After the housing bubble burst for Cox and Sowders in the summer of 2008, their business correspondence didn't. Already used to the mobile concept, Cox's previous power-washing business seemed to fit right in with mobile oil changing. Sowders, and a mutual business investor, Bruce Headland decided to jump in with the company's first 'other location' partnership for Mobile Oil Pitstop and then eventually into co-ownership positions. "We never stopped bouncing new ideas around," says Sowders, "I've always been an entrepreneur at heart, so when I found others (Cox and Headland) with the same ideals, I knew we could dig ourselves out of one niche that was no longer there to the next one that was just starting the wave."

See A Need, Fill a Need

Part-owner and chief of operations, Gary Sowders explains, " We decided to adapt our business model to servicing primarily fleets. Large diesel fleets that are spread out throughout the U.S.-- They are the ones that save the most money and time by utilizing our service. A, see a need, fill a need, if you will."

Cox and Sowders admitted seeing a trend amongst some fleet companies, in that many fleets give the foremen a stipend towards maintenance, that often occurs at recommended intervals in whatever town they happen to be in; "…at any quickie lube on the corner," Sowders chuckles, and goes on to say, "PM's at any quickie lube on the corner versus individualized vehicle history rapport with us seems to be the clincher with most fleet owners that can't afford downed vehicles. I often hear fleet owners lament that quickie lubes seem to be more educated on how to sell extras on commission than with real knowledge on mechanical concerns."

In 'sit-downs' with several fleet owners, Sowders noted a common concern coming forth: "Is the foreman getting the proper maintenance done and how much down time is this service costing the employer in lost revenue?"

Ryan Cox, part-owner and head of sales relates the warm welcome in this niche, "Our services give companies the alternative to save money by not having to hire people to do the PM services. This helps them by cutting payroll cost which includes taxes, workers comp, unemployment-- you know, the taxes that add up to an additional 17% for a company."

Keeping Abreast On Technology

"When we first started the company, going as 'green' as possible was a real important facet of our business, and that's always pushed us into research and technology," Cox stated, "Technology has been really 'key' for us as we now work directly with the fleet manager or the company's existing fleet management service by creating reports for them so they know exactly what services and intervals are being completed. With advances in GPS technology, we now plug directly into our client's GPS program, so we can insure a seamless service."

On the future of this niche, Bruce Headland, silent partner shares, "Some of our national clientele are patiently waiting for us to service all their locations, now that's a good problem to have!"

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For more information or to schedule an interview, Gary Sowders can be contacted directly: (614) 560-6677 or at: gary.s@oilpitstop.com

www.oilpitstop.com

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