BAC Systems offers advice to independent service centres looking to setup their workspace

When you accept any vehicle, rather than focus on a niche or a particular brand, setting up a workshop requires additional care.
Not only are you without the guidelines of a Corporate Image package, the cheat-sheet for all franchise managers building a new dealership, but you also need to anticipate the future needs of servicing past, present and future vehicles for an unknown scope of vehicles.
This will translate into discussions of turning circles, hoist clearances and limits, and lubricant types.
“At BAC Systems, we also realise that an important discussion between planners will be workshop furniture and storage allowances,” BAC Systems Director / Sales and Marketing Manager, Robert Griffin, said.
Tool storage is often a major issue. Without a CI guideline for the workshop, most independents will have their mechanics bring their own toolboxes and tools, which accounts for the general tasks, however, branded special tools is a different story.
Tool-lease schemes can take care of the rarely used tools, but there will be a range of regular tools to consider, and these will need storage.
“With the potential for many special tools of various brands, as well as generics, a workshop manager may be tempted to buy some cheap shelving and throw some plastic tubs on them, but this is an obvious route to lost tools and lots of time wasted looking for them,” Robert said.
“At BAC Systems, we offer a drawer system, set-up with individual locations for each tool, and this makes it easier to catalogue your tool locations.
“These drawers will last forever and can be easily adjusted when tools change.
“These drawers can be combined with a BAC Wall Panel System with dedicated hooks and posts for tool mounting to ensure that your tool store is efficient.
“BAC can even provide you with layout designs to help you plan around both your small tools (drawers and Panel) and your large tools (shelf storage and floor space) so that you have effective access and order.”

In the workshop, workbenches are almost an optional extra for some dealership workshops, whereas, in an independent workshop, workbenches are a necessary item.
“This is because actual repairs and rebuilds happen in these workshops – not just part replacement,” Robert said.
“Rare or discontinued parts are fixed up, rather than simply being replaced. A workbench is a diagnostic area, as much as a work surface.
“Mechanics benefit from having a surface of a reasonable size upon which they can lay out their parts needing repair or assembly.
“These workbenches can be fitted with many features that would make operations simple. These include power, integrated oil, air and water reels, and plenty of storage.
“When providing tool drawers for their mechanics, the independent workshops will require more tool storage as a wider range of tools will be necessary for the wider range of cars being serviced.
“With a wider range of vehicles being serviced, it is reasonable to expect that there will be more to store.
“With a high-density storage system designed to be used in workshops and tool stores/parts stores, BAC Systems can be counted on to provide you with the most efficient approach to your workshop storage.
“To arrange a free on-site consultation anywhere across Australia, please contact the BAC Technical Sales Team on bacsales@bacsystems.com.au or 02 9832 2777.”

For more information, visit www.bacsystems.com.au