Like most farm kids in Iowa, Cody Schmitt grew up with a wrench in his hand and a pair of pliers on his belt. He helped out where he could, repairing trucks, tractors and other equipment to keep the family business running smoothly.
He said his interest in fixing things came naturally–almost a family tradition–with his dad also running a body shop and an uncle being an automotive technician. Twenty-one years ago, he brought his talents as a mechanic to Zip’s and was recently recognized for his two decades of service here.
Cody currently manages a team of installers as a Mechanic Lead in the Small Wrecker Shop at Zip’s West Campus in New Hampton. He is also the latest employee profile in our ‘Meet an Expert’ blog series. A northeast Iowa native, Cody joined Zip’s in 2005 shortly after finishing technical training at WyoTech.
“I’ve been around a shop environment my whole life,” Cody said, looking back. “Besides growing up on a farm, I worked in a small shop all throughout high school and again while at tech school in Wyoming. My favorite part about being a mechanic is being able to help others with their issues and being able to solve their problems.”
When he first started at Zip’s, Cody worked as a used truck technician and new truck stall leader before being promoted to his current position. In his supervisory role, he oversees light-duty wrecker builds, manages employee workflow and provides assistance to installers who report to him. He said he enjoys working on new wrecker designs and complex wiring jobs.
“The challenges of my position are just trying to constantly be on your toes, learning new things as technology advances,” he said. “I offer my help to anyone who needs it, especially with all of the late model vehicles being introduced into the industry. Fabrication is a fun part of the job as is finding better ways to install our truck lights.”
Cody said he leads with the same values and work ethic he demonstrated from day one here. He makes sure every unit meets the company’s standards before it leaves the shop floor. Just as importantly, he said he fosters a team-oriented environment where knowledge is shared and everyone is encouraged to grow.
Reflecting on his two decades of service to Zip’s, Cody said he is proud of his team’s contributions to the company’s overall success. He said he is also impressed with the growth of the company: Zip’s currently employs more than 220 people, and in addition to its large presence in northeast Iowa, the company operates a satellite location near Detroit.
“I’ve seen the company grow from a small building with five stalls to a huge campus with many new amenities, offices and, of course, increased work space,” Cody observed. “We now have several buildings spread around the area, including an updated shop where I work on the west side of town.”
When not working at Zip’s, Cody said he likes to spend his free time on the golf course and also works on projects at his home shop with his two sons and his daughter. Alongside his wife, he said he also enjoys going to local wrestling meets and watching his sons compete in trapshooting.
