Co-op Service Center Update
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Service Station Update
1/12/2012
New Manager— Jimmy Kidder has been hired as the manager of the facility. Jimmy has been one of our service technicians for the last few months and has solid prior business experience running a service business.
Re-design of gas attendant area— The area of the station that currently serves gas customers will become a combined service/gasoline customer service area. We will be doing a minor remodel that will incorporate the service desk area into the front of the building.
- During our renovation will need to relocate some equipment that is currently above the ceiling in our office space. This equipment will be relocated on the floor in the space currently occupied by the men’s restroom. Moving forward, we will have one co-ed restroom for customers.
- Elimination of food—The service station will no longer be selling food products other than through vending machines. Vending machines and a self-service coffee station will be installed after the completion of the service/gasoline customer service area. After factoring in the significant commitment of staff labor hours, food sales at the service station, provide us with no profit.
Changes to gas operation— Since the first of the year, we have lost two employees from the gas side of our business. One decided to leave; the other has taken another job within the Co-op. This has allowed us to reevaluate our labor structure as it pertains to the gas side of our business.
- Over the next couple of months, we will explore the option of automated gas service. Automated gas service allows customers to pay at the pump with a credit card and possibly with cash, but no attendant is needed. The current thought is that we will have times throughout the week with a co-op gas attendant available to service our members and customers, and at other times we will not.
Why the changes— Attaining profitability at our service/gas operation is a critical step toward ensuring continued operation of the facility into the future. The steps we are taking and evaluating will result in increased productivity and efficiency of the business. During our discussions with members over the closing of our service station, we were encouraged by our members to make the changes needed to ensure profitability and continued operation. The changes outlined above are our first steps in this process.
I would be happy to discuss these changes and our new direction with anyone. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Tony White
Operations Director
603-640-6572
tony@coopfoodstore.com
