"There’s a huge quality problem in the industry. I wanted to build a shop that could make money doing quality work, but then I thought I could have a bigger impact by helping others get the profit and quality in their shops. That’s why I started Equip."

The transition from a job with a good salary to independent businessman wasn’t easy. "Tough, very tough at first. A lot of investment," said Gutierrez. And that investment continues today. In order to offer the best prices on equipment, Equip has to purchase an entire shipping container of goods. "I’ll get 20-40 Elektron spot welders at a time and inventory them here," said Gutierrez, pointing to racks of inventory in his warehouse. "Anyone doing quality work today must have a spot welder for OEM-quality welds, especially on the new steel like Boron. We have several models to fit the needs of different shops." Gutierrez noted that Elektron welders performed very well in a recent test of spot welding equipment conducted by Los Angeles I-CAR chairman Toby Chess (see www.autobodynews.com for welder details and comparisons.)

Friends in Europe turned him on to another line: Jollift lifts and collision repair benches.

"Shops always had these huge frame racks, and they were a production bottleneck. We needed lighter equipment that could be used to repair most sedans and that you could afford to have in each tech’s work area. We also needed affordable lifts that can raise the vehicle up to a better working height and save a guy’s back from the constant bending over. I saw Jollift, which is made in Italy, and I knew it was what I’d been looking for."

Mossy Collision, a Toyota-certified shop for which Equip helped design the workflow, has over 10 Jollift lifts and repair benches installed, including two in the estimating bay.

"This shop is about as efficient as you’re going to find,"said manager Dave Carter, "and Brian (Gutierrez) had a big role in making it that way."

Equip Automotive Systems, Inc.

10020 Prospect Ave. A-14

Santee, Ca. 92071

866-362-4400