Scott Catherman, owner of Catherman's Garage grew up in the automotive industry. The industry is everything he knows. Luckily that's a lot. Catherman obtained his father's legacy in 2000 aided with hard work and dedication. Catherman took his passion and expanded it into three locations.
Catherman's father opened the Williamsport business in 1968 an passed the knowledge to his son. "I grew up in it. I hope I can pass it on to my son. My son is 11. He does show some interest in it. But he is still a little too young yet," Catherman said.
Catherman has loved the industry for as long as he can remember. "I was drawn to the challenge of the job. I like hard work and always enjoyed fixing vehicles," Catherman said. "We specialize in anything and everything automotive. We do things from mechanical to collision work."
Article Photos
Scott Catherman stands beside one of his trucks.
Catherman grew up in a family of four sisters, none of which were interested in the business.
Catherman went to the Pennsylvania College of Technology to expand his automotive knowledge. "I learned different styles of repairing things," Catherman said.
Catherman is on the Collision Advisory Committee for his alma mater. He has been on the committee for three or four years.
"I have been to several general motors classes, paint seminars and classes. They basically go over the new products and go over the new lines of things that are coming out," Catherman said.
Even though Catherman already has a full schedule, in the land of automotive work, winter months can be more demanding on the work load. There are more collisions in the winter months, more deer are hit, travel is more hectic for those that live on the roads, Catherman said.
One major quality catherman's shops encompasses is its loyalty to the customer. "It is rewarding being able to help people out. It means a lot having customer satisfaction," Catherman said.
Catherman has made school donations and sponsored fundraisers to schools in Montoursville, Williamsport, and Lewisburg in the past.
When Catherman acquired the family business at the age of 33, he took his father's legacy and ran with it.
Catherman opened a garage in Montoursville in 2002. Later in 2007, another location in Lewisburg was opened.
Most American households have at least one vehicle. Rather than buying new updated models, fixing the older models seems like a better option for some.
According to Catherman, it appears the economy is shaping the way consumers invest in automobile purchases and repairs. "People are putting more money into their older cars, rather than buying new," Catherman said.
Catherman acknowledges that this is a trend that is only helping his business. However, Catherman has cut back on advertising in response to the economic crunch.
"When the expansion was being looked into I was looking in different areas that needed quality repair service. I also wanted to expand the towing. Towing accounts for maybe a third of our business," Catherman said.
Towing is service offered 24 hours at all three locations.
Catherman employs 21 people within the three locations.
"It is a very demanding job to keep track of everything. This industry changes so much that it is hard to explain. There is so much that comes down the wire with changes. We don't really run into a lot of problems. We are pretty clean with what we do," Catherman said.
The garage hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Towing is 24 hours daily. For more information, individuals may contact the garage at 368-3050.
"The caring and the quality that we put into our work is what we stand on," Catherman said.
