Jiffy Lube Adding Technology and Services to Benefit Customers

April 24, 2016

Written By Adam Buckallew

MFA Oil’s Jiffy Lube franchises have been providing fast and friendly service to mid-Missouri motorists since 1988. The company currently operates eight Jiffy Lube stores with four in Columbia, two in Jefferson City, and one each in Fulton and Sedalia.

When customers visit any of the MFA Oil-owned Jiffy Lube service centers, they will find knowledgeable advisers who can handle all their preventive service needs based on driving habits and the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Recently, Jiffy Lube International updated its point of sale (POS) system to streamline vehicle check-ins. The system uses scanners to look for vehicle identification numbers (VIN).

“The VIN scanners automatically download each vehicle’s information directly into the computer system,” explains Ed Harper, MFA Oil vice president of retail automotive. “This saves our employees time and helps to make our customers’ visits fast and efficient.”

Harper says all of MFA Oil’s stores have received the state-of-the-art VIN scanning equipment and updates to their POS systems. Employees will use computer tablets when working through vehicle maintenance recommendations with customers.

“Rather than calling customers over to the service counter, our technicians will now be able to sit down with customers to walk them through all the preventive care their vehicle requires,” Harper notes.

In response to customers driving their cars longer between oil changes, Jiffy Lube has increased its service offerings to include state vehicle inspections and brake service at some locations. Adding services increases Jiffy Lube’s average ticket size and contributes to higher net earnings.

The Jiffy Lube service center on Worley St. in Columbia, for example, is able to perform repairs on breaks, steering and suspension, electrical systems, heating and cooling and hybrid battery replacements. Jiffy Lube mechanic Tony Rivera has been certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence to handle all of these service options.

“We’re very proud of what Tony is doing and how he’s helping us bring new automotive service repair options to our customers,” Harper says. “We’re hoping to add more certified individuals like Tony to work in our other service centers.”

Overall, Harper is proud of the contributions Jiffy Lube makes to the company.

“Jiffy Lube has been a great investment for MFA Oil,” Harper adds. “Our stores generate a good return for the company. Last year, the Jiffy Lube division beat its net earnings record, which had been set in 1999, by 17 percent.”

The company’s Jiffy Lube operations provide other benefits beyond earnings. According to Harper, 94 percent of all the motor oil sold in the company-owned Jiffy Lube stores is from MFA Oil.

“Selling our MFA Oil motor oils to consumer motorists helps to build customer awareness and recognition of our lubricants business,” Harper says.

The mid-Missouri Jiffy Lube stores have also proved to be a great source of employee development.

“A number of MFA Oil employees started by working in our Jiffy Lube stores and have then been promoted to other areas of the company,” Harper points out. “It’s a great environment for employees to grow and become future leaders in the company.”