Workshop wellbeing 50 www.aftermarketonline.net FEBRUARY 2025 Importance of preventive maintenance contracts In today’s modern workshop, tyre centres and MOT stations, the garage equipment used to service customers vehicles is the backbone of every operation. From wheel alignment machines to vehicle lifts and brake testers, these machines bear the weight — literally and figuratively—of a workshop’s daily workload. While garages prioritise customer vehicles’ safety and performance, it’s crucial not to overlook the safety and functionality of their own equipment. This is where preventative maintenance contracts become indispensable. Garage equipment undergoes significant wear and tear due to continuous usage. Misaligned lifts, inaccurate calibration on diagnostic equipment, or faulty brake testers can not only compromise the quality of service but also put technicians at risk. Safety is not just about protecting customers. It’s about valuing the technicians who use the equipment daily. Preventative maintenance contracts provide reassurance that technicians can operate equipment with confidence, knowing that the machinery they depend on has been expertly and regularly checked. A safe work environment leads to better morale, productivity, and retention of skilled staff. The temptation to skip regular maintenance in favour of cost savings especially when economic times are tough, but it can be a false economy. Unplanned equipment failure can lead to issues such as halted operations because of broken equipment. Preventative maintenance contracts spread costs over time, making them predictable and manageable, while minimising unplanned expenses. But not all preventative maintenance contracts are created equal. Garages should seek contracts that offer regular service schedules and comprehensive coverage for all equipment within the workspace. Straightset has nearly 40 years’ experience in providing and delivering preventative maintenance contracts for many groups and independents across the UK. Email info@straightset.co.uk for details. Cleaning up sustainably Across industry, workers are constantly mopping up spills, leaks or dirty smudges of liquid — but at what cost to profitability and sustainability? Using disposable cleaning cloths or blue industrial paper towel rolls for this purpose is both economically and environmentally expensive. What if, instead, you could ‘hire’ a textile cleaning cloth, return it for washing when it’s dirty, and pick up a clean one? That’s what around 2.8 million employees across Europe do every day with Mewa’s reusable cleaning cloth rental model. Garages and other dirt-intensive workplaces have more need than most for wipes to keep their machinery, equipment and premises clean. In garages, spilled fluids may include lubricants, hydraulic and cooling oils, fuels, anti-freeze and screen wash. Blue roll and oily rags are commonly used to wipe away small spills, while trays are placed under leaks. These liquids pose slipping and skin contact hazards. All waste oils other than edible oils are classed as ‘absolute hazardous’ under the Waste Framework Directive. Wipes contaminated with them must be safely stored and contained in airtight, sealable containers, as they can catch fire if exposed to oxygen. In the Mewa system, clean reusable cloths are delivered as necessary. After use, they are placed in our ‘SaCon’ safety container. From there, they are collected, washed, dried and delivered back to the client — clean. Reusing items is more environmentally sustainable than throwing them away. Companies choosing a green option can enhance their reputation, which helps in attracting and retaining customers and staff. The full legal compliance of Mewa’s system will spare you from health and safety fines, while minimising the risk of costs related to accidents and illness. You will never accidentally run out of cloths or mats, and the washing regime will keep them hygienically clean. For example, the amount of water used to manufacture a disposable 100% paper wipe is 188,500 litres, compared to 4,538 litres to produce a MEWATEX wipe. Similarly, the amount of CO2 emissions created in its production is 33.3kg of CO2 compared to just 11.9kg/ CO2 for our MEWATEX wipes. By opting for the Mewa system, you will also be supporting our related contributions to sustainability. These include recovering and burning oil and fat from cloths to meet up to 80% of the energy demand for their washing and drying Visit https://www.mewa.co.uk/ contact/ for more information.
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