ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013 - (Page 24)

“If I ever build a shop…” It’s a dream for many and reality for some; moving out of your present cramped, cold and drafty shop with no storage into a new building designed and built from the ground up. How do you get from here to there, and what would be in your perfect shop? e started with someone who has been in the same building for about 30 years. MACS contributor Scott “Gonzo” Walker runs Superior Auto Electric in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His shop is housed in a multi-occupant building in an industrial area, and his specialty is diagnosing and fixing the electrical and related driveability problems that elude others. He’s never thought seriously about moving, but still sees room for improving what he’s got. “What you do determines what your shop should be,” he said. “Our business isn’t ‘while-you-wait’ and many cars come to us on a tow truck from other shops. We have an adequate write-up area but a very small area for waiting because we don’t often need it.” He’s satisfied with his five-door workspace (which can accommodate eight to ten cars inside) but he would wave a magic wand to improve his shop lighting, particularly in the work bays, and install an exhaust management system. “It’s gets really cold with the doors up even a little,” he noted. Another high demand item for him would be computer access points throughout the shop, either wired or wireless. “Nothing’s in those big old books any more, and carrying my laptop around the shop gets really tiring.You still need to get at your information quickly though,” he added. And for sure, he says, he’d put in a wash bay or cleaning area. It might accommodate vehicles but would be mainly used for engines, components, and assemblies. “You wouldn’t believe the condition of some of the stuff that comes in here,” he said. “Everything’s a lot easier to work on when it’s clean.” Good ideas all, and based on long experience. What does your shop do and what’s on your wish list? Building a new shop can be a hard road, but the rewards can be outstanding. It’s a long process – about a year in most cases – and the day to day hassles of dealing with permits, zoning, financing, engineering and other matters can be daunting. Here are three stories from people who have been there. Keith Heilveil runs Village Auto Repair and Maintenance, a full service repair shop in MACS’ hometown of Lansdale, Pa.You’d W never know he built his shop in 1993; the outside looks as clean and modern today as the day it opened. “I looked at an awful lot of block and building materials, probably hundreds” he says. “I wanted the outside appearance to be modern and inviting for a long time.” Immediately adjacent to the auto shop is the two-bay automated “touch free” car wash Keith planned as an additional revenue source. Yet another business line includes the sale and installation of snow plows and a plowing service as well. Keith’s journey began when he knew he had to move out of his rented four-bay shop. He was in an obscure location and without a long-term lease. He knew that any move would require him to stay within his established business area to keep his customer base, but each of the possible locations he looked at would require extensive renovation.“The rehab costs would have been severe,” he said “so I figured the money would be better spent on building.There are some benefits to leasing a property but in this case I couldn’t make it work.” In designing his new shop, Keith reached back into all his previous jobs and “tried to eliminate everything that held me up. It’s all about efficiency.” In his new shop, the design allows the four employees to be as efficient as possible.The service building is designed “doubledeep” so if necessary, each of the five 18 x 28 ft. work bays can accommodate another car ahead of the lift area. It also provides equipment storage and allows tool boxes and supplies to be set well back from the above-ground lifts. “There has to be room to move around” Keith said, and both the long center aisle and the planned space between the lifts and alignment rack allow easy movement.“No one is bumping into unused equipment unless it hasn’t been stored properly by the last user.” Overhead drops from the 22-foot ceiling provide fluids and electrical drops for each bay.The compressor has its own room at the back to keep noise to a minimum, and an efficient heating system keeps the shop shirtsleeve comfortable. Additionally, Keith planned in a structural second-floor over the offices and front desk area.“We were thinking of putting the offices up there, but for now they’re OK on the lower level so this is just storage.” One clever design twist is providing fork-lift access to the upper area so heavy or palleted supplies can be easily stored out of the way. Another of Keith’s design touchstones was an adequate and inviting reception area (he calls it a showroom) with plenty of counter space and seating. He noted that significantly more than half of his customers are women and a pleasant waiting area is a must. Village Auto’s front area offers comfortable seating, a large TV, and complimentary beverages, as well as product promotional materials. A smaller area to the side allows the shop staff to communicate with the desk personnel without disturbing customers. 24 ACTION • January / February 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013

ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013
Table of Contents
Outlook
In Bin
Expansion Valve
Technically RELAY-ted
Under The Southern Cross
Leonard’s Law
MACS Letter to Europe
News & Updates
“if I Ever Build a Shop…”
Valves: Oils, Refrigerants – What to Use?
2012 Pioneer Award Honorees
Virtual View
Association News
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013