$\"Syndicate$
The Syndicate team: Royce Rachman, Andrew Herrera, and Patti Herrera.<\/p><\/div>\n
We recently caught up with Andrew Herrera, the president of Syndicate Customs,\u00a0for a quick Q&A sesh. (Don’t worry… we’re not going to re-visit the old air vs. juice debate!)<\/span><\/p>\n
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0How and when did you get started in this industry?<\/span>
\nAndrew Herrera:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0In 2000, when we opened up a small suspension shop in San Dimas.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0 What’s the best part of your job?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0The satisfaction of completing a job.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Have you always been interested in classic cars?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Yes. Growing up, my dad would take me to the Pomona Swap Meet and I became enamored with classic cars. We would work on his ’77 International Scout Terra II together and I’ve enjoyed turning a wrench ever since.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Do you currently own a classic car?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0 Not at the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0If you won the lottery tonight, what kind of classic car would you buy?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a01955 Nomad.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Any favorite memories of the Pomona Swap Meet that you would like to share with us?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0It was great a feeling going from being a spectator to a vendor for the first time, and showcasing our work after many years of admiring other people’s work.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Ford or Chevy, or???<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0 No preference. Every make has an awesome classic.<\/span><\/p>\n
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TELL US ABOUT SYNDICATE\u00a0CUSTOMS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Tell us a little bit about your company and its history.<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0In the summer of 2000, I opened a small retail store and installation shop called CHP (California Horse Power) Wheels and Accessories in the city of San Dimas. We specialized in suspension work, wheels, and accessories. For personal reasons, I closed the shop a couple of years later and decided to purchase an Al and Ed’s Auto Sound franchise in Costa Mesa. The audio store operated from 2002 to 2006, when I sold the store and left the industry to help my parents with the family business. But after a few years, I got the itch to go back to what I enjoyed doing so much. In February 2012, I opened up a small store and installation shop in the city of Ontario. It wasn’t long before we grew and moved to Montclair. In 2015, we moved once again to a bigger facility in the city of Upland, where we currently operate our online and brick and mortar stores, along with our large install shop.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0What’s your most requested service?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Airbag installations.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0How long do installs typically take?\u00a0<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0It really depends on the set up. It can take anywhere from a couple hours to a week or\u00a0a month, or even longer.<\/span><\/p>\n
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PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0What kind of cars do you typically work on?<\/span>
\n AH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Mostly classics. We do a lot of custom fabrication to get what the customer wants.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0How long have you been coming to Pomona?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0I’ve been attending since the mid 90s as a spectator, and for the last 2 years as a vendor.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Do you offer all of your products and services at the Swap Meet?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0We offer some products, but not all at the show. There’s no way we could take everything or do any installation there.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0What are your most popular items at the Swap Meet? What sells fast?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Airbag parts. We sell lots of Accuair, Air Lift, and Universal Air parts.<\/span><\/p>\n
PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Do you offer any special swap meet deals or discounts?<\/span>
\nAH:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Yes! If you see us at the show and you want a quote, we offer show specials. You can find us on Road 17, Spaces 11 and 13<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t