Barnes lives next door to his business, Robert's Engines, Inc. His son, Matthew, lives across the parking lot. More than once, Barnes and his family have been pestered by customers demanding that they open the business after hours.

"It's like being a celebrity or Elvis or something," Barnes said. "You can't be out in your own yard."

Once, customers stopped by while Matthew was trying to barbecue a steak; another time, a family Mother's Day dinner was interrupted by customers requesting parts.

"You never get away from it, really," Barnes explained. "We finally had to build a fence. It's like Ft. Knox around here."

Despite the interruptions, living so close does have a good side, Barnes said.

"You don't have to do much traveling to get to work," he pointed out. "You just walk out the back door, and you're here."

Finding Their Niche

Robert's Engines, Inc. has been a full-time auto recycling operation since 1987, but it took Barnes and his wife, Shirley, a while to find their niche.

Before starting Robert's Engines, the pair tried running a lumber business, selling furniture, raising livestock and even operating a go-cart track. In 1977, they opened a garage and welding shop and gradually began selling parts. Still, all of the ventures were losing money.

"My accountant said I should pick out the one I was losing the least money on and focus on that," said Barnes, who decided to concentrate on auto recycling. "After that, we started making a little bit of money."

Leading The Way

Since then, the company has been an industry trendsetter. Robert's was only the fourth company in the state to earn ARA certification; Barnes has served as president of his state association; and Robert's was one of the first facilities to join the Orion system in the mid-'80s.

Another industry rarity at Robert's is its all-female sales staff. Shirley runs the counter, along with daughter Sherri and daughter-in-law Stephanie. Barnes said he believes that the women behind the counter help customers feel comfortable.

"At first, egotistical men didn't want to talk with women, but they gradually got to where they would deal with my wife," he said. "When a customer comes in, they don't get a harassment deal like at some places. They can feel at home."

While Shirley is a skilled saleswoman, she's always looking out for customers' best interests, Barnes said.

"My wife will talk you out of buying something if she gets to talking to you and figures out that's not really what you need," he said. "People know we're going to treat them fair."

Robert's Staff

Robert's Engines is staffed mostly by family members, but some non-related employees feel like family, too. One dismantler, Robert Tucker, has been with the company since 1980, even though Barnes tried to lay him off during tough times.

"One Friday, I told him we couldn't afford to pay him anymore," Barnes remembered. "He showed up Monday morning. He said, ‘I don't feel like sitting at home watching soap operas, so I'll work for free.' He worked all week. At the end of the week I felt so bad, I paid him. He's been working here ever since."

And like Tucker, it's likely Barnes won't be quitting any time soon.

"I could have made more money working somewhere else, but I wouldn't have been able to work with my family," he said. "It means something to be able to work with your family when you're as close-knit as we are. It's not the money; it's the benefits."

Company Name: Robert's Engines, Inc.

President: Robert Barnes

Location: Lucama, N.C.

Phone: 800-528-6911 or 252-239-1844

URL: www.robertsengines.com

Years in Business: 26

Size:
Number of Acres: 10.5
Number of Employees: 7

Credentials: Member of ARA, Carolina Auto Recyclers and National Federation of Independent Businesses

Quote: "It means something to be able to work with your family when you're as close-knit as we are. It's not the money; it's the benefits."