Steer, a front-of-house platform for auto repair shops, has announced that telecommunications provider Call Inbound is joining its operations. This strategic move integrates Call Inbound's specialized automotive phone expertise and its entire team into the Steer platform. The collaboration is designed to enhance Steer's phone technology, helping repair shops improve customer experience and convert more calls into appointments.
A Strategic Combination for Automotive Services
The merger unites two companies with a shared focus on optimizing front-counter operations within the auto repair industry. For these businesses, the initial phone call is often the most critical step in securing a customer's trust and business. By integrating Call Inbound's deep industry knowledge, Steer aims to provide shops with greater visibility and actionable insights from these crucial interactions.
Parker Swift, Founder and CEO of Steer, described the phone as the lifeblood of a repair shop and its most powerful customer connection. He emphasized that the Call Inbound team brings decades of experience delivering a great phone product backed by reliable service. Swift noted that this expertise strengthens Steer's team and its ability to help shops foster lasting business growth.
Leadership and Future Development
As part of the integration, Call Inbound Founder and CEO David Boyd will assume a new leadership role within the company. He will now lead the Steer Voice product division, guiding the development of advanced phone technologies for the platform. His primary objective will be to create tools that help shops efficiently turn more incoming calls into scheduled service appointments.
Under Boyd's leadership, the combined team will accelerate the Steer Voice product roadmap with a focus on several key areas. These priorities include expanded phone capabilities, deeper integrations with existing shop management systems, and stronger training tools for front-counter staff. This dedicated effort is designed to deliver a more robust and user-friendly communication solution for the automotive sector.
Enhancing the Customer Experience
The Steer Voice platform already helps shops manage calls with features like intelligent routing, AI-powered summaries, and outcome tracking. These tools give owners valuable insight into how their teams handle customer calls and convert potential leads into business. The addition of the Call Inbound team will build upon this foundation with more resources dedicated to daily operations and customer service.
David Boyd expressed his excitement about joining a team that shares his deep commitment to the automotive industry. He stated that the partnership combines Call Inbound's experience, relationships, and expertise with Steer's technology, resources, and vision. This synergy is expected to accelerate innovation and deliver even greater value to the repair shops they collectively serve.
This strategic union between Steer and Call Inbound marks a significant development for technology in the auto repair sector. By focusing on the critical touchpoint of customer phone calls, the enhanced Steer platform is poised to offer powerful new tools. Ultimately, this collaboration aims to modernize customer service, improve operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth for repair shops.