Rocky Mountain CFC Sees Opportunity in Equipment Sales
Denver – Mainly known for servicing A/C recovery units regionally, in addition to several other types of undercar shop equipment, Mark and Lynn Cirbo, co-owners of Rocky Mounting CFC Equipment Service Inc., said they’ve recently expanded equipment offerings to better meet customers’ need.
“We’re finding a lot of the smaller shops are adding more bays,” Lynn Cirbo said, adding that the company’s service technicians began receiving inquiries about equipment sales on a regular basis.
Recognizing that most shops prefer to work with trusted vendors, not only for equipment service but sales, the Cirbos said they began selling tire changers and balancers, brake lathes, and parts washers two years ago.
The Cirbos became an authorized service center for Accuturn brake lates and tire machines two years ago. Also, when they purchased Automotive Equipment Repair Services from Doug Harsh, merging it into their business in October 2003, they become a 5-star service center for Corghi. “When we took over the business, we saw a lot of opportunity.” Mark Cirbo said, adding that the most recent equipment additions have been lifts by Automotive Lifts and Machinery Corp. (ALM) and Forward Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Unlike A/C recovery units, parts for lifts change a lot, Cirbo said, adding that a part cannot be fabricated because it compromises the integrity of the lift, so they use only OE replacement parts.
Although service and repair is more profitable thank new equipment sales, the Cirbos said they keep the customers’ interests in mind, first and foremost.
Valuing reputation, Mark Cirbo said he’s honest with customers. “We’re not out to make a quick buck,” he said. “If the piece of equipment is so bad, we’ll tell them they need a new one instead of trying to repair something that will break in two years, costing additional money in the long run.”
Preparing shops for the busy A/C summer rush, Cirbo said he’s created a spring A/C service package that has been highly successful.
“Two years ago, we started promoting spring service for A/C customer,” Lynn Cirbo said. On a service call, the techs go through a checklist, inspecting the compressor, hoses, and other parts known to fail, she said. Also, she pointed out that managers save time and money because they know what condition their equipment is in before the summer rush.
In addition to automotive A/C, the firm sells and rebuilds vacuum pumps and HVAC recovery units, Cirbo said.