Lou Guarini, the Cottman Man in Maple Shade, has always worked around cars.
His first job after graduating from the University of Stroudsburg was with Goodyear, where he worked in the high-performance racing tire division. Recalling his days on the Indy car circuit, “I did everything but drive the cars,” he said. His focus was tires and suspension. A highlight, he said, was working with renowned driver Roger Penske “before he was the Roger Penske.”
Transmission Repair Professional
For more than thirty years, Guarini worked in the transmission business, setting up service centers and helping turn around troubled shops for a major transmission chain.
He found it challenging and rewarding, but he eventually grew tired of the constant travel that was part of the job.
Just around that time, he heard that the Cottman of Maple Shade center was for sale. “I certainly knew and respected the Cottman name, and the center that was for sale had a solid reputation,” Guarini said. “It was one of the original Cottman shops, and the longtime owner had served the community well, but he wanted to retire.”
So ten years ago, in January of 2005, Guarini bought the landmark Cottman franchise at 135 E. Kings Highway, known locally as “the auto repair shop at the top of the hill.”
“It’s been a great ten years,” he said, proud that his shop has developed a reputation for quality work, backed by good customer service. “When it comes to customer service,” he said, “I guess I’m old-school. I learned from my mother, who was an executive at a major department store chain, that ‘the customer is always right.’ That principle continues to guide me when I deal with customers every day.”
Transmission Service In Maple Shade, NJ
The Cottman of Maple Shade can be reached at www.cottmanofmapleshade.com.
