Faces in the Crowd - Portland, Oregon
Jason Kranitz, MECP Master Installation Technician
Owner of Kingpin Car Audio

As you may know, MERA-CEA Regional Workshops are coming up soon. On September 21, Portland will play host to the second of four workshops aimed at both installation technicians as well as business owners.

What drove you to achieve MECP Master Certification?

“Honestly, a previous employer offered higher compensation for techs that achieved MECP certification – it’s really that simple. I offer the same incentives for my installers at Kingpin. As a result, I do charge a little bit more per job than some other shops, but I believe it shows up in the quality of our work and my customers understand that. So I guess in the respect the MECP Master credential pays dividends for the business beyond just the individual knowledge.”

How did the journey to become a master help you open your own shop?

“I just got tired of no one listening to me about how to solve this or that problem with a vehicle or an installation. At Kingpin I really am a jack-of-all-trades. I run the business side of things and am also doing installations. It pays off especially when I can mix the technical knowledge I’ve gained with running my own business. Being able to talk to techs at dealerships and speak the same language helps me troubleshoot problems and saves us time and money.”

What are some of the “must-have” traits that you look for in new hires?

“First off, I try to never work with people I’ve worked with in the past. People usually come into situations like that with expectations and sometimes expect to be paid more for doing less. It’s just best to bring in fresh faces that I can teach my way of doing things and running a shop.

Second, I will only hire installers who’ve been to an installer school and at least achieved MECP Basic Certification. I want guys who want this as a career, not a hobby. The industry has changed a lot in that respect, so I want guys who’ll be in this business for the long haul. It’s not as important that guys have a ton of experience, either, because I would rather train them my way than have to break a bunch of bad or lazy habits they may have learned in someone else’s shop.”

How do you stay up to speed on industry issues, vehicle-specific issues, trends, and technology?

“For vehicle-specific issues, I use MERA’s Integration Excellence program and I work with ME Magazine on integration issues. I also do some testing work for a major manufacturer and help them out by identifying issues with new and existing products. For example, if a new amp comes out that’s not working with a specific vehicle, I pick up the phone and let the manufacturer know directly so they can make adjustments on their end. A lot of techs might complain about the product and send it back as defective, but we in the industry can and should work together and help solve problems that everyone faces on a day-to-day basis.”

What would you say to a retailer who felt that they didn’t need MECP certification or certified installers?

“If a retailer would say that, then they should just close up shop now and save their energy.”