JULY 2017 | VehicleServicePros.com 23
Design
What are the stakeholders’ expectations for a
new or remodeled facility?
Leidy says the vision of the facility will shape
the fi nal design.
“Do you want more offi ce space, diff erent
equipment, better lighting, greater clearance or
improved ventilation?” Leidy asks. “A facility in
Southern California will have diff erent needs than
a facility in upstate New York, so each shop ends
up being highly personalized. No two facilities
will work the same way.”
Do the Homework
Shop, fl eet and fl eet maintenance managers are
some of the most important people on the design
team and must be able to see the big picture, Leidy
of MDG notes. Visiting other facilities and talking
to other shops and fl eets is encouraged. Managers
also should keep staff members and any other
concerned parties informed, and fi nd out what
their expectations are for the facility.
“Th e second step – building consensus – can
make or break a project,” he warns.
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Integrate Lifts And Workshop Equipment
Not to be overlooked when
designing a vehicle shop is
the integration of lifts and
workshop equipment says
Radu Pop, national account
sales manager of MAHA USA
(www.maha-usa.com). MAHA
USA engineers and manufacturers
American crafted
vehicle lifts and accessories
for all aspects of heavy
duty and light duty vehicle
maintenance operations.
He offers the following considerations
to help create a
foundation for an efficient
shop design that incorporates
the right equipment
for an overall successful
maintenance operation.
Research and Industry
Resources – Knowledge is
power, so begin with research
and learn from industry
experts, advises MAHA
USA’s Pop. He says a good
resource for shop design is
offered by the Technology
Maintenance Council through
its Recommended Practices
Manual. It combines the
knowledge of industry professionals
to provide guidelines
for fleet maintenance.
TMC (www.trucking.org/
Technology_Council.aspx)
is North America’s premier
technical society for truck
equipment technology
and maintenance.
Material within the TMC
manual relating to the
process of shop design
and equipment are:
• Recommended Practice
(RP) 510, New Facility
Development.
• RP 513, Estimating
Number of Service Bays.
• RP 515, Maintenance
Shop Considerations.
• RP 804, Labor Productivity
Measurement.
• RP 534, Guidelines for
Determining Vehicle Lift
Productivity Efficiencies.
“Whether your maintenance
department is strictly performing
PMs or getting into
transmission R&R (rebuild
and reinstall), having the right
layout and equipment to perform
your daily tasks is crucial
in minimizing downtime
and dwell time,” Pop says.
Ergonomics and
Technician Comfort –
“Utilizing equipment which
improves comfort and ergonomics
for technicians can
help prevent health issues,
reduce accident risks and
increase inspection and
repair accuracy,” Pop says.
“It is well recognized in
the industry that finding
and keeping good technicians
has become a
time-consuming and costly
endeavor. Providing a
shop layout with modern
equipment is appealing for
high-demand technicians
and cultivates professional
development, preserves
employee loyalty and
improves retention rates.”
Identify the Right Lifting
Equipment – The right
lifting equipment may put
more vehicles on the road by
accelerating routine maintenance
and turnaround times.
There are many types of lifts
on the market to accommodate
a variety of work styles,
Pop of MAHA USA says. Key
factors to remember when
choosing lifts for a shop:
• Size of the shop.
• Height of the shop.
• Select a lift manufacturer
to partner with who can
offer sales, training, service
and support throughout
the life of the lift.
• Be sure the lift being
purchased is certified
by an independent third
party and adheres to
ALI (Automotive Lift
Institute) standards.
“This guarantees specific
safety standards have
been met,” says Pop.
Other Workshop
Equipment – Many service
operations invest not only in
lifting equipment, but also in
diagnostics, alignment, wheel
service and testing technology
to improve every aspect
of the vehicle maintenance
process. Pop says that after
determining one’s primary
maintenance initiatives and
what the shop layout can
support, he recommends:
• Always choosing certified
equipment from reputable
service provider who
includes on-site training.
• Making sure technicians
have adequate user-training
in order to maximize
productivity and use
the equipment safely.
Return on Investment
– “With all good business
practice, fleet managers
should always take careful
consideration before making
an investment,” says Pop.
“Depending on your specific
type of maintenance
operation, measuring the
effectiveness of equipment
in your work environment
should not be a difficult
task. Know what best suits
your needs and what will
award you a strong ROI.
“Reputable suppliers will
generally provide equipment
ROIs if they are asked, and
will encourage creating your
own studies. If your shop
design pays for itself in less
than 12 to 18 months, and
generates considerable
amounts of money for
years to come, the acquisition
is well worth it.”
» Among the factors to keep
in mind when selecting a
vehicle lift are the size, height
and layout of the shop.
Photo courtesy of MAHA USA