Independent garages could do worse than following the example of one Scottish Toyota dealership who recently turned to Straightset for a complete workshop fit out.
At the start of 2023, Toyota GB approached Straightset with a new challenge. It needed to take an old but high-performing dealership in Scotland and completely overhaul its equipment and workshop space to create a service fit for the future. With poor use of space, uneven floors and tired staff facilities, the time had come for the 45-year-old Helensburgh facility to undergo a major makeover.
Straightset accepted the challenge to bring the site, which comprised of only one MOT bay and four service bays, completely up to date. It had to maximise the site’s capacity and bring it in line with Toyota’s new workshop standards.
Getting to work
Andrew Bates, Straightset’s sales director and project lead, said: “On meeting the owners and management of the dealership, it became very apparent that they were ready to embrace change and to gain the improvement in capacity that the garage needed. However, it would not be an easy or quick transformation; it meant the workshop having to close for four months while the floors were replaced to allow two different floor levels to be merged into one. This was then topped with a fill-pour resin screed and a high build resin floor finish.”
Straightset recommended specialists Conren Resin Flooring for the work, which included layout markings for equipment placement that ensured enhanced safety and full compliance with Toyota GB’s new standards.
The project saw the complete integration of all essential workshop upgrades, which included seven new ramps, a connected MOT setup, and a specialised 4.5T 2-poster ramp, which is designed for use with heavy electric vehicles.
The upgrade was completed with a drivethrough wheel alignment checker, which promised quick alignment checks for every incoming vehicle, potentially boosting alignment service sales. Additionally, relocating the compressor and oil tanks optimised space utilisation, creating a clean and efficient workspace. The initial drawing proposal remained almost unchanged by the time of completion and incorporated a costeffective blend of refitting existing and introducing new equipment.
It involved tearing out a tired staff kitchen and replacing with a new facility, external oil tanks and air compressor storage to maximise workshop space and reduce internal noise, reconfiguring the MOT bay to include wheel alignment capability, which in turn with a building works package greatly improved access into the workshop that was previously compromised by bad positioning.
New Straightset workstation cabinetry, upgraded vehicle lifts, pumped oil, compressed air, water, and the inclusion of a Drive Thru Wheel alignment system in the doorway has turned this site from tired and out of date to a sophisticated workshop to be proud of.
The new space not only enhances customer retention but it is a great working environment for Helensburgh Toyota’s staff. A modern space to work in helps encourage new technicians to join the company, while retaining skilled staff – securing the future of Helensburgh Toyota.
Training studio opens
It’s not only customer workshops that Straightset has been improving lately. In fact, its own headquarters in Worksop has recently benefitted from a new 3,000 sq. ft training studio. The studio will offer a dedicated training space where prospects, customers, distributors and internal staff can gain hands-on experience some of the very latest workshop equipment.
The training studio allows customers to trial and learn about equipment and its suitability. As owners of the well-known Supertracker brand, Straightset can now showcase and demonstrate the full suite of wheel alignment systems including:
- Latest STR1 green laser system from Supertracker providing an opportunity to see the “clarity and precision benefits” for yourself.
- The six- and eight-sensor CCD wheel alignment systems from Supertracker – STR130 and STR420 with hang-on system and three-point clamp options.
- The HPA-Faip C 880 iNEXT a quick and reliable 3D wheel aligner with two camera reading systems.
- The 3D wheel alignment system; Q.Lign technology from Beissbarth – the ultrafast, compact, and connected 3D wheel alignment solution.
- The latest product from Beissbarth; the Q.Lign T-Series – a wall-mounted 3D system with large vertical field of vision for fast, efficient and reliable wheel alignment checks.
- The light and airy studio space also makes available; a tyre changer, wheel balancer, air compressor, scissor lift and an EV 2-Post lift.
It will also feature a dedicated classroom area for interactive, theory-based learning and computer system showcasing.
Customers will also have the opportunity to meet with the newly appointed wheel alignment specialist, Nick Lauff. An expert on everything to do with wheel alignment Nick will be available to help with demonstrations, sales enquiries, service-related questions and information.
