Pub. 1 2019 Issue 4

Jean-Guy's Used Cars and Parts, Inc. Celebrates 50 Years From a young age, Jean-Guy Bergeron was confident he would be successful. F or Jean-Guy, a love for auto mechanics was apparent at a very young age. As a teenager he had two neighborhood friends whose father owned a junk yard. He and his friends would get "recycled cars" up-and-running and take them for a drive. Jean-Guy got a kick out of hearing what were once salvaged vehicles fired up again. He knew he was on the right track every time one did. As he phrased it himself, "a seed was planted." Jean-Guy attended Lowell Trade School, where he stud- ied Auto Mechanics from 1963 to 1967. Right after school, he joined the National Guard and served as a medic for six years. During his tenure with the National Guard, Jean-Guy worked in several auto repair garages before he eventu- ally made the decision to start his own. In 1968, he tracked down the owner of an abandoned garage in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. It wasn't long until Jean-Guy had a lease with an option to buy this property. He contacted Mobil Oil soon after, and he struck a deal to sell their gas and products. Mobil wanted to give Jean the financial backing to buy the garage for a seven-year lease. The offer looked good on paper, but there was a catch. Mobil did not want Jean-Guy to pursue the recycling yard. He had a decision to make. Through his garage in Massachusetts, Jean-Guy met Mr. Neault, who had owned a licensed junk yard in New Hampshire since the 1950s. One thing lead to another and Jean-Guy went on to sign another lease with an option to buy. This time, he would become the owner in 1973. That is when Jean-Guy's Used Cars and Parts, Inc. was born. Though his vision didn't come to fruition in Massachusetts, Jean-Guy made his dream a reality in 1969 and he hasn't looked back since. This perseverance is a sentiment many can learn from; in fact, Jean-Guy has told himself and many others, "keep the faith." Over the years, Jean-Guy's Used Cars and Parts, Inc. has been able to set itself apart from other businesses. While the main part of the business is supplying customers with used auto and truck parts, the company also has a body shop where cars are built for resale. One thing the employees pride themselves on is their same-day delivery. In fact, deliveries are a vital part of their business model: They have five delivery trucks. Fun fact: every delivery is accompanied by a complimentary bag of Jean-Guy's Popcorn – butter flavored or kettle corn. In addition to same-day deliveries, the com- pany also works with daily walk-ins and can provide parts to customers the same day they were requested. The business also generates scrap cars and truck hulks after the salable parts are removed. The car crusher that they have on site helps them process that scrap. Jean-Guy's Used Cars and Parts, Inc. provides prompt and professional service. Saving customers time and money is something that is very important to everyone who works there; that's why they take care of all of the parts for their customers themselves. There is no "U-Pull-It" at Jean- Guy's business. Employees test their parts for you, pull it from the yard, and describe the condition that it is in before they complete the sale. D R I V E 12