Locating CAL Isuzu’s new service centre strategically, and conveniently right next door to a VTNZ testing station and a 24/7 BP Truck Stop, provides a one-stop-shop for transport industry clients.
The newly-opened facility was the vision of CAL Isuzu owner and managing director Ashok Parbhu, with group aftersales manager Craig McFall managing the project from conception to completion.
“This service centre was created to meet growing customer demand, and because we’ve started from scratch, we have the latest equipment and technology available,” McFall says.
“Another plus is the convenient location, it’s on a smaller site close to our market that is readily and easily accessible for all types of trucks and buses to get in and out of.”
McFall says the Cryers Road site becomes an extension of the primary Auckland-based CAL Isuzu sales, parts and service operation located nearby in Lady Ruby Drive, allowing the business to move vehicles and technicians between the two centres as required.
He notes that the Lady Ruby Drive service centre is also expanding, and another five service bays became available to CAL Isuzu fleet customers in early September.
Conceiving the project in October 2015 led to CAL Isuzu taking over the Cryers Road premises in April 2016 — it had previously operated as a heavy transport tyre sales and repair outlet.
Before re-opening for business in early August, the newly-acquired building required major refurbishing and reconfiguring to be fit for CAL Isuzu’s intended purpose.
McFall says CAL Isuzu is investing more than $250,000 in the fit-out of the building to bring it up to the required standard, which includes redeveloping the pit inspection area, resurfacing the workshop floors appropriately, installing LED lighting, installing airlines, and metered oil dispensing.
Brake testing is available at the adjacent VTNZ building if required.
Four of the five new service bays have drive-through access, and there is plenty of space for customer/visitor parking and truck movements.
All of the new operation’s diagnostic tooling and equipment is brand new, as are all the other specialist tools, floor jacks, axle stands and other necessary tools of the trade, according to McFall.
Staffing with a mixture of youth and experience is another area that CAL Isuzu is addressing with its new operation.
“We’ve initially employed three staff — including a new diesel mechanical apprentice — for this site, and we have more staff coming to join the branch shortly,” McFall says.
“I’m actively seeking more apprentices — we are certainly keen to train more of them.”
Source: DieselTalk
