october2022 - 43

MANAGEMENT
exhaust shops everywhere in
the early '80s.
FM: What made the four-post
lift so significant to vehicle
repair shops?
DH: Working on the exhaust
was easier to do on the fourpost
lift because the vehicle sat
on the tires. And when technicians
changed the exhaust
pipe, it would be as it would be
on the ground. If they used a
two-post lift and then set it on
the ground, the exhaust pipe
could hit something.
FM: As a leader, what helped
you transition so seamlessly
from smaller tools to lifts?
DH: My insecurities had
become my best asset. I think I
was very insecure, very fearful
of failing. And that just made
me work harder and gave me
an edge on the competition,
I've always believed.
The early success with the
hand tools and with the bender
gave me a lot of confidence, but I was never
comfortable with just that. I always felt like
that wasn't going to be enough to sustain me.
The exhaust industry could not have supported
our business for all these years. I needed to
grow the business, and a few success stories
made that all happen.
FM: What was your management style like?
DH: I was always very much hands on. At first,
I didn't have any knowledge as to what was
needed out there, so I would talk to mechanics
and they would tell me, " We have a big problem
with this part or that part. " And that would
give me a reason to go back and try to develop
something to solve that problem.
FM: What are some business- and
people-managing strategies you've found
have helped you steer the company over the
last 57 years?
DH: Working hard and never letting up is the
biggest thing. Of course, with me, I didn't have
to satisfy any stockholders or anything, so I
just always put the money right back into the
business. But it's been a big learning curve for
me because I didn't have any background in
business development or anything like that.
I haven't changed my philosophy of work at
all. I'm usually in the office by 5:30 a.m. to 6:00
a.m. I leave earlier than I used to now-usually
I'm out of here by 4 p.m.
And I know everybody's name who works for
me. I start every day off with a " Good morning "
to every one of them who I approach. People
need to know what they can expect from you.
I think they know that with me. I may have
to scold them a little, but I will always be fair.
And they'll know that before we ever had the
meeting, because I am always that way.
» BendPak's first car lift, circa 1983.
It was a fully mechanical lift with chains, sprockets, and a single large electric
motor for the drive system. After selling about 200, the company discontinued
this model in favor of simpler hydraulic/chain-driven designs.
Photo: BendPak
» As muffler shops
were trying to diversify
their services, BendPak
introduced this fourpost
lift with a wheelsfree
design around
1986 to facilitate
wheel and tire repair.
Photo: BendPak
FM: As far as developing a leadership team
that can execute your strategies, aside from
working hard, what other skills have you
found over the years that are important to
look for when hiring?
DH: In interviews, I'd ask questions just to see if
the guy is trying to impress me or if he's really
sincere. Sincerity is a big thing. And I think
you can read it in people. So often, I get these
resumes that tell me the person saved their
company $2 million a year. And I'm thinking
to myself, " Why in God's name would they ever
let you go? "
" People need to know what they
can expect from you. I think
they know that with me. I may
have to scold them a little,
but I will always be fair. "
Don Henthorn, BendPak founder and chairman emeritus
October 2022 | FleetMaintenance.com
43
http://www.FleetMaintenance.com
october2022

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