Thread: Health of the aftermarket industry?

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We have sold our large shop in Elburn and moved the machines back to the shop at home, put them back in original positions and hooked up electric as they were---we are not going to do general vehicle work any more but concentrate on engines and such.
With the masses doing crate engines and not so much custom race engines at this time we are shifting toward doing semi-custom stuff---we have updated our status with several manufactures ( they welcomed our plan) and will be stocking the more generally used stuff instead of procuring core engines, cleaning, machining, cleaning,etc

We will have aftermarket blocks heads cranks in stock or at least the shipping pipeline enroute and customers will have a choice of the sizes, strokes, cc s, cam, etc---
with this approach we solve a HAZMAT disposal problem, have a cleaner shop, etc

Of course, on the other hand, I have been pretty busy welding exhaust system componets---in the past 10 days a twin turbo corvette has left here, did a 3 inch stainless exhaust for 68 gt500 with a stroker 427 to 482 we built, did a set of dual turbo headers for a 434 sbs last night so they could be in a show today and tomorrow and am working up the material order for another 434 efi sbc for 67 Camaro and a set of headers for my wifes 34 ford 3w---and the welding shop wants $34 for a lb of 1/16 308rod

Another thing that will kill a lot of businesses, both small and large, is that they have put all of their eggs in one basket.............only sell one product or service, and when that market drops they are sunk........ie, Microsoft. Kinda like if you made and sold buggy whips back in the 1800's, and then the automobile came along.

The surprising thing about the current economic situation is that not only are Mom and Pops folding, but so are chains that usually can weather these downturns because of their resourses and expertise. Not any more.........more and more companies that we viewed as bulletproof are closing some locations or folding altogether.

Don