Servicing vehicles for KMC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Scott Saldukas
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  No, it's not another Air Force Smart Operations 21 initiative, when members of the 86th Services Auto Hobby Shops here decided to make renovations to their facility providing better customer service, they did it all on their own.

Looking around two separate auto hobby shops, one located in building 2477 near transportation and the other known as the annex in building 2136 near base legal, were using much of the same equipment within five miles of each other, Vaughn Grizzle, 86th Services Hobby Shop Annex supervisor, knew there had to be a better way.

"Logistics was the problem; it was difficult having the two separate locations and quickly servicing the customer's vehicle," said Mr. Grizzle. "Sharing equipment exhausted too much time. If we needed a tool at the other shop and had to go pick it up, it was wasting the customer's time."

To utilize the facilities the best way possible, the hobby shops on Ramstein were combined to increase the centers service capabilities while giving the primary building a facelift. With the help of unit funding, $18,500 was put forward for renovations and refurbishment of the annex.

Although the money helped with the flooring and new countertops, it wasn't enough to get the shop up to standards.

"The money funded laid the foundation for the beginning of the project, and we would not have been able to complete the project without it," Mr. Grizzle said. "However a large portion of the facility was refurbished with over $413 thousand worth of material from the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office and other Field Equipment Transfers items."

Upon completion of the annex's upgrade and re-organization of what services are provided here, more customers are able to be serviced in less time, while opening up more self-help bays for car hobbyists at the same time as opening a parts center. While the annex averages about 25 major vehicle repairs each day, they brought in additional technicians to keep up with the workload.

The annex is able to provide routine maintenance, brake work, air conditioning, tune-ups, computer diagnostics, electrical work and radio installations. Although the annex was capable of doing this prior to the facelift, the extra bays allow multiple cars to be worked on at the same time.

"The Auto Hobby Shop Annex also offers a place to order parts for almost any vehicle," said Eddie Forest, Auto Hobby Shop supervisor. "For those who like to work on their own car, the openings of the annex have freed up room in the self-help bays."

The Auto Hobby Shop assumed responsibility of doing all oil changes and tire services while having eight bays dedicated to self-help.

"The biggest challenge isn't the work itself but trying to meet the customer's expectation," Mr. Forest said. "When someone brings in their vehicle, they expect the same professional work to be done as it would from the dealership."

Creating a better customer care system for servicemembers while dealing with their vehicles was the number one priority and is most beneficial for them, said the annex supervisor.

Mr. Grizzle and his team serve as an example that you simply need to start the ball rolling and take action when you see something that could be done better.

"Utilizing money from the unit fund and taking advantage of other military assets to create a better facility that will better service military members and their families in the KMC was the mission of the Ramstein Auto Hobby Shop," Mr. Grizzle said. "I think we've accomplished that mission."