Owners: Steve Monnat & Jake Monnat

Company Name: Monnat Brothers Inc.

Year Established: 1979

Number of Employees: 9

About the Owners:

Steve Monnat is the only original proprietor of Monnat Bros. currently
employed. From a young age Steve enjoyed working on machines, but specifically had an interest in cars. After honing his knowledge in the BOCES Auto-Mechanics class and some experience in the Marine Corps, Steve came back to Lowville. Where he ultimately opened Monnat Brothers in collaboration with his older brother, Mike.

Steve's son, Jake Monnat, became co-owner in 2016 to work side by side with my Father and Mother, Dorothy. After working as a Mechanical Engineer in the Rail Industry for almost 7 years, Jake found the opportunity to be self-employed and continue the family business too good to pass up. Switching career paths gave Jake the chance to help lessen the workload on his parents as they work to transition into retirement as well as spend more time at home with them.

Describe your start-up story & what makes your business unique

When Monnat Bros. first started Steve and Mike were focused on being very customer oriented and providing a high level of personal attention to each vehicle. "Today this is still our philosophy. We understand how each customer’s relationship to their vehicle is different; whether it's their grocery getter, sunday cruiser or work truck. We strive to provide an affordable auto-repair with a personal touch to everyone who walks through our door. This is what makes us unique."

Why did you choose to do business in Lewis County? What are the advantages and/or opportunities of doing business here?

"Community. I’ve [Jake] had the very fortunate opportunity to travel the world which has given me some insight on how special Lewis County is. The sense of community and idea that all of us are in this together makes it a great place to live and work. The fact that Lewis County is such a close-knit community makes it rewarding to grow and nurture our loyal customer base." 

What advice would you give to someone doing business in Lewis County?

"Take good care of everyone around you, from your employees to your customers and even your competitors. People notice when you provide the extra level of care and genuine thought. Especially, in a smaller community it's paramount to take the long view on customer relationships and services provided. Additionally, it is very important to maintain consistency, people appreciate your business if they know what to expect (services, hours, labor rates, etc.)."

What are some of the current projects you are working on and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

"Currently, we are revamping our front desk area as well as the office space used by our new Service Writer. We are also exploring ways we can support the increasing number of Electric Vehicles. Lastly, we are planning a couple facility updates that include an air filtration system and solar power system."

Are there any local partnerships or organizations that have helped you along in your business journey?

"There are too many individuals, companies, and organizations that have helped Monnat Bros. through the years to list; however, local Emergency Services including Law Enforcement deserve a special callout for their routinely provided roadside assistance."