Introducing Phil's Automotive

Special to Emmaus Patch By Chrissy Cilento, Emmaus High School Senior

Phil’s Automotive
3284 Main Rd. E, Emmaus
610-967-5754 
Owner: Phillip Casey 
Hours: By appointment

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What service do you provide?
Really what we do transcends automobiles. We even work on lawnmowers, boats and microwave ovens. If it’s mechanical or electric, we tend to fix that. So it’s not so much a car place as a place where we fix people’s things. We’re able to fabricate, cut, weld and do anything that has to do with fixing something.

Why did you choose to locate your business in Emmaus?
This property was owned by a man named Frank Hasik, who owned a body shop and a garage. I was doing Frank’s mechanical work for his auto-body and collision business. He had a facility here that his brother ran and when that grew beyond his brother’s capacity, I had the opportunity to take this over and run my own repair business.

How long have you been in business?
41 years. 

What inspired you to start your business?
I liked machinery. 

What makes your business different from the competition?
I think we’re a little more seasoned and more mature than most of the other shops in this area. We’ve been fortunate because we’ve progressed with the industry changes in the sense that we’re not coming into this service business “mid-spring.” We’ve seen where the shortcomings are from the early mechanical devices to where they are today. Being in business for so long has really allowed us to see everything. 

What is the most rewarding part of your business?
The diversity of our customers. 

What’s the hardest part of your business?
The overwhelming regulation, overhead and government influence -- the cost of overhead and the cost of managing the logistics of the programs that are dictated by the state and the government. 

Where do you hope to see your business in the future?
I’d just like to continue to have a business. It’s pretty cool what we have going on here, so if we can maintain it, then it’d be fun. 

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
I cannot repeat it. It was given to me by a crusty Lehigh County judge who was not very politically correct, and it holds true to today. But that was the best advice I ever got, and a small circle of people will know what it is. But I can’t repeat it and it you can’t print it -- it would be the end of me. 

What business advice would you give to someone else?
Know your limitations. Be honest. Be willing to work long and hard and like what you do. 

Do you have a role model for what you do?
Some of my role models have passed away, some are still here, but they and I have all followed the same principles -- mold the minds around you, work hard, never look back, and kick the ball forward. Then you’ll be successful. 

What do you do when you aren't working?
I read.

Chrissy Cilento, a senior at Emmaus High School, plans to study journalism in college. She is a periodic contributor to Patch.