Fargo, North Dakota-based Gateway Automotive has been singing the praises of integrated service bay technician toolboxes and workbenches since 2006. That’s when it embarked on a remodeling campaign at its Chevrolet Cadillac dealership to increase technician storage and improve efficiency while promoting the professional image it was seeking. After that successful renovation, Gateway wanted a repeat performance down the road at its brand new Nissan Hyundai facility. With the help of Border States Electric (BSE) and Lista International, Gateway designed a stunning and efficient technician service area, upping the ante even further by adding new productivity enhancements, like under-bench hose reel cabinets and hydraulic pump lift controls.
New service facility seeks solutions to improve flow and increase productivity
Gateway Automotive knew work was not flowing smoothly at its existing Nissan Hyundai service facility, and they were not getting the productivity they wanted because of the way the shop was configured. With eight service bays, four wide by two deep, the shop was small, dark, and congested. Since it was also at capacity for service work, Gateway decided to consider expansion as a way to improve productivity and add capacity, both for current and future needs.
An engineering cost analysis suggested that building a new facility would be more cost-effective than adding or remodeling. This decision created a clean slate, and Gateway decided to reach for the stars. “Since we were starting from scratch, we wanted to plan the best and most efficient facility, both now and for the future,” said Dan Dardis, Gateways’ Service Manager.
During their design planning, Gateway incorporated numerous green features including using waste oil to heat the shop and incorporating green building materials. But their quest for the perfect technician space was where they really let their imagination loose.
Dardis explains that Gateway wanted the new service facility, now expanded to 19 service bays, to be efficient and professional looking. They wanted a uniform “clean cut” look, so if they brought people to the service area during repairs, it would look presentable and attractive. They also wanted to provide enough space for tools and design a space that focused on efficiency.
Gateway looked around at various options, discussing them with BSE, their local distributor. They ultimately selected Lista International, with whom they had worked on the successful 2006 renovation project. “We decided to go with Lista because we know their product works,” said Dardis.
According to Peter Bouley, account manager for the industrial supply division of Fargo, ND-based BSE, Gateway is on the cutting edge of the trend toward renovating service departments to make them more appealing and professional looking. “More and more of the dealerships we work with are trying to get away from the traditional dark and dingy work area to one that’s well lit, clean and appealing,” said Bouley. “They are trying to appeal to a broader spectrum, including women, who have a lot to say about the kind of service center to use.”
Uniform stations designed for convenience, productivity and aesthetics
Gateway went all out to design the ideal service area for technicians. Beginning with a takeoff of the earlier dealership project, BSE and Gateway reviewed what was working with their technicians and their preferences for making their life easier and more productive. BSE had ideas on the best configurations based on recent consultations with Lista for other service shop remodeling projects. Lista also helped by consulting on new product upgrades and making suggestions on sizes that would be most appropriate for the Nissan Hyundai shop.
In the old shop, each mechanic had his own private toolbox and storage setup with a complete mismatch of different cabinets and workbenches, and lots of clutter. Toolboxes ranged from small to large, in a rainbow of colors. The new cabinets, all in the distinctive Nissan red, are sleek and aesthetic, making the stations uniform and well balanced. Clutter is eliminated, with space for service towels and rags, service manuals, and a computer for diagnostics.
Says Dardis, “The toolboxes are designed well, and are extremely sturdy and very attractive looking. The red paint does not chip easily, and the boxes stand up well in the environment of lubricants we use.”
A few changes were made from the earlier dealership to take advantage of new and upgraded products as well as productivity improvements. For example, the Nissan upper cabinets have sloped tops so they are not used as a storage location, and can remain clean and clutter free. External hose reel cabinets were placed in special cabinets under the benches, so nothing is hanging from the ceiling. Rather than
“We absolutely love the new setup,” said Dardis. “It’s not only great basic storage, but the hose reel cabinets keep everything out of the way and make it so easy to clean up.” Dardis goes on to enumerate the considerable productivity benefits of the new setup. He explains that technicians have oil, air and water right there at the base, so they no longer have to walk halfway across the shop. Giving them access at their fingertips makes it more efficient for them and increases bottom line revenue. “It may only take a few minutes per vehicle but multiply that by 15 to 20 vehicles per bay, and you can calculate the outstanding productivity improvements.”
Take the example of the oil distribution system. In the old shop, the oil pump was run by the parts department. When a technician wanted oil, he had to send in a request to the parts department for five quarts to be let out of the spigot, located 30 to 50 feet way. After waiting for the parts department to bill out the oil, the technician had to walk to the spigot, pump the oil and walk back. Since his was usually not the only request, he might have to wait as much as 10 to 15 minutes for a turn. Now, each technician has oil at his fingertips, equipped with a nozzle that features a digital readout and a keypad. After inputting a PIN and password, the oil is instantly billed and the technician can pump the required amount.
One other nice feature in the setup is the incorporation of a small storage nook shared by two bays for storage of items like floor squeegees and fire extinguishers. An in-ground exhaust hose ventilates the area, so there are no potential issues with carbon monoxide.
BSE is extremely proud of the results, which it attributes in part to how easy it is to work with Lista. Peter Bouley credits Lista as being one of the best companies from the point of seeing an order through completion, especially since things always come up when doing the installation. Construction delays, changes made because something didn’t make its way onto the blueprint from the design—Lista accommodated them all in a professional manner.
John Weinberger, Lista’s Midwest territory sales manager was also very gratified by the project’s success. “We were able to provide Gateway Nissan a customized solution using standard product from our automotive offering”. This would not have been possible five years ago.
He explains that Lista has greatly increased its automotive service product offerings over the past few years in response to the trend towards a clean, standardized service area. Providing technicians with overhead storage, as well as giving them cabinets for manuals and hose reel cabinets for fluids, is one of the bigger changes and enhancements added recently. He was especially proud that Gateway had enough confidence in Lista as a manufacturer and supplier to call them back on a new project.
Concludes Bouley, “I thoroughly enjoy working on these types of projects because they are a bit out of the ordinary and the customer is thrilled with the results. Every job we have done since the first one has been as a result of showing the previous job in a portfolio. The past history gives customers a measure of confidence in what you will produce for them, leading to future customer satisfaction.”
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