According to the latest government figures, sales in the U.S. auto industry are set to reach a five-year high.  As a result, American car dealers are not only scrambling to find new cars to sell but also searching for quality sales people

Finding the right employees in a suddenly booming car economy has been a challenge several U.S. dealerships are facing proactively aligned with the unique strategic service of Marketplace Chaplains.

Dallas-based Huffines Auto Dealerships sells more than 13,000 new and used vehicles a year and principal dealer Ray Huffines, President and CEO, said having Marketplace Chaplains in his multi-location company helps him find and attract the right employees.

“We believe continuity is very valuable to our organization and our customers. Our emphasis on training includes Marketplace Chaplains who come by our dealership weekly, connecting with our employees to help our team members handle any personal issue they may need to talk about.”

Marketplace Chaplains is a voluntary, confidential, non-denominational service currently serving client companies in 44 states, 957 cities and 2,928 service locations, in 23 different service industries, providing care, support and encouragement to over 525,000 employees and their family members.

“The Chaplains conduct weddings, funerals, visit our team members in the hospital and, otherwise serve our large and growing team,” Huffines said.

Roger Burdick, Owner and President of Driver’s Village, a large auto dealership which covers a former shopping mall in upstate New York, said having Marketplace Chaplains has been a huge help for his service.

“They (chaplains) keep my business problems small. I could not possibly do what they do in ministering to 300+ employees. They have made a significant impact on the emotional and spiritual lives of my employees, drawing us closer as a family,” said Burdick.

With the auto business predicted to rise to new heights in 2013, Mike Peebles at Barbee’s Freeway Ford outside of Denver, Colorado, knows it’s critical to have the right employees in place for both the boom and lean times.

“Marketplace Chaplains is something I can credit for getting and hiring the right people for our business,” Peebles said. “You never know what is around the corner in the auto business. I’ve seen a bit of everything and I would certainly recommend Marketplace Chaplains.”

Many dealers and clients of Marketplace list their Chaplain Care Team service as a benefit on their websites. Those owners who tangibly offer this level of care see many high-quality employees attracted to their dealerships.

Marketplace Chaplains’ President and COO Dick De Witt spent most of his early career in the Institutional frozen food brokerage business and knows having the right sales people are a vital part to business growth.

“In years of abundance as well as those times of testing, amidst success and stress, it’s gratifying to see and hear these auto dealers celebrate the presence of dedicated Marketplace Chaplains for their employees and their family members 24/7,” said De Witt.