Andre's Auto

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021 16 ANDRE’S AUTO 40TH ANNIVERSARY A NDRE’S AUTO Supplies and Services is a complete centre for automotive parts, repairs tools and equipment. Located on approximately three-quarters of an acre with covered facilities for work on vehicles extend to as many as 18 for mechanical and 12 for bodywork, making a total of 30 vehicles that can be worked on simultaneously, and approximately 80 vehicles can be parked on the premises at any period of time. There is also a com- plete alarm system coupled with 24 hours per day security service. The company has been in busi- ness for 40 years and is well known as a Mazda part dealer and service centre. In addition to genuine Mazda parts, Andre’s stocks genuine parts for a wide range of Japanese cars, including Nissan and Toyota. To our credit, Andre’s is the sole distributor of Beck/Arnley World parts, which in most cases surpass interna- tional OEM (Original Equipment Manufactured) standards and are as good as or even better than genuine parts, with the added advantage of being more competitively priced. Additionally, K Tools International has appointed Andre’s as its sole distributors in the island. Craftsmen, mechanics and general users of tools can purchase, from Andre’s a wide variety of hand tools and equipment, all boasting a lifetime guarantee. Andre’s prides itself on being one step ahead in total car care service, and has recently up- dated its stock portfolio to include parts for all deportees. To raise the profile of the com- pany and to address the stigma associated with the industry, the company conforms to high opera- tional standards, a strategy which is supported by its membership of Motor Repairers’ Association of Jamaica (MRAJ), a chapter of the Automobile Service Association located in the USA. The MRAJ has among its objec- tives to promote and encourage fair and ethical practice, while es- tablishing and maintaining appro- priate standards of workmanship within the trade. Due to the fact that a negative perception of the motor repair industry currently ex- ists, which is characterised by poor workmanship, high prices and lack of professionalism, MRAJ members seek to address this poor image by committing themselves to quality repair and the best possible service at a fair price. Andre’s is also a member of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the largest repairers’ asso- ciation in the world. Benefits of membership provide the company with technical bulletins, the latest information on industry trends, in- cluding tools development and ac- cess to the association’s diagnostics laboratories in Texas. With membership of several other international motor organi- sations, access to spares and cur- rent technology is much easier. Consequently, the company boasts the latest technology and equip- ment for auto repairs – mechani- cal, electrical and diagnostic, and an extensive inventory of some 13,000 items and vehicle spare parts and stock. The company’s services may be divided into three divisions, namely a parts centre, service centre and a fleet management division, the key components of which are outlined below. Parts Centre: provides easy ac- cess to a well-stocked warehouse of parts. The computerised purchas- ing department has the ability to source parts and supplies through an established local and interna- tional network of suppliers in the USA, UK, Japan and the Caribbean. Depending on the urgency and location, parts can usually be de- livered via courier service within 24-48 hours. Andre’s has developed a reputa- tion in Jamaica for stocking parts and equipment of the highest qual- ity and are: • The sole distributors of Beck/ Arnley World parts and K-Tools International. • The distributor for Chubb (spare parts). • The distributor and service dealer for the largest automo- bile testing equipment manufac- turer in the world, Maschinenbau Haldenwang (MAHA) in Germany. • Distributor for Motor Information System, one of the largest producers of motor vehicle repairs and techni- cal manuals and motor information systems in the world. Service Centre : located in Kingston, offers an extensive port- folio, which includes repairs to steering and suspension, engine, air conditioning, transmission, and bodyworks undertaken tomanufac- turers’specifications. To complete the package, the company offers car-care facilities inclusive of steam cleaning, shampooing, gloss finish to vinyl, and engine and undercarriage washes. The Service Centre provides vehi- cle maintenance and repair service to both individual and company vehicles and boasts an extensive client list, over the past 40 years, which included Airports Authority of Jamaica, Atlas Protection, Caribbean Cement Company, Jamaica Lottery Company, Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd, Tank-Weld Ltd, Texaco Caribbean Inc and the Tourism Product Development Company. The mission of the Service Centre is to ensure that vehicles are properly maintained by: a) Ongoing, timely servic- ing based on manufacturers’ specifications. b) Providing advice to ensure the regular and constant monitoring of vehicles as an aid to proper mainte- nance by introducing: • a system of quarterly reminders • service stickers to notify custom- ers to have their vehicles serviced c) Production of user-friendly manuals to alert clients of the basics, such as mileage checks, the correla- tion between mileage and service check andmanufacturers’warranty. d) To repair damaged vehicles based on agreement with client, both in regard to cost and timetable for completion. e) To provide a 90-day warranty against defects in workmanship. Andre’s employs highly skilled technicians and provides continu- ous training to ensure that the great- est level of technology adoption and competence is maintained. In addition, Andre’s provides training through Autosolutions (Consulting) Limited to insurance companies and the general public seminars on: • Principles of estimating • Preventative maintenance • Basic auto mechanics • Automobile safety Over the years, Andre’s has worked closely with the Airports Authority of Jamaica, providing repair and service and sourcing of spare parts for their fire equipment. However, recently the company has sought to expand its services and operations to provide fleet manage- ment services to new and existing clients in a more structuredmanner. Auto Supplies and Services