Tyre repairs on a roll - Women especially benefit from mobile service

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

At a time when many persons have to be finding innovative ways of making a living, 36-year-old Portmore, St Catherine, resident Kern Saunders has dared to be different. Three months ago, he started a mobile tyre service centre, and has had several heads turning with the convenience of his business offering.

Although based mostly along the I95 roadway in Portmore, Saunders is on call and ready to go to those in need of his services.

"The shop is open at this location from 8 a.m. and goes up to 8 p.m. This to serve the customers who drive in, while others just have to call and we are there to cover their tyre problems,'' Saunders said.

It cost Saunders over $800,000 to retrofit the Chevrolet van which he uses for K's Mobile Tyre Shop. He powers the unusual set-up with a generator which is mounted under his vehicle.

Michelle Henderson, who has utilised Saunders' services in a moment of crisis, told Automotives, "this a blessing for many of us, as for a long time I prayed that something like this would happen, and here it is. I got a punctured tyre on my way home, I called and was assisted within three minutes, as this vehicle drove to where I was and the tyre was patched."

Henderson, like many other motorists with whom Automotives spoke, said Saunders' business is a very healthy addition to the Portmore area, especially as many of the drivers are women.

Saunders' retrofitted truck is equipped with vulcaniser and wheel-balancing machines, air-pumps and other equipment used at the customary fixed-location tyre shops.

According to Saunders, the idea came out of the need to make some money after his haulage and removal business became more challenging and he saw the need for a mobile tyre shop.

GOOD LIVING CAN BE MADE

"I used to work at a tyre shop before, and I know that the job is one where a good living can be made if you give proper service to your customers. I checked around and realised that while it is a good business, if I did it differently then it would be convenient to all," Saunders said.

Saunders said most of his customers are female, and he enjoys such good patronage that he has employed an assistant.

"This is very good for me, as I am here doing something that can assist me in taking care of my family. I just want it to grow so that others can benefit also,'' Nikara Lawes, the man who assists Saunders, said.

Saunders is in the process of getting his business regularised for a fixed location, having made contact with the appropriate authorities.