Allan Senchuck has been running McComb Auto for the last 50 years. The Senchuk family recently invited their long-term customers and friends to join them in celebration of development and success.
The Mercury talked to Senchuk about his story in the industry and in the business began.
“I think it was fate. I got out of school in 1952 and that’s what was available right off the bat, so I took it the first day. I didn’t even look around,” remembered Senchuk.
At that time some Model Ts were still around, and he had a chance to ride in one and see how it operates.
Senchuk has witnessed the history of the auto industry flipping its pages; he’s seen models and companies come and go, just fuelling up his passion for cars and his curiosity about mechanisms and parts. Some smaller companies were absorbed by the giants throughout the years; the standard transmission was substituted by an automatic; electronics and sensors are now taking over most of the driver's functions, but Senchuk’s love for cars is something that has kept him going for all these years.
“I’ve seen it all to this point. And now we see electric cars coming in,” said Senchuk. “(I was always) wondering what was coming out new in the coming year and the following year. Just see the big changes that have taken place over the years, and you just wonder what’s coming out next, that kept me interested in the cars and I just loved it.”
He used to come from school, pick up different pamphlets from the Estevan dealerships and study the cars to always know what was coming out.
Right out of the school in 1952 he started as an employee working in parts and made it all the way to the service manager. So when the opportunity came he was ready and geared up to become an entrepreneur.
“I was ready… How to get money was maybe my biggest challenge, but other than that I was ready for that,” said Senchuk.
He learned how to run the operation during his times as an employee. He already knew some suppliers and was eager to try it on his own.
“This (McComb Auto) came along, so I got into it,” said Senchuk. “It was simple to get going. Once you get going, you establish your mind and make it a success.”
Someone said that McComb auto was open for sale, so Senchuk came in to see it and went directly to the bank. Money was hard to get those days. He was refused by the first bank, but fortunately, the next one had more faith in him and his business.
“I just continued on. I was able to borrow money and set up this building here, put an extension on and just kept on growing.”
Senchuk remembers the early 50s as a good time in Estevan. The oil was just coming in and the city was busy thanks to the coalmines.
McComb Auto started with four employees and grew into a crew of 13 today. And as Senchuk recalls it, throughout those 50 years it was “clear sailing.”
“We went day by day, and who knew 50 years would go by.”
He said every little detail of running the business was dear to him.
“I like everything right from sweeping the floor to making sure that everybody is pulling their weight,” said Senchuk. “And being around customers is one of my favourites even to the present day.”
From the point of view of his experience, Senchuk suggested that to be successful in running a small business one needs to know the goal they want to achieve and a plan on growing a business.
“I don’t think you can operate on one particular small item. You got to have a number of things and it’s got to be seasonal. Seasons change and you got to grow with the seasons, and got to have something to keep you going all year round.”
This recipe helped McComb Auto grow and succeed as well. Now they have two locations, one in Estevan and one in Carnduff. They also grew out of just car parts and went into industrial parts and agricultural supplies.
“That’s the biggest thing to be able to have a variety of things,” pointed out Senchuk.
The ability to sense the market demand and steadily grow allowed McComb Auto to stay in business for many years, and ensured that a lot of people from the area became their loyal customers and good friends.
Many years after, Senchuk still enjoys coming to work every morning and meeting customers. But he also likes gardening and dedicates a lot of time to the Lions Club, so he now starts planning for retirement. He said the business will keep going helping customers with all kinds of their needs, as now he has his three sons ready to take over the operation.
“The boys had business experience, went to school, so it should be pretty easy for them to continue on,” said Senchuk.
With the current state of the economy, Senchuk was worried about the future of new small businesses, but he said that he hopes that despite all challenges Estevan will keep going for many years to come.
He hasn’t tried riding an electric car yet, but after all these years he is still very curious to see anything new the industry has to offer.
