The Jeff Pohlman file
Age: 51
Job: Founder and president of Jeff Pohlman Tire & Auto Service
Home: Hamilton
Family: Wife Ellen and five children: Ryan, Amy, David, Christina and Katie
HAMILTON — The only place Jeff Pohlman Tire & Auto Service doesn’t touch in Butler County is in the West Chester/Liberty Twp. area.
Jeff Pohlman, founder and president, said that could be the next place he expands his growing business.
Pohlman’s tire and automobile service business celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. It opened its first store in 1990 in Hamilton on Dixie Highway and eventually moved it to its location on South Second Street. Middletown opened next in 1993 and later, locations opened in Fairfield and Oxford, he said.
Pohlman has been in the car maintenance and repair business his entire life, starting at 16 cleaning his father Jim’s store J&J Tire. The business is still a family affair. His dad owns two Goodyears in Hamilton, which Jeff’s brothers Scott and Alan manage. Another brother, Eric, owns Eric’s Auto Service on Millville Avenue.
In addition, Pohlman owns Mighty Auto Parts, which supplies auto parts to his locations and other auto service centers. Ryan Pohlman, Jeff’s son, manages that.
Pohlman has 40 employees and makes close to $5 million in total sales.
Q: What is your company best known for?
A: "I would think just offering quality products, quality service and knowledgeable personnel."
Q: What are the major goals the company is working on and how is the company working to achieve those goals?
A: "To increase our market share by offering services our competition currently doesn't offer."
Jeff Pohlman Tire has a complete auto service center that does diagnostics and minor repairs.
“Some of the other tire companies out there are basically maintenance oriented.”
The company has had opportunities to look at vehicle accessories business, but it knows tire and auto services best. “There are a lot of fads that come out of the automotive industry and we stick to the basics.”
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the business today and why?
A:
“One of the biggest challenges is probably just being able to keep up to date with all the changing in the auto industry.”
New electronics and technology, such as run flat tires, are updates employees have to know how to fix and repair.
“Every time the government mandates higher fuel efficiency standards, things change.”
Q: What have been keys to the company’s success over its history?
A: "Again, I point back to our quality, not only the products, but the service we sell...We don't want to inconvenience the customer and if there's a problem, we want to act promptly. People are really impressed when we do that for them."
Q: What do you feel your company does better than its competitors?
A: "I think one of the advantages we have is we try to make the time to find out the customer's needs and find the product and service that fits their needs."
Monthly manager training meetings are held at main offices on Monument Avenue in Hamilton to go over anything new. “We always have a monthly meeting no matter what because the constant training is what keeps them going.”
Last year, a renovation of the Monument Avenue building, which also houses Mighty Auto Parts and offices, was finished to make room for a conference room for training.
Q: Where do you see the company in five years?
A: "I like to think we're positioning ourself for growth. We're getting things in order for some possible expansion...I think my goal right now would be in and around West Chester and Liberty townships."
Growth could be in the form of building a new store or buying an existing one.
Q: How is the company committed to the community?
A: "I do a lot with the community."
He is very involved in local chambers of commerce through Scott Spurlock, marketing specialist, who attends most meetings. He also supports arts, youth sports, churches and nonprofits.
“When I can, I like to give back to the people that have supported us. I’ve always encouraged people to buy in their local communities. I want to see all of the areas thriving.”
Q: What is something the company wishes it could do better?
A: "I wish we could be perfect 100 percent all the time, but I know that's not feasible. We just strive to do the best we can."
Q: What’s the biggest lesson the company learned from the recent recession and how is it being applied?
A: "People are a lot more reserved about spending on their vehicles for maintenance items...The regular maintenance seems to be something people are putting off."
“Actually, we’ve seen an increase in business, but that’s because of all the things we’ve been doing. We’re also helping people prioritize the services they need.”
“Instead of giving a large estimate and expecting it to be done right away, we’re explaining to customers the items that need immediate attention. A few years back, we didn’t have to do that. It’s different out there now and you have to sympathize with people.”
Q: What’s the biggest advantage of family business experience that’s passed on to your company?
A:
“I think the biggest thing is we learned how to go about business with a personal touch. We live and work in the communities, so we see these people. We’ve really got to make a valiant effort to appease someone.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or clevingston@coxohio.com.
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