Dealer Spotlight: Jeff Schimmer, Schimmer Auto Group

Jeff Schimmer, third generation President and Dealer Principal, Schimmer Auto Group, and IADA member, recently celebrated the company’s 80^th anniversary and the positive changes the dealership has enjoyed over the years.

“At our celebration event last month, people were surprised to learn that we’ve been around as long as we have,” Jeff explains. “It was fun to reflect on how much we’ve grown over time.”

What began as a Pontiac dealership in Mendota launched by Jeff’s grandfather, Harry Schimmer who originally sold Pontiac & Dodge vehicles, plus Citgo fuel, has expanded to include three more dealerships: Schimmer Ford Hyundai of Peru, Spring Valley Ford of Spring Valley and Mendota Ford of Mendota. A staff of 15 in 1986 when Jeff assumed the Dealer Principal role has grown to 103 today.

Like many generational owners, Jeff worked around the dealership as a teen. He swept floors, learned to be a mechanic, worked in parts, and sold cars. Shortly after completing a program in dealership management at Northwood University, Jeff took over the dealership at age 22. Just five years later, he saw the need for infrastructure improvement and managed the construction of a new facility in Mendota which now showcases Chevrolet and Chevrolet Medium Duty franchises.

Schimmer points to his loyal employees and long-term customers as the key to success. His general sales manager, Doug Jackson, recently marked his 40^th anniversary with the company and many other staffers have served 25 years or more. He also credits the wisdom he has gained from being involved with a NADA 20 group. Like most groups, his meets four times a year at various locations across the country, and he has formed close friendships with other GM dealers of the same size.

“We are fully transparent with each other and share financials as well as a general exchange of ideas,” Jeff says. “We’ve even sent employees to coach a department at another dealership to help support them up in areas that might need improvement and vice versa.”

Jeff is very bullish about the future. His oldest daughter, Tori, and her husband Dan joined the company last year as social media/marketing director and director of operations, respectively. He is impressed with their skill sets and is optimistic that they will take over the business one day.