Tri-Cities Battery is a separate business from The Battery Store in Kennewick, which is owned by Gerald's brother Gary Johnson. Tri-Cities Battery also builds commercial starters and alternators. A mobile wholesale operation delivers starters, alternators and batteries within 200 miles. Each customer gets a free electrical systems check to help pinpoint the problem. The Johnsons especially want women to feel comfortable in their stores and to understand what work is being done on their cars.
Technicians now are so highly trained, they're like doctors.
About 55 percent of their customers are women. The new Kennewick store includes a waiting area with room for kids to play. It's very important the customer knows we know what we're doing. The business is a member of the Automotive Service Association, and Gerald was the group's 1994 Tri-City chapter president. Networking through the association helps with referrals, Gerald said.