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shOp TaLk
FROM PLOWS
TO PALM TREES
by Amy Lenard photo Courtesy of Steve Johnson
Canadian-born Florida technician builds
a 30-year career in the sun
Johnson didn’t much care for farming. So, after high
school, he began an apprenticeship with a general
Motors dealership and continued on that path for several
years. he moved to florida in 1980, where he spent the
next 20 years working as a technician and floor foreman
at a variety of dealerships.
Now, after about nine years at Terry Wynter Auto Service
Center, his experience has him front and center in
automotive interviews on television and radio. Recent
vignettes featuring Johnson’s take on gas-saving
gimmicks and better gas mileage have appeared in
local and national media outlets.
“Steve has a unique ability to have
great technical and people skills so
he makes a wonderful representative
for our company,” says shop
co-owner Kay Wynter. “he’s terrific
in front of a camera.”
Johnson works with a staff of seven technicians, along
with a service writer and parts manager. he says
everyone in the service area has special strengths.
“Individuals can’t do everything, but
together we work well as a team,”
says Johnson, whose specialties
are drivability, electronics and air
conditioning. “Each one of us has
a certain area of expertise, which
keeps things running smoothly.”
Ulmer’s Auto and Truck Service in great falls, Mont.,
celebrates 64 years in the business this November. Much
has changed since Clarence C. Ulmer opened the doors
on Nov. 3, 1945.
HUMBLE BEgINNINg
The city’s population has grown from about 30,000 in
1945 to about 59,000 today. And while Montana
remains one of the least populous states in the country,
it nonetheless has more than doubled the number of
residents in the last six and a half decades— from
477,000 in 1945 to about 960,000 in 2009.
Three generations and 64 years in business make
Ulmer’s Auto a Montana landmark
by Eric Lingaur photos courtesy of Ulmer’s Automotive
Clarence Ulmer got his start in the automotive service
business working at various dealerships as an
independent owner. Before World War II, area dealerships
for manufacturers such as Plymouth, hudson and
Nash didn’t run their own service departments and
subcontracted independents to operate them.
After the war ended, Ulmer decided he wanted to start
his own shop. Money was tight at that time, but his wife
Drusilla had been saving for a home, so the couple
used their house fund to start the business. The building
But while Montana has changed, the family at Ulmer’s permit for Ulmer’s was the first issued in great falls after
he spends a lot of time pouring over service manuals,
Auto hasn’t. It’s currently managed by greg Ulmer, the World War II ended, and Ulmer’s has remained in the
but senior technician Steve Johnson sometimes feels
grandson of Clarence Ulmer.
same location ever since.
like he’s in the middle of his own mystery novel.
A car enthusiast to the core, Johnson says he recently
“When you work a family business you only have to work When the shop opened, Ulmer’s Auto had only one
“Being a technician is a lot like being a detective,” he says. downsized his personal fleet of vehicles so he could
half a day, just pick which 12 hours you want to work,” building and four service bays. The staff consisted of
“Someone brings you a problem and you have to analyze purchase a leisure boat for cruising around the florida
says greg Ulmer.
Clarence Ulmer and three mechanics. In the years that
the clues, come up with a theory and solve the mystery coastline with his wife Janis and their two adult sons.
Ulmer’s is a long-time TSS affiliate and an all-makes
followed, the shop has been expanded twice; it now
before you repair the vehicle.”
But he still has a 2002 Corvette, 1969 Chevelle, 1986
all-models service center that performs a variety of auto
houses seven bays, employs five technicians and one
Johnson is an integral member of the service team
Jaguar XJS Coupe and 1989 Mazda RX-7, in addition
and truck repair, as well as some fabrication. It also
assistant technician. Several of Ulmer’s technicians
at Terry Wynter Auto Service Center, a Total Service
to the half-ton pickup truck he drives to work.
services many area vehicle fleet accounts, some of
have worked there for more than 15 years, and all of the
Support shop in fort Myers, fla. he’s also an avid drag Literally and figuratively, Johnson has come a long
which have been customers for more than 35 years.
Ulmer’s employees are considered part of the family.
racer, classic car enthusiast and hot-rod builder who’s way from the farmland of Ontario, but a successful
Ulmer’s prides itself in providing personal service at Clarence Ulmer ran the shop from 1945 to 1980. he
been adept at mechanical service since growing up on career of more than 30 years proves the automotive
competitive prices and really takes the time to get to handed the reins to his son gary, but returned to the
a farm in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where repairing and industry offers plenty to a technician who’s dedicated
know their customers. They have many customers that shop every day until he passed away at the age of 84.
maintaining equipment was a way of life.
to his vocation. n
have been coming in for more than 40 years.
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