Owner: Jim Carlisle
Shop: Highline Automotive
Location: Palos Hills, Illinois
When it comes to running professional automotive shops, keeping things neat and tidy is one important way to ensure customer satisfaction. Highline Automotive owner Jim Carlisle knows the importance of staying organized, as it demonstrates professionalism to both his clients and employees.
Carlisle has been in the automotive business for 13 years, starting out as a technician before opening his shop in Palos Hills, Illinois. Though he's dabbled in a variety of different specialties over the years, he's been honing in on customer service and satisfaction as of late, focusing on being the very best shop owner he can be.
He accomplishes this by keeping his shop as organized as possible. He uses a matte black Snap-on EPIQ toolbox with a gloss trim comprised of an 84" roll cab with a full work station, a 60" roll cab, and a 60" top with drawers. Finishing out his ensemble are two Snap-on side lockers and three overhead boxes, which are 17' wide, 30" deep, and over 7' high.
"I use the box to store, organize, and keep track of all [my] tools," Carlisle says. "I'm big on having a spot for every tool. It helps to get the jobs done smoothly and accurately."
Carlisle ordered the box with extra long drawers to fit more, bigger tools of the same function in the same drawer. He also likes having Snap-on's power drawer with a built-in power strip as a space for all his corded and battery-powered tools. He uses the chest and overheads to store additional tools and kits that come in blow-molded cases.
This particular configuration costs "well over $35,000," but Carlisle says that after over 20 years in the field, he's actually lost count of what his evolving setups have cost him. He says that it doesn't really matter how much a setup costs, though; it matters how much it makes them.
"My tools and setup have made me plenty. I've been able to buy my shop, my house, and support my plenty," Carlisle adds. "When I bought my toolbox, there weren't as many great choices, but now Snap-on is my go-to choice as far as toolboxes go."
Carlisle takes pride in his setup, in which he ensures he has plenty of room for everything he needs to take care of his clients. He has a particular way to set up his own box that he offers as advice to newcomers.
"When setting up [your] drawers, you want to use the top drawers for the tools you use often, like sockets, pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches." He also has some words of wisdom for newcomers to the industry when it comes time to set up their own workstations.
"Try to think of the future and having room to grow," he advises, hearkening back to the way he's set up his own set of tools. "Make sure the box will be big enough to suit your needs years down the road."
For Carlisle, he looks to be more than prepared for any challenges that could occur in the future.
