paint booth at Greene's Body & Paint Service. The shop does 12 to 15 repairs a week. "Transforming a damaged vehicle to like-new condition is quite a privilege, " says Bill Greene. "This is the fun part of our business."

They became members of the Automotive Service Association, said Bill, "to be able to associate with quality people in our industry and to take advantage of the many educational opportunities that ASA provides. We have been able to enjoy many friendships developed during ASA functions and retreats. My wife and I are always refreshed and refocused after attending an ASA event. The management and technical seminars have always been first-class."

Asked if he could change one thing about his business, what would it be, he replied: "I would eliminate direct repair programs (DRPs). We have seen the enemy, and it is, in fact, us. We have allowed the insurance industry to exert far too much control over our business. Greene's Body & Paint Service has never been willing to give discounts or make price concessions for insurance companies.

"Collision shop managers cannot give everything away in order to get on every insurance company's DRP list. If they do they will not be able to generate enough profit to survive."

Bill said the industry is always changing and he's of the opinion, "this is what makes it fun. The future holds many challenges and we need to look at these challenges as opportunities."

One thing not apt to change is Greene's determination to be No. 1. Its hard work and quality repairs ensure customer referrals and repeat customers. It's what has made them successful, and that's its marketing strategy.

Shop Stats

Name: Greene's Body & Paint Service
Location: Moscow, Idaho
No. of employees: 10
Projected annual sales volume: $1 million
Web site: users.moscow.com/greeneauto
On the benefit of being an ASA member: “ASA is a strong voice for our industry, and we should support its efforts to represent our needs and interests.”

Numero Uno: Greene's Body & Paint Service

Shop Stats