Table of Contents:

• Expanding Beyond Traditional Repairs
• Why Diversifying Your Services Matters
• High-Value Add-On Services to Consider
• Set Up a Fleet Maintenance Department
• How to Implement New Services Without Breaking the Bank
• Promoting Your Expanded Offerings to Current and New Customers
• FAQ

Expanding Beyond Your Current Service Offerings

As a heavy-duty mechanic shop owner, you’re probably used to keeping trucks and machinery on the road, doing the tough work. But if you’re looking to throttle up your profits, it’s time to get creative with your service offerings. By expanding or reimagining the services you offer, you can tap into new revenue streams and meet broader or larger customers’ needs—all while giving your business a competitive edge.

In this episode, we’ll dive into why diversifying your service offerings may be a smart move, some offerings to consider adding, and how to promote these new services to get the most out of them.

Why Diversifying Your Services May Benefit Your Diesel Repair Shop

Sticking to the service structure you’ve always had might seem like a safe bet, but in today’s competitive landscape, staying in your lane might limit your growth. Diversifying your services offers some key benefits:

1. Increased Revenue: Offering more than just repairs opens up new ways to make money. You can increase how often a customer uses your shop for things like preventative maintenance contracts or fleet inspections.
2. Attracting New Customers: By clearly defining more service offering, you appeal to a broader range of clients, from independent truckers to large fleet owners.
3. Balancing Slow Times: Sometimes, repair work alone might not be enough to keep your shop busy, especially during off-seasons or economic downturns. Having diverse service offerings ensures that you’ve always got something bringing in revenue, even when repairs slow down.

High-Value Add-On Services to Consider

So, what services can you add? Here are a few that can boost your shop’s bottom line and set you apart:

Preventative Maintenance Packages

Preventative maintenance is something fleet owners are always looking for. By offering maintenance contracts that bundle regular inspections, oil changes, brake checks, and other routine services, you can provide peace of mind while locking in steady revenue.

Mobile Repair Services

Time is money for truck drivers and fleet managers. Offering a mobile service that can come to the client’s location for minor repairs or diagnostics can be a game changer. This adds a layer of convenience that customers will pay extra for.

Fleet Inspections

Providing DOT compliance inspections or pre-trip inspections can help fleet managers stay compliant with regulations and avoid costly fines. This can be a big draw, especially for larger fleets.

Set Up a Dedicated Fleet Maintenance Department

If you really want to level up your service offerings and cater to high-volume clients, consider creating a dedicated Fleet Maintenance Department. This department would focus solely on fleet management, offering specialized services, and building long-term relationships with fleet owners.

1. Develop a Strong Offer for Fleet Owners: Put together maintenance packages that make sense for fleet operations. Think regular maintenance, quick turnaround times, and discounted rates for long-term contracts.
2. Empower a Sales Person and Strategy: To grow this department, assign a sales rep who understands fleet needs. Their job should be to focus on building relationships with local fleet managers, promoting the benefits of having a dedicated fleet maintenance partner.
3. Position Yourself as a Specialist: ? Who would you go to for fleet maintenance? The shop that treats every truck service the same, or the one with a department focused specifically on fleets? Being a specialist adds value and attracts the right kind of high-volume customers.

How to Implement New Services Without Breaking the Bank

Adding new services doesn’t mean you have to blow your entire budget. Start small. Make mistakes. Fix the mistakes. Optimize the processes. Then copy your strategy for the next added revenue stream in future.

1. Start Small: Pick one new service offering to test out. Maybe start with preventative maintenance packages or fleet inspections—something that doesn’t require too much new equipment or staff, upfront.
2. Train Your Team: Make sure your team is on board and trained for the new services you’re offering.
3. Use Existing Equipment: Leverage the tools and equipment you already have. For example, if you’ve already got a mobile setup, promoting mobile repairs won’t require a huge investment.

Promoting Your Expanded Offerings to Current and New Customers

Adding services is just the first step. You’ve got to make sure your customers know about them too. Here’s how you can promote your new offerings effectively:

• Email Your Customer List: Let your existing customers know about the new services via email. Make it clear what’s in it for them—whether it’s convenience, savings, or improved performance.
• Promote on Social Media: Post about your expanded services on your social media channels, focusing on the unique benefits you’re bringing to the table.
• Offer Discounts or Packages: Consider launching the new services with a promotion. For example, give a discount on a first fleet inspection or a free diagnostic with a repair job.
• Highlight Customer Success Stories: If a customer had a great experience with your new services, share it! Testimonials and case studies build trust and help attract new business. You can use tech to automatically send your customers after sales surveys to make sure they’re happy. Some systems automatically and politely ask happy customers if they’d mind reviewing your business on Google too. This will reinforce your marketing efforts and help your new services department grow faster. Sweetapp is an example of one of these systems.

Conclusion

Diversifying your service offerings not only helps you generate more revenue but also keeps your shop busy during slow times and attracts a broader customer base. With the right mix of services and strategic promotion, your heavy-duty mechanic shop can thrive in a competitive market.

FAQ

How do I know which services will be the most profitable for my shop?

Start by looking at your current customer base. What additional needs do they have? Preventative maintenance and fleet inspections are often high-demand services that can be implemented without too much overhead.

How do I market new services to fleet owners?

Fleet owners care about efficiency and cost savings. Focus your marketing on how your services help prevent breakdowns, ensure compliance, and save them money in the long run. Offer package deals for multiple vehicles or long-term contracts.

What if I don’t have the staff to handle more services right now?

You don’t need to dive in headfirst. Test new services on a smaller scale, see the demand, and then decide if you need to hire additional staff or cross-train your current team.