Get to Know Our Friendly Team
Ron Banicki, Owner
Ron got his start at the age of 14 pumping gas at a neighborhood service station in 1978. Hard work and perseverance taught him his automotive knowledge and customer service skills and gave him the confidence to open Ron's McKinley Marathon in 1997, which is now known as Ron's Grape Road Automotive. Ron is still the first face you'll see when we open, and the last face you'll see when we close. No matter what type of issue you have, Ron will do what it takes to either fix it himself or have one of his techs fix it for you. He is honest, hard-working and explains the problem and solution in a way that makes a person feel confident, as well as happy they brought their vehicle to Ron's. He considers himself a general practitioner of automotive repair but doesn't hesitate to refer his customers to a specialist if he can't fix the problem to his - and his customer's - satisfaction. He stands behind his diagnosis and/or repairs. He not only holds himself to a high standard, but expects his techs and employees to do the same.
Whether your vehicle needs a checkup or you need some automotive advice, come see Ron at Ron's Grape Road Automotive, or call 574-234-9565 for an appointment today.
Rich S.
Service Writer
Rich joined the Ron's Grape Road Automotive team in 2021 and has quickly become the backbone of our daily operations. With over three years of dedicated service here, Rich wears many hats-he is our primary point of contact for customers, the coordinator for our technician team, and the final decision-maker on every job that passes through our bays.
Whether he is building an accurate quote, explaining a repair, or managing the workflow to ensure your vehicle is ready on time, Rich's focus is always on clear communication. He takes the stress out of auto repair by serving as the bridge between the customer and the shop, ensuring that every job meets the high standards our clients have come to expect.
Laurie A.
Front Counter
Laurie has been a cornerstone of Ron's Grape Road Automotive since 1999. With over 27 years of experience supporting our customers, she is a familiar and trusted face to generations of local drivers.
Laurie specializes in providing and maintaining the friendly, organized atmosphere that defines our shop. Laurie's long-standing commitment to our community is a testament to the family-oriented values we hold dear, and we are proud to have her as the first point of contact for so many of our loyal clients.
Our Technician Team
Back Of The House
While Rich is the person you'll likely speak with to coordinate your service, the heavy lifting is handled by our expert team of six professional technicians. These are the hands-on experts who bring years of diagnostic and mechanical experience to every vehicle.
Our tech team understands that being without a vehicle is a major inconvenience, which is why they pride themselves on efficiency. They aim to complete most general repair jobs within a single day (provided parts are available), combining speed with the precision required to get you back on the road safely. When you bring your car to Ron's, you aren't just getting a mechanic-you're getting a team that treats every vehicle as if it were their own.