The Mike Rudert Group is the marketing umbrella for a cluster of companies with one goal: to improve your life by helping you create the perfect shop-from planning to installation and maintenance. The group has come a long way since its humble beginning in the back room of Michael and Ramona Rudert's tiny apartment in 1978. Selling a single line of frame straightening equipment under the name Autoquip, the company incorporated in 1981 and changed its name to Professional Automotive Equipment, Inc. The small sales staff traveled six western states in search of customers and soon established a core of customers, many of whom remain loyal today. In 1985 the company opened an office and warehouse location on Kensington Avenue in South Salt Lake. Professional Automotive Equipment gained a reputation as a pioneer of new technology by bringing many "firsts" to the Intermountain area--and in some cases the entire country. Some of these include the Bear Telatronic and Hunter A111 and D111 computerized wheel alignment systems, Mohawk lifts, Hans Hougaard asymmetric above-floor lifts and OMER parallelogram lifts. In the region's collision repair market, the company sold the first Spraybake downdraft baking paint booths, IRT infrared curing systems, Brewco and Car-O-Liner frame racks and Car-O-Tronic computerized measuring systems. With the proliferation of products and competitors in its niche market, the company understood that it needed a business strategy to set it apart from other equipment sellers. Based on proven elements such as responsive service, the company's plan aimed to penetrate varied market segments and emphasize its turnkey project capabilites. Beginning in 1995, The Mike Rudert Group founded several companies to assist customers with "start to finish" services for building or expanding a shop. Predictable Building Systems, Inc offers steel frame buildings and components for shop construction projects. TOMIAC Consulting, Inc prepares business plans and financing proposals for SBA and conventional loans. Consultants also assist with building and fire code compliance by providing complete project packages for local fire and building department officials. Monster Equipment Corp is a "no frills" company that liquidates used equipment taken in trade or on consignment. To give special attention to the growing automotive paint booth market, BoothSource, Inc. was formed in early 2000. In 2002, the group relocated its offices and warehouse to its current North Salt Lake location. Staff members in each company continue to provide products and services that help customers to create the perfect shop. Michael Rudert began his career in the automotive repair industry during his post-high school years by working in a Salt Lake City service station. While in college, he ventured into entrepreneurship as part owner of a dune buggy building and Volkswagen repair shop.