ACtion Magazine - July 2013 - (Page 16)

Member Profile Carlisle Auto Air, three generations strong and counting by Marion J. Posen,VP Sales and Marketing Photo: Carlisle Auto Air 16 ACTION • July/August 2013 Carlisle Auto Air (2 locations) www.caawparts.com 6411 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 1291 New Laredo Hwy, San Antonio, TX Tristan Carlisle, Cory Carlisle, Billy D. Carlisle and Billy M Carlisle Photo: Carlisle Auto Air Billy Carlisle, Jr. has been a MACS member since 1984. Billy’s dad, Billy Carlisle, Sr. began the family-run, San Antonio,TX business in 1955 with a small repair facility. In the early 1960s, mobile A/C service, repair and parts became their specialty. Billy Carlisle, Jr. bought the business from his dad in 1971, and currently Tray Carlisle, Billy’s youngest son, has full managerial responsibility.As a family-run business, Billy sees a succession plan as vital for Carlisle Auto Air’s future and is working on implementing it. Carlisle Auto Air sells all related mobile A/C parts and also carries lighting products, sealing products, and oils and lubricants. In a separate division, Carlisle’s service department performs mobile A/C repair, fabrication and customization and also general repair and electrical. Radiator sales are limited, with mobile A/C sales accounting for 90% of overall revenue and 10% coming from general auto repair. Carlisle Auto Air also serves the heavy-duty, off-road and bus mobile A/C market. Billy explains,“through the parts division, we maintain a stock of heavy-duty and light bus replacement parts.We supply some of the farming industry and off-road vehicles with product, but that is limited. Our service department does repair on many of the ground transportation companies: i.e., car rental companies, and many of the military installations’ ground transportation vehicles located in and around San Antonio.The heavy-duty, bus and off-road area of the business is somewhat significant, but has much potential for growth.” Billy Carlisle has a long view of the mobile A/C industry, so we asked him if he has any concerns about a changeover in refrigerants from R-134a.“We welcomed the change from R-12 to R-134a because of the opportunities.The concern (we have) regarding a new refrigerant or method of refrigeration (i.e. secondary loop), is the general public. Cross-contamination or (DIY) switching a system back to something like R-134a could be very problematic for our shops.Although I despise having the government in any of our affairs, one possible solution might be regulation that limits the sale of all refrigerants to certified techs only,” Billy explained. Carlisle Auto Air has been a member of MACS for almost thirty years.When asked what has kept them engaged, Billy says,“MACS has historically been very beneficial to our business and industry because of the grass roots approach and hands-on involvement in this business. It has paired suppliers with their customers where they are not getting lost in the massive general automotive aftermarket.The technology and information provided has generally been beneficial on the service side. MACS involvement (in creating regulations) helped to make our industry self-regulate when government intervention could have been disastrous. I feel we have gotten good results for the dues paid over these many years. We have used the code of ethics, pamphlets, hand-outs, decals and other materials that explain our association with MACS, and it has all enhanced our reputation.” The Carlisle’s are also avid MACS Training Event and Trade Show annual attendees.“I don’t believe that I or at least a family representative has missed a single convention since the very first one,” Billy said.“I like assembling annually to hear and discuss the automotive air conditioning business and also share insights we have acquired over the years.” Billy Carlisle believes in education of both his staff and the customer. “We conduct A/C classes on an annual basis and have industry experts present the training. Both the technicians and counter personnel are required to attend.We encourage college-level training and support the ASE program of certification. Education is critical and necessary. Both reputation and problem solving (besides profitability) are dependent on educated employees.” Billy knows that his customers need a little education too.“Provide your customers with honest and factual information that can be understood and provide a repair that really addresses the problem.” With a solid foundation and a long history in the business, a clear understanding of what it takes to make customers happy, and the resources they’ve developed through their MACS membership, Carlisle Auto Air is ready for whatever changes may come in the future. ❆ http://www.caawparts.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - July 2013

ACtion Magazine - July 2013
Contents
Outlook
Freeze Frame
Virtual View
Leonard’s Law
Cooling Corner
Member Profile
News & Updates
Motorhome Air Conditioning
How Low Can You Go?
Quick Check
Association News
Classified
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - July 2013