Dirks takes ownership of family auto shop business

     Keith Dirks Auto Body opened in August 2012. It was managed by Dirks and his youngest son, Cody.

     At the start of this year, Cody and his wife, Cassie, bought the family business, which is staying as busy as ever, and now they have plans to expand.

     “This was in the works for a couple of years,” Cody said as a group of Monticello Chamber Ambassadors came to see the owners. “We were just waiting for the right time to pull the trigger on it.”

     Cody grew up in the automobile industry, working on cars alongside his dad.

     “It’s been my dream to own my own business and shop,” he said.

     Cassie said Keith and Cody built the shop on the family property on 170^th Avenue knowing Cody would one day take ownership of the business.

     “We just didn’t know when,” she said.

     Cody has no plans to change the name of the operation, saying it honors the man who showed him the business.

     “I wouldn’t be here if not for him,” he praised.

     In addition, he said changing the name would complicate things for insurance and tax purposes.

     Since taking over, Cody admitted the biggest change for him has been keeping track of the book work and tax information. All that, on top of “getting work done in the shop.”

     There are also two employees, Xyn Helgens and Mark Strief, working alongside Cody.

     They are currently in the process of adding a 40-foot addition onto the shop. This will offer more room for a new paint booth as well as storage.

     “We look to hire another employee, too,” offered Cody.

     The paint booth will allow vehicles to “bake,” as Cody says, meaning they can turn the heat up to cure the paint faster and speed up the process versus waiting until the next day.

     “We can get the vehicles in and out in the same day,” he said. “We’re busy enough and have enough employees to keep production going.”

     Every year since Keith Dirks Auto Body opened, Cody said they have increased the workload. The Monticello hailstorm in 2014, while devastating for some, benefitted their business. And then the 2020 derecho that hit southern Jones County and Linn County also greatly contributed to their customer base.

     “We also continue to see our regular customers, too,” Cody said.

     The derecho brought customers in from Olin and Wyoming, as well as lots of people in Cedar Rapids because the auto shops there were so inundated, too.

     “Their shops were backed up for six to eight months to a year,” Cody said.

     Derecho still lingers on, it seems, as parts and materials are still a few months, Cody also attributes the delay to the pandemic, as auto plants are still not fully employed.

     “Getting parts delays things for us, which is frustrating,” admitted Cody.

     Deer accidents continue to be a big reason as to why the shop remains so busy throughout the year. Cody said typically deer season runs September through January. Now, it seems it’s all year round.

     Cody and his crew specialize in collision work, body paint repairs and paintless dent repair. He said things are always changing on vehicles, especially when it comes to the electronics.

     “There are so many censors on cars now,” Cody said.

     However, he said the aluminum on vehicles, such as Fords, holds up better versus metal.

     “It’s stronger and thicker,” he said. “It doesn’t dent as easily,” which is good in an accident.

     The aluminum also doesn’t corrode and rust like metal.

     “That’s a plus,” added Cody.

     In addition, winter driving in Iowa isn’t the best for vehicles due to the salt, sand, and solutions on the roadways.

     They are also willing to come to you, the customer, for on-site estimates, including picking up and dropping off your vehicle.

     Cody and Cassie and their two boys have plans to move into Cody’s parents’ home on the property yet this year. The young couple is looking forward to living and working at the same location. Cassie works four days a week at UnityPoint Clinic in Hiawatha.

     Keith Dirks Auto Body is located at 17568 170^th Ave., outside Monticello.