A1: First in Line

Hold the sauce: Utah County’s only motor repair shop is well-seasoned

In the Beehive state, there’s been a shortage of electric motor buzz. A recently opened electric motor repair shop is shaking up the nest by bringing its services to the city of Lehi.

Small but mighty: A1 Electric Motor Repair has flourished so far as the only shop in its county.

A1 Electric Motor Repair is run by an engaged couple, educates customers on preventative maintenance, and is the first shop of its kind in Utah County, Karissa Neely of the Provo Daily Herald reports. Just reading about it evokes the feelings only a unique small business can bring. Nick Swann and Kimi Worthen operate the shop that opened this past October, specializing in repair, rewinding, and maintenance of electric motors. They place a lot of emphasis on smaller motors that customers assume are beyond repair…until they’ve brought them in to A1. This includes power tools, vintage motors, appliances, and of course all sizes of industrial motors. Larger motors are welcomed as well, and can be fixed on site. One of their best attributes is offering free diagnostics, which traditionally cost at least $50 at most shops. Servicing of any brand of motor is welcomed, including major brands WEG, Baldor, Toshiba, ABB, Leeson, Brook Crompton, U.S. Motors, GE, Siemens, and Tatung.

Swann is the technician who does the repairing, and Worthen manages the business aspects. He has more than 10 years experience working on motors, and she already has “experience in opening and running a successful business,” Neely writes. Swann’s experience includes learning skill sets while working for U.S. Magnesium in Salt Lake City, additional work in both the manufacturing and industrial motor sectors, and a previous apprenticeship at another electric motor shop, where he learned everything there is to know about electric motors, including reverse engineering. This has been an endearing characteristic of his trade. He encourages people to bring in motors they think may be broken or have no idea how to work with because he can often salvage them for the customer. Repair, not replace. “Typically, a repair will be about 1/3 of the cost of buying a new motor. We will assist you in making an informed decision of what’s best for your particular motor,” reads the company website. Other perks include online scheduling to line up an in-store quote with no wait, guarantees on due dates and cost quotes, and a 10% loyalty discount.

Neely adds that the couple are also  “excited about partnering with businesses for their preventative maintenance needs as well…as a family-owned business, they can plan for larger businesses’ maintenance needs outside of regular working hours, saving those companies money and downtime.”

Utah County sits in between the Salt Lake City and Provo metro areas and their corresponding lakes. Prior to October, the area had a scarcity of electric motor repair service shops. Salt Lake City has a handful, and Provo was home to a recent closure, but Swann and Worthen saw a ripe opportunity and seized it.