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About Us
The Mike Rudert Group® is the marketing umbrella for a cluster of companies with one goal: to improve your life by helping you create the perfect shop-from planning to installation and maintenance.
History
The group has come a long way since its humble beginning in the back room of Michael and Ramona Rudert's tiny apartment in 1978. Selling a single line of frame straightening equipment under the name Autoquip, the company incorporated in 1981 and changed its name to Professional Automotive Equipment, Inc. The small sales staff traveled six western states in search of customers and soon established a core of customers, many of whom remain loyal today. In 1985 the company opened an office and warehouse location on Kensington Avenue in South Salt Lake.
Professional Automotive Equipment gained a reputation as a pioneer of new technology by bringing many "firsts" to the Intermountain area--and in some cases the entire country. Some of these include the Bear Telatronic and Hunter A111 and D111 computerized wheel alignment systems, Mohawk lifts, Hans Hougaard asymmetric above-floor lifts and OMER parallelogram lifts. In the region's collision repair market, the company sold the first Spraybake downdraft baking paint booths, IRT infrared curing systems, Brewco and Car-O-Liner frame racks and Car-O-Tronic computerized measuring systems.
With the proliferation of products and competitors in its niche market, the company understood that it needed a business strategy to set it apart from other equipment sellers.
Based on proven elements such as responsive service, the company's plan aimed to penetrate varied market segments and emphasize its turnkey project capabilites. Beginning in 1995, The Mike Rudert Group® founded several companies to assist customers with "start to finish" services for building or expanding a shop.
Predictable Building Systems,Inc offers steel frame buildings and components for shop construction projects.
TOMIAC Consulting, Inc prepares business plans and financing proposals for SBA and conventional loans. Consultants also assist with building and fire code compliance by providing complete project packages for local fire and building department officials.
Monster Equipment Corp is a "no frills" company that liquidates used equipment taken in trade or on consignment.
To give special attention to the growing automotive paint booth market, BoothSource, Inc. was formed in early 2000.
In 2002, the group relocated its offices and warehouse to its current North Salt Lake location. Staff members in each company continue to provide products and services that help customers to create the perfect shop.
Executive Profiles
Michael Rudert began his career in the automotive repair industry during his post-high school years by working in a Salt Lake City service station. While in college, he ventured into entrepreneurship as part owner of a dune buggy building and Volkswagen repair shop.
After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1973, Mike pursued a career in real estate development, working for Alpha Financial Corporation until the company closed. He returned to the automotive business as the regional service representative for Bear Manufacturing. In 1976, he was hired by Intermountain Equipment Sales Co., first as a technician and later as an outside salesman. Two years later, he took advantage of an offer to buy Autoquip, a distributor of frame and unibody straightening equipment. In 1981, the company incorporated and changed its name to Professional Automotive Equipment, Inc.
Mike is respected not only as an equipment salesman, but also as a creator of customized equipment and shop designs. Among his well-known projects is Salt Lake's Central Collision Center, where he designed the custom "Prep Tunnel." In addition, he makes presentations to groups of fire marshals and building inspectors to enhance understanding of paint booth products and installations.
Ramona Rudert has been a co-owner for the past 30 years. She served as president from 1992 until 1996, when she accepted a position as senior vice president of operations at the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Later, she became the first executive director of the Women's Business Center at the Salt Lake Chamber. Ramona returned to the world of entrepreneurship to oversee marketing efforts for The Mike Rudert Group®. She also offers business planning and loan packaging for clients who want to start or expand automotive shops.
Ramona earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Utah. She currently serves on the national Audit Committee of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Past service includes the JDRF International Board, Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors and Executive Committee, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Salt Lake Chapter, and the White House Conference on Small Business.
Ramona has written several cover stories for Utah Business Magazine. Awards include the NAWBO Utah Woman Business Owner of the Year and the Athena Businesswoman of the Year Award.
Directory
905 North Main Street, Suite C6
North Salt Lake, Utah 84054
Phone: (800) 660-2029 · (801) 292-2224
Fax: (801) 292-2488
BoothSource, Inc.
905 North Main Street, Suite C6
North Salt Lake, Utah 84054
Phone: (888) 660-2029 (801) 292-7909
Fax: (801) 292-2488
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Staff Contacts
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