Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
11/7/24 7:30 p.m.

We did a thing with Milwaukee where they supplied one of our technicians with their entire tool suite and, with him using nothing but their tools, we monitored his productivity before and after the change.  They then did a promotional video with us.

 

 

For two days there were people with Steadicams taking video and drones flying all over the place.  They did an amazing job of putting this together.

 

pkingham (Forum Supporter)
pkingham (Forum Supporter) Reader
11/7/24 7:45 p.m.

Cool!  I'm dying to know the answer to the productivity difference.  Will that be reported somewhere?

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
11/7/24 7:50 p.m.

In reply to pkingham (Forum Supporter) :

I honestly don't know, other than it was positive.  Zach loves them.

The trial period was for a year, and the technician choices were me or Zach.  At the time, I had only been working there for two months, so in the interest of scientific rigor I said it should go to Zach.

 

I am not in the video much since the only Milwaukee tools that I use at work are my 1/4 hex driver.  With that and an extended bit set (and a Snap-On 8/10/12/14mm driver set) you can get a lot done.  I have two batteries and have to swap one for the other about once a month.

 

My bit set includes socket adaptors, so I can use it like a 1/4 or 3/8 impact.  Makes a lot of things go faster compared to air tools.

 

And the first time I did a cabin filter in an Escape with it and my barrel ended Torx bits, I was in love smiley

imgon
imgon HalfDork
11/7/24 7:51 p.m.

Congrats, very cool. Nice looking shop and great video. Cordless tools today are amazing. I have been an electrician for 40 something years, I remember when I got my first cordless drill, it was such a huge deal to be able to drill a hole without having to find an outlet and run a cord. One of my kids is an auto tech and he has gone all cordless as well. It is so convenient to be able to take the tool to the project and not be tethered by a hose or cord.

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
11/7/24 8:25 p.m.

I love ya man...  

Now, with that out of the way, were you used as the "poster child" for inefficiency.? cheeky 

At the 1:25 mark we see you walking and the voice-over is something like, "every time a tech has to walk equals inefficiency"  However you are later redeemed when the voice-over says something to the effect of,  "increased efficiency allowed us to add staff."  

Sure, there are some "brand shots" but my favorite part of the video is that some of the tools are actually dirty, scuffed and most importantly...used.  

Is Milwaukee part of the Ridge Tool empire which is HQ'ed in your general neighborhood?  Did that have something to do with your shop being chosen?  Proximity?  If not, any idea why they came to you?  Either way, very cool.  

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
11/7/24 8:31 p.m.

In reply to John Welsh :

I'll have to ask Corey tomorrow for a reminder at our morning meeting, but fuzzy memory says that it came about when he was at some big repair shop trade show last year.  It may also be RSOT related, which we are a member of (as was my former employer, who you are familiar with).  Milwaukee is based in Wisconsin, it's not just a clever name smiley

One of the funny things about the video is that they didn't like how clean everything was (which is part of the Hollywood grimy gross optics that we as a company do hard to avoid) so they had Zach find some brake dust and CV grease and other nasty crap to make his hands and tools dirty laugh

 

Our staff is five technicians, on two teams with our own specific service advisors.  And a service manager who can pinch hit if necessary.  And a couple CSRs who do nothing but CSR stuff.  Right now we are starting to implement a system where people can see our service board in real time, package delivery tracking style, so they don't need to waste their time and ours calling to ask if their car is done.

RBCA
RBCA New Reader
11/7/24 8:37 p.m.

You may not have been in the video much, but what there was, was Classic Pete.

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
11/7/24 8:40 p.m.
RBCA said:

You may not have been in the video much, but what there was, was Classic Pete.

Are you saying I talk with my hands a lot? laugh

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