Autogeek Visits Griot's Garage

Meghan and Jason visited Griot’s Garage’s Plainfeld, Indiana distribution center on June 22, 2010 to take a tour of their facility and gain a better understanding of their operation. They met with Wholesale Sales Representative Rob Wood, Warehouse Manager Arnie Rojas, and Bottling Manager Alan Bradford. The group discussed new products ideas and future expansion of the Griot’s Garage line, as well as ways to build the relationship with Autogeek to better serve both our customers and theirs. Highlights of the tour included the giant employee break room, complete with racing-inspired furniture and tool box coffee tables!

Griot’s Garage has been catering to auto enthusiasts since 1990 with their popular catalog. The first Griot’s Garage Retail Store and Car Care School opened up in Tacoma, Washington earlier this month. Griot’s Garage made its Autogeek debut in May 2009 and representatives, including Rob Wood, exhibited at Autogeek’s 5th Annual Detail Fest in March 2010.

Meghan and Jason at Griot's Garage in Indiana.

Rob, Arnie and Alan of Griot's Garage

Wholesale Sales Representative Rob Wood, Warehouse Manager Arnie Rojas, and Bottling Manager Alan Bradford

Griot's Garage merchandise

Griot's Garage break room

Griot's Garage kitchen

Griot's Garage break room

Coming to Detail Fest: Griot's Garage

Autogeek began carrying Griot’s Garage products in 2009. The products – including everything from a 6 inch random orbital polisher to Best of Show Wax – are high quality and low effort. They are designed for car enthusiasts to get great results and, as they say, “Have fun in your garage!” Griot’s Garage was a natural choice for Autogeek. Here is their story:

Richard Griot of Griot's Garage

Richard Griot of Griot's Garage

Richard Griot, the founder of Griot’s Garage, grew up in California, an epicenter for all things automotive. A car enthusiast from the start, Richard channeled his passion into creating exceptional car care products, detailing tools, and garage accessories – anything to help you “Have fun in your garage!”

Richard Griot founded Griot’s Garage in 1991 with their first 16-page catalogue, mailed from their Vista, California warehouse. There are many catalogue companies and many car care companies, but what Richard had going for him was a commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Never content with “good enough”, Griot’s Garage develops new products every year that solve a detailing problem, make a detailing task easier or just make cars look better.

Since the inception of Griot’s Garage, the company has functioned on two equally important principles. Number one: Provide products and service that enable customers to experience our slogan “Have fun in your garage”. Number two: Create customers for life. Every Griot’s Garage product has a lifetime guarantee. Griot’s Garage used these two principles to become one of the most widely recognized brands of car care in the world.?

With a growing demand for Griot’s Garage products, the company headquarters, manufacturing, and warehouse/distribution moved from California to Tacoma, Washington in 1996. The manufacturing and order fulfillment location then relocated to Plainfield, Indiana in 2004, where the land and building are owned exclusively by Griot’s Garage as is all the production and bottling equipment. All formulas are developed in Tacoma and Plainfield and all liquid car care is made in the U.S.A. Griot’s Garage launched its website to complement its handbook in 1999.

Today the Griot’s Garage Handbook reaches millions of car care enthusiasts all over the world. It has become a source of valuable information and inspiration for car lovers looking to obtain a beautiful, concours finish. Griot’s Garage has become a staple at car shows. The company sponsors car shows every year and their products were used exclusively to detail the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d”Elegance Best of Show winner 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B.

Steve Kovach and Rob Wood from Griot’s Garage will be at Autogeek’s 5th Annual Detail Fest this weekend, March 27-28!

Product Spotlight: Griot's Garage Paint Glaze

Most of us would rather remove fine scratches than hide them, but consider this: every time you compound, you are removing tiny amounts of clear coat in order to level scratches. Because there is a finite amount of paint on your vehicle, you’re better off putting off paint correction until there’s a real need for it. For minor scratches and fine swirls, you have another option: Griot’s Garage Paint Glaze.

 

At Autogeek, we always say, “Use the least aggressive approach that will work.” Sometimes that means opting for a glaze rather than a swirl remover. Griot’s Garage Paint Glaze is formulated to discreetly hide those minor scratches and swirls so you still get the appearance of perfect paint. It’s a great option for older vehicles when you’re trying to preserve the original finish or to put off a full detail until you have time.

 

Griot’s Garage Paint Glaze contains premium oils and fillers that hide swirls and light scratches while enhancing the overall look of the paint. Layer the glaze for better coverage. Even as you’re filling in the low points in the paint, the overall finish will appear clear and bright.

 

When small blemishes appear on your otherwise perfect finish, use Griot’s Garage Paint Glaze to hide them until it’s time to polish.