In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Cloquet Automotive.

Cloquet Automotive has operated in business in Cloquet since 1982. Bruce Becker worked here starting in 1982 after gaining education and experience working with heavy equipment and machinery. He purchased Cloquet Automotive in January 1988 from former owner Dick Shikes and expanded the building in 2002, doubling its size. “The more you take on, the more space you need,” said Becker. As such, they specialize in manual and automatic drive transmissions, differentials, and transfer cases; they do not do alignments.  

Becker currently has two employees, himself and his son Kyle Becker, but typically employs four people. With the shortage of automotive techs across the United States, finding a skilled workforce has been challenging. Supply chain inconsistencies have led to more patient customers after the pandemic.

“Since the pandemic, the business has been overwhelming, with average repair shops not having the ability to custom build transmissions or make H.D. changes better than the original units. H.D. option parts allow us here to fix the vehicles better than the way they came from the factory,” said owner Bruce Becker. 

Becker explained that in the last five to ten years, repair shops have taken on transmission work via “boxed transmission units.” The differentiator is that Cloquet Automotive offers customization of transmissions with quality parts.

Cloquet Automotive has built its business on word of mouth and maintains a quality website. They offer the following services:   

• Transmission Rebuild & Repair Service


• Differential Repair & Service 


• Battery and Charging System


• Belts and Hoses


• Brake Inspections & Repair Service


• Clutch Repair & Service


• Drivetrain Service & Repair


• Oil, Fluid & Filter Change Service


• Fuel & Electrical Systems Services


• Heating & Cooling Systems services


• Engine Repair & Service


• Suspension service and repair