OM DENNE EPISODE
Is your inventory an asset, or is it slowly draining money from your business? Think about that for a second. This small, yet meaningful question can make a big difference in your shop’s daily operations. Most importantly, it lays the groundwork for a conversation about organization and productivity and how companies like Imperial Supplies can help.
In this episode of Maximum Octane, hosts Kim Hickey and Jason Patel speak with Ciandra Patrick, the channel development manager at Imperial Supplies. The hot topic of the hour: Turning your dusty back room into a well-organized shop. A trusted source at Imperial Supplies, Ciandra is well-versed in the subject. She’s seen it all, from coffee cans full of mystery fasteners to random bins packed with bits and bolts. Luckily, she’s eager to share her knowledge with listeners tuning in to ATI’s SuperConference 2026.
The conversation covers the nuts and bolts of auto shop organization, including the best bins for clips, fasteners, and everything in between. The trio also discusses the best practices for reorganizing your shop: The grind of technicians burning flat-rate hours searching for parts, managing inflated inventory accounts, and maintaining productivity. They even touch on the workspace, as Ciandra explains the importance of a clean, uniform space to keep your team happy and thriving.
Tune in to episode 153 of Maximum Octane if you’re ready to declutter and get organized. Beautifying your shop is just one benefit. With these tips, you’ll also reclaim lost labor hours, plug profit leaks, and so much more.
Episode Takeaways:
- 05:03 Kim explains why so many shops carry inflated inventory on their P&Ls, and what it could cost you at tax time, during an audit, or when you sell.
- 07:59 Scan-to-reorder tools, mins and maxes, and a designated approver keep your shelves stocked with what you need and free of what you don't.
- 12:39 Labor is inventory too. Unlike a fastener, an unused labor hour expires and never comes back.
- 14:33 The case of the missing 10mm socket, and why you can't make good decisions about anything you're not tracking.
- 20:02 Organization is a culture issue. Messy shops drive away technicians, and clean, uniform workspaces build pride and teamwork.
- 25:52 Ciandra and Kim agree that every shop, from a one-bay startup to a multi-location operation, needs an inventory system from day one.
- 32:32 Kim's challenge: if you could never charge more than $100 an hour, what would you fix to stay profitable?
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