In Val-Joli, just minutes from Windsor in the Eastern Townships, Steve Oborne and his partner Jennifer Gilbert sit down in the cool comfort of their newly air-conditioned facility to answer questions from Autosphere, while a heavy heatwave rages outside.

During the expansion of this unique shop, they take turns answering questions. After all, someone needs to be on hand to direct the workers and solve the minor issues that inevitably pop up during a major renovation.

It was in 2012 that Steve and Jennifer took over Oborne Service 2012, which was originally founded by Steve’s father in 1985. His father still works at the shop, affectionately nicknamed “Junior.” The founder certainly had great foresight when he chose this plot of land—seemingly in the middle of nowhere back then, but strategically located right next to the new Domtar complex and its 875 employees, which opened in 1987. He was also a visionary in passing down a thirst for learning to his son, encouraging him to enroll in every technical training program that was starting to become available.

“Yes, my father quickly understood the importance of bringing expertise into the shop,” says Steve, whose technical reputation now draws customers from all over the region. In his popular column Le Prof Oborne (Professor Oborne), published in our pages for the past decade, he has turned electronic diagnostics into a captivating, surprising, yet solidly structured investigation.

A Dynamic Duo

With a degree in psychology, Jennifer knew nothing about auto mechanics when she joined her partner in this venture. However, her background serves her well, as she is on the front lines of human relations, managing both staff and customers.

“We have a reputation for being responsible professionals,” she notes. “In my opinion, that is built on listening. Our customers need to be heard, and they need to understand what we are going to do to their vehicle. That’s usually where Steve comes in. It’s the same thing back in the shop—you have to sense simmering issues and pick up on insecurities. We are proud of our team, and we don’t hesitate to tell them. I’ve never regretted partnering with Steve; human relations remain my passion, and on top of that, we are constantly challenging ourselves, like with this current expansion project.”

Speaking of the project, Jennifer heads back to her new shop management platform—a new addition that improves efficiency and frees up more of her time to focus on people.

A Turning Point for the Business

The two-bay shop is adding three new ones. One will be dedicated exclusively to rustproofing treatments. But is doubling the footprint of a mechanical repair shop in 2026 a financially sound idea?

“We went through periods of uncertainty, but there was a specific trigger recently. A technician walked up to the counter out of the blue one morning and told me he read all my columns religiously and wanted to work with me,” Steve recalls. “Jennifer put two and two together and saw it as a sign that it was finally time to get our expansion project underway. As for this rare gem of a technician, we were able to send him to work-study training for electric vehicles.”

Naturally, this wonderful surprise was the spark that ignited a project the couple had been mulling over for a very long time. “We simply couldn’t keep up with demand anymore,” Steve explains. “Our customers have to wait 11 months for a rustproofing treatment, and a driver with a breakdown can’t get an appointment for three weeks, which is unacceptable. It’s very hard for us to say no—we needed a solution.”

 “Nobody has invented a car that doesn’t break down yet.”

– Steve Oborne

Confidence in Tomorrow

Some experts advised against the expansion, but they don’t know these entrepreneurs. “We have a solid, loyal customer base. We repair all types of vehicles, but today, 60% of our appointment book consists of electric or hybrid vehicles. Whatever technologies come next, we will be ready to service them here. We’ve always followed market demand. And you know, nobody has invented a car that doesn’t break down yet.”

This confidence in the future is backed by an investment of over $600,000 and the hiring of two additional technicians. There are also plans to add another service advisor at the front counter next year to assist with customer reception and consulting. The investment was also offset by grants that eased some of the financial burden. A prime example is the financial assistance received for installing a heat pump.

“Working in cool air in the middle of a heatwave is a staff retention tool in itself,” Steve smiles. “It was our way of thanking our team for sticking with us through all the disruptions caused by the construction.”

If everything goes according to plan, the work will be finished in time for the peak fall season. For the parents of two teenagers—who have always managed to find time for family life, living less than a kilometre from the shop—this transformation of the family business, complete with extra hands and more efficient management tools, is also aimed at freeing up personal time. Moreover, as Steve notices a few white hairs appearing in his beard, it is the perfect time to start preparing the next generation for the shop. “I’m in no rush, but I want to give myself the time to plan ahead,” he concludes wisely.