VIP Tires & Service Announces Successful Start to “Tool Cart Tuesday” Program

Launched in April, new program equips automotive professionals with carts full of starter tools to facilitate learning on the job, better customer service

VIP Tires & Service — northern New England’s leader in all things tires and service — announced that the company’s “Tool Cart Tuesday” program has been a resounding success in educating the current and next generation of automotive professionals. Launched in April of this year, the program regularly rolls out carts full of starter tools to installation technicians, who then learn how to put the tools to good use.

VIP started the tool cart program to help recruit and retain entry-level technicians, and it has paid dividends in recent months, with several new hires to report. All installation technicians — old and new — can opt into the program and gain access to starter sets of tools from day one on the job, or sign up for a reimbursement program if they already have tools. Twelve months after signing up for the program, technicians can keep their tools if they are still employed by VIP at that time.

Active in all VIP locations, the tool cart program is a testament to the company’s belief in employee training and never-ending career progression, offering opportunities for learning that pave the way to better customer service. The value of the cart and tool set comes out to almost $2,000, including a Milwaukee impact gun and all of the other basic tools needed for an entry-level technician to succeed.

VIP is northern New England’s largest privately held automotive service provider and tire dealer. Based in Auburn, Maine, the company operates nearly 70 locations in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. Each store is staffed with ASE and TIA-certified automotive professionals seven days a week, earning automotive customers for life.

“VIP’s tool cart program is one of my favorite things about our company,” said Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP. “‘Tool Cart Tuesdays celebrate everything that is successful at VIP — from employee training to industry-leading expertise and all-around fun on the job. We are firmly committed to mentoring the current and next generation of automotive professionals, making sure that they have all of the tools — literally and figuratively — to serve their customers well. We look forward to the tool cart program growing exponentially in the months ahead and into 2024.”