Bolt On Technology: A leader in Shop Management Software, designing cutting edge technology for the Automotive Repair & Maintenance industry

“Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.” – William Pollard

Founded in 2008, Bolt On Technology, LLC initially began its operations in the back of an auto repair shop. Years later, it entered into a strategic partnership that caused its growth to skyrocket. In 2012 Bolt On licensed its technology to industry-giant Mitchell 1. As a leader in SMS and information in the automotive aftermarket, Mitchell 1’s partnership brought increased credibility to the Bolt On brand, and gave founder and CEO Michael Risich even more confidence in Bolt On’s product.

With plenty of early adopters on board, the company started obtaining 80 to 100 new shops per month. By the end of the year, Bolt On had doubled its number of employees. As of April 1, the company has expanded its workforce 150% in the past 12 months.

Key partnerships within the industry have positioned Bolt On Technology as a solution for shop owners who are interested in being more efficient, productive, and professional. The most recent partnership with TECHNET Professional Auto Service, from Advance Auto Parts, puts the brand in front of thousands of service centers across North America.

Bolt On Technology’s two-way real-time integration, and streamlined workflow, transforms the typical independent auto repair shop into a well-oiled, franchise-like machine. The auto repair business model itself becomes more efficient for the shop owner who is looking for increased car counts and average repair order pricing, while the shop owner who is planning to expand gets a business model that is both scalable and duplicable.

Bolt On Technology pockets some of the prestigious clients such as Mitchell 1, CARFAX, TECHNET Professional Auto Service, ATI (Automotive Training Institute,) and NAPA TRACS. Geographically, their clientele is all across the US, Canada, Guam, and Puerto Rico

Being different amongst competitors
The company takes pride in being the ONLY software solution that takes information from the shop management systems AND writes information to it, aside from the sustainable best practices they introduce to the shops. The closest competitor requires users to re-enter any information that is gathered with their tools, duplicating time and effort.

Bolt On Technology offers uniqueness through their flagship product, ‘Mobile Manager Pro’, which allows technicians to complete digital inspections, instead of having to write them down. They also send pictures from the inspection along with the inspection report, so customers can see exactly what is wrong with the vehicle, thus creating transparency between the shop and the vehicle owner and now the vehicle owner can make informed decisions. One of the moments that brought laurels to them is when Ron Shanas, one of the most recent hires described Bolt On Technology as “the company making the most noise in the shop management software solution industry” because of the company’s two-way real-time integration with current shop management systems(SMS). Being the only “bolt on solution” able to write information to the SMS database, as well as read from it, the Bolt On brand is positioned ahead of the nearest competitors.

Client Testimonial
“Nothing has really been as all-encompassing as this,” Leigh Anne Best, co-owner of Mighty Auto Pro said. In terms of expanding the shop’s 450-car-per-month bottom line, Leigh Anne said the application’s ability to take and text photos of customer vehicles have helped increase repair orders by 30%. Prior to Mobile Manager Pro, she said the shop took its own photos. As part of a week-long test, she said some techs were tasked with taking photos of vehicle conditions to share with customers, while the rest were told not to take photos. “[Sales] were up about 30%, the people with pictures versus without,” she said. “Resoundingly the results were so much better with sales.”

‘Innovation’ being their ultimate yearning
Bolt On Technology’s primary focus area is, and always will be, relentless innovation in solutions that make shops more efficient, more productive, and look more professional. They are constantly making software updates based on client feedback, and advances in technology. Their secondary focus lies in continuing to develop industry partnerships that either add functionality to their products, or increase brand awareness.

“Over the past 8 years, we’ve grown to serve thousands of auto repair shops across the U.S and beyond. This resulted in major partnerships with the largest companies in the business.

Meet the Executive

Mike Risich, founder and CEO- Mike is an expert in developing and executing best practices for the nation’s independent auto repair shops and tire service centers. A former Microsoft developer, Mike saw opportunities to create and implement add-on technology to revolutionize the repair industry. Since founding Bolt On Technology in 2008, he and his team of software developers have created more than a dozen automotive software solutions focused on best practices championed by leading industry training organizations.

“We will continue to deliver the same high-end quality automotive repair software that’s made us a leading brand for the past 8 years. If, for any reason, you’re not completely satisfied, or need more details, let us know and we will do everything in our power to get you what you need!
“You have my word.” -Mike

“We pride ourselves on listening to our customers. We’ve come to realize that our success comes from focusing on your needs, before anything else.”