Hoffman Auto Parts celebrates 100 years of business
Since he was 12 years old, Roger Hoffman, owner of Hoffman Auto Parts has been helping carry on the legacy his grandfather, Carl Fredrick Hoffman Sr., started in 1924.
56 years later, at the age of 68, Roger is putting in more hours than ever to carry on the family business for another 100 years and beyond, but it didn’t come easy, he said, especially after the big box auto parts stores moved into town.
“We are a really old auto parts store,” Roger said. “There is a lot of competition in the auto parts business. Things have changed. Until about 1990 there were no big box places. But most businesses have a lot of competition.”
The extent of the business doesn’t just end with auto parts. Roger said the business also has a strong focus on lawn and garden equipment, but it doesn’t sell the equipment itself, just the parts the equipment might need, much like it does with car parts.
“We are known for finding the hard-to-get parts,” Roger said. “Really just parts for anything. People bring stuff in and we figure it out and get it.”
Hoffman Auto Parts, 237 W. Jefferson Street in Butler, also has a machine shop that focuses on engine repairs as well as repairs on the lawn and garden equipment such as generators, lawn mowers and tractors.
Lastly, the business also has what Roger calls a “variety store,” which is a fairly new venture that was started about five years ago.
“It doesn't fit with what we normally do,” Roger said. “All the sales go through the same register, but it is its own deal. We end up with furniture and we sell it.”
Hoffman Auto Parts was started in 1924 by Carl Fredrick Hoffman Sr., who later sold the business to his sons Carl Fredrick Hoffman Jr. and Paul Hoffman.
“My grandfather was a visionary,” Roger said. “He was dealing in cars to start. The only production car when we opened was the Model T. I would say we are one of the oldest auto parts stores operating under the same name and ownership in the world.”
Then in 1987, Roger and his brother Carl Fredrick Hoffman III took over the business, but his brother left the business in late 1990s to pursue his own ventures.
It was around that time when Roger said the business had to “reorganize” and Roger contemplated selling off his inventory and moving on after all the big box auto parts opened locations in the area and was taking away a lot of business.
Ultimately Roger decided to not sell his inventory and he is pleased he didn’t.
“Gradually we operated and paid down debt and did whatever we could do,” Roger said.
Today, Hoffman Auto Parts is going strong, Roger said, due in thanks to its lawn and garden parts services and commercial accounts with local manufacturers who buy parts.
“We don’t have many employees,” Roger said. “I answer the phone constantly. I probably took 100 calls today. It’s what needs to be done to operate and survive.”
Roger said his biggest challenge is being the only one working the logistics of the business. He has a few people working in the machine shop and has some other miscellaneous help from his son Logan Hoffman among others, but when it comes to filling orders and finding parts, that all falls on Roger.
“I don’t have all the energy I used to have and I work 80-plus hours a week,” Roger said. “I don’t have too much trouble finding stuff. We have vendors that treat us well for tools and auto parts, but we are truly independent. I’ll go on eBay sometimes for parts.”
Roger said his grandfather was retired when he began working for the business, so he learned a lot of what he knows from his dad and uncle.
“My dad and uncle were great Christian men and hard workers,” Roger said. “They taught us a super good work ethic and I needed all that. There is such a roller coaster. Things go so good then all a sudden here comes more competition or something happens.”
Roger said there have been a lot of battles the business has faced over the years, but his passion for what he does has helped carry him and the business through the tough times.
“If you don't want to give it everything you got, don't own a business,” Roger said. “If you love what you're doing and willing to give it everything the payback is great, but you're taking a chance.”
