Garage equipment & tools 26 www.aftermarketonline.net APRIL 2026 Transforming an active workshop with minimal disruption Refurbishing a workshop at a busy facility requires careful planning, as a recent project carried out by Straightset demonstrates. Straightset states that it supports customers not only in developing new workshops but also in upgrading existing facilities to create modern, efficient environments aligned with current operational requirements. This approach was reflected in a recent project to refurbish a Porsche dealership in Exeter, where the company supplied and installed new workshop equipment designed to meet future needs. Workshop refurbishments typically require more planning than new-build projects, particularly when the site must remain operational throughout. In this project, maintaining daily workshop activity was a key consideration from the outset, meaning installations had to be carefully phased and carried out over multiple site visits. In addition, this project wasn’t just a refurbishment; it was also an extension of the existing workshop, allowing the dealership to expand its service offering and overall capacity. Keeping disruption to a minimum was a major priority during the project to avoid lost revenue and customer inconvenience. This directly influenced the decision to install above-ground vehicle lifts throughout the workshop. Unlike in-ground lift cassettes, which require considerable excavation works, above-ground systems allowed Straightset to avoid sometimes costly, disruptive groundwork and reduce installation time as a result. Phasing the work in conjunction with the developer incrementally also ensured workshop downtime was kept to an absolute minimum. The refurbishment itself was centred around future-proofing the workshop while maximising efficiency and flexibility. A key aspect of the installation was the fitting of nine brand new EV 2-post vehicle lifts, complete with articulated lifting pads specifically designed for servicing electric vehicles, ensuring the workshop is fully prepared for the evolving demands of the automotive industry. To further enhance the workshop’s capabilities, a dedicated wheel alignment bay featuring a wheelfree scissor lift was installed, alongside an electro-hydraulic platform scissor lift, to support a wide range of service and repair tasks. The project included the integration of a bespoke modular workbench system with oil dispensing, compressed air, top-up water and lubrication dispensing services, vehicle exhaust extraction and distribution pipework, and a complete oil monitoring and stock solution. Commenting on the refurbishment project, the site manager commented: “The Straightset engineers did a cracking job, we are really happy with the work.” As part of its commitment to supporting customers not just throughout the installation process but long after completion, Straightset strengthened its national after-sales support and employed an experienced technician living locally to the Exeter site. This was done to enable any initial teething issues, additional training requirements, or technical support needs to be addressed quickly and efficiently. Refurbishments like this example aren’t just about updating a workshop; they create a foundation for growth, innovation, and long-term success. www.straightset.co.uk
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