august2022 - 26

" Pre-pandemic, we were probably looking at
around 40 to 50 trucks that are works in progress
or pulling in at any given time, " Basran said.
" Now we're renting more space just to park them,
so that's an added cost of doing business. "
Basran admitted he was naïve about expansion:
" I didn't realize with every step, we're going
to need more parking. "
Parts are also a major challenge. Extruded
» Fleet Fast technician Sergio Soreque methodically prepping box truck side panels prior to reassembling
the body. This repair process can take one to two weeks, and costs one-third of a full replacement.
Photos: John Hitch | Fleet Maintenance
aluminum and corner caps for the bodies, as well
as certain hoods and other pieces, have pushed
back certain repairs by weeks to months. COVIDrelated
shocks to the global supply chain resonate
even deeper for smaller shops with little bargaining
power, but Basran said larger fleet customers,
such as Penske, can help move things along faster.
And while overflow parking has become a struggle,
the unused automotive bays allow for ample
parts and paint storage.
" A big advantage to our business versus some
others is that we hold around $100,000 in parts
onsite, " operations coordinator Brian Joseph
relayed. " A lot of that is box parts that we can
then put on the truck and have a turnaround time
much lower than other shops in the area. "
Finding the right tools
and partners
The shop has nine technicians, two office employees
who handle logistics and estimates, and a
few drivers to pick up and drop off the vehicles
to fleets. The shop's technicians constantly buzz
around, sanding panels, wrapping a whole chassis
in plastic, and replacing corner caps. The team can
rebuild an entire straight truck's box in a week or
two. It's clear from walking around the premises
that this small team has fabricated an efficient
workflow. However, twenty years ago, the blue " Down
equipment means longer downtime for repairs, so we
have strong relationships with our tool vendors in servicing
and maintaining. They also provide loaners when necessary. "
Raj Basran, president and owner of Fleet Fast
prints were fuzzy outlines in Basran's mind.
" Not having the background of being a tech, or
even training in the industry, I knew that I needed
to partner up with somebody who could teach
me, " Basran said.
After looking around and reasoning a paint
company would provide the best support, Basran
settled on PPG Refinish, which had recently
launched its MVP Business Solutions program.
This offering comprises training, consulting,
tool help, and more. The MVP operations manual
would become Basran's " bible. "
" When I first started, this gave me all of the key
insights into running the facility, " he recalled.
He also connected with a vendor called
Autobody Products Inc. (API) out of Butler,
Pennsylvania, which provides PPG paints and
coatings, tools, and training and service. They
remain Fleet Fast's primary vendor.
Other partners include Morgan Corp., Wabash,
Mickey Truck Bodies, Maxon, Waltco, and 3M.
Certification partners include I-CAR and ASE.
Having established partnerships and getting the
» Usbaldo " Uzzy " Hernandez, who has been a technician at Fleet Fast for seven
years, has been cross-trained to perform several jobs at the shop, including
box repairs, body and paint, welding, and decal installation.
right shop equipment made the transition smoother,
Basran said. This included riveters and plasma
cutters, DuraPlate application/installation kits,
and even truck diagnostic tools.
Basran credits the purchase of eight scissor
lifts as making the biggest impact on technician
26 Fleet Maintenance | August 2022

august2022

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