Because of their positive presence in the Mexico area for more than twenty-five years, Ben’s Auto Body has been selected as the honoree for the 24th Annual Commerce and Industry Dinner. Sponsored by the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Mexico to recognize a local business or industry for outstanding contributions to the economic growth of Mexico and for dedicated community service, the dinner will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Knights of Columbus Hall. In keeping with owner Ben Steinman’s dedication to service to the community, Ben’s Auto Body will have motivational speaker David Sandy speak at the dinner.

Besides a reputation for well-trained and courteous customer service, Ben’s Auto Body is probably the only body shop in Missouri with an official deer crossing sign at their front door and the only automotive repair facility that owns its own train. 

According to George Huffman, president of the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce, “Ben’s Auto Body exemplifies all the great qualities of the community – honesty, fairness, courtesy – and they support this community. From his investment in his new facility, one of the cleanest, most orderly body shops in existence, to all the hours spent on his train at area fairs and festivals, Ben Steinman and his employees believe that Mexico epitomizes the “Mainstreet of the Midwest.”

Ben Steinman opened Ben’s Auto Body in 1981 in an 1800-square-foot  building that was unheated and rented. He would come in at 4 a.m. to paint cars when no one was around because there was no paint booth and the fumes would fill the building and office. Space was limited, so Ben’s added a second shift with two technicians working from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. to help with the workload and retain his clients.

In 1987, Ben’s Auto Body moved into a 9,000-square-foot vacant tractor dealership on a 6-acre tract on the southern edge of Mexico. In 2000, the facility added an additional 6000 square feet to accommodate more equipment and added a mechanical department to better serve their customers. His employees are all trained in customer service and have professional certification in their area of expertise (painting, detailing, wheel alignments, etc.)

In the mid 1990s, while on a trip to Iowa, Steinman saw a miniature train giving children rides at an outside festival. Knowing it would be popular in mid-Missouri, he borrowed the idea and ran with it. After a number of years of sponsorship by local businesses and banks, Ben’s Auto Body is the sole owner of the miniature train bringing smiles to children throughout Missouri. Steinman is the chief engineer of the John Deere Garden tractor which pulls the eight cars. Eddie Sydenstricker and  Sydenstricker Implement Company provide this “little John Deere engine.”
Nearly two years after New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina, Steinman made a trip to that area and was deeply moved by the devastation he witnessed and as president of the Missouri/Kansas Chapter of the Automotive Services Association he helped coordinate the donation of various automotive repairs tools from the local chapter to ASA members in New Orleans.

Ben’s Auto Body is co-sponsor of Safety Town and he has been chairman of this event for 17 years. He has supported the Mexico Chamber Golf Tournament, youth baseball teams and the Audrain Medical Center Auxiliary auction, the Sunset Festivals, Mexico Relay for Life, Mexico Project Graduation, the Handi-Shop, and the Missouri Veterans’ Home. 

Steinman and his wife Shirley, who is an important contributor to the success of the body shop, live in Mexico. Steinman has a son, Nick, who is Production Manager at Ben’s Auto Body and stepsons, Mike, Eric, Dennis, Jeff and Mark Lierheimer.  Ben Steinman is a past president of the Mexico Rotary Club and is active in Mexico Elk’s Lodge No. 919 and the Travelers Protective Association.

For reservations for the Commerce and Industry Dinner in honor of Ben’s Auto Body on Oct. 14 at the Knights of Columbus Hall call the Chamber at 581-2765. 

Tickets are $35 per person with the social hour at 6 p.m., the dinner at 7 p.m. followed by the motivational speaker, Dave Sandy, and the presentation honoring  Ben’s Auto Body.