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Garage workshop plans: how to adapt to new trends

Written by Lino Di Betta | 16 November 2023

The design and fitting out of a workshop undoubtedly requires competence and expertise to adapt the space to safety, design and functional requirements.

However, there is another aspect that cannot be overlooked and that concerns the environment's response to new trends and tendencies on the rise: on the other hand, the automotive sector is very aware of these dynamics and influences its future prospects and strategies.

In today's article we discuss about garage workshop plans, the latest innovations in the market, how they affect the set-up of workshops, dealerships and official maintenance networks, and how not to be caught unprepared by relying on the ideal partner.

Garage workshop plans: the goals

The objective of furnishing a workshop is to create a functional, safe, efficient and visually pleasing environment.

Among the must-haves of an accurate and detailed project is the analysis of new trends and tendencies and the study of their impact on the sector. These, in fact, by influencing the automotive market, define developments, scenarios and perspectives also with regard to the professional fitting out and furnishing of spaces.

In today's article we will take an in-depth look at the trends that are revolutionising the automotive industry in the modern era. Here are all the topics we will cover: you can jump to the one that interests you by clicking the dedicated paragraph.

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Workshop equipment and trends: the role of Corporate Identity

Corporate identity plays a crucial role in brand identity.

Indeed, it is through Brand Identity that a company presents itself to the world and builds its reputation.

Creating a solid image takes time and effort to reach the public effectively and consistently. In the automotive sector, the goal is to be instantly recognisable, creating lasting links with the public and standing out from the competition. This involves clearly communicating one's vision through various channels. The approach should be driven by original designs, strong and innovative concepts aimed at the target audience.

Building and maintaining a strong position in the market requires considerable resources, both product and customer experience oriented.

In the automotive industry, Corporate Identity guidelines outline brand management, including standards for workshop and dealership fit-outs. But that's not all, today more than ever, sustainability issues and new trends drive the strategies of the industry and characterise the strategy of brands; these elements are therefore part of the Corporate Identity guidelines, with the aim of orienting the brand identity towards new and inevitable horizons. This makes it possible both to respond effectively to market trends and to adapt to the latest regulations and legislative aspects.

Based on these points, an experienced furniture and fit-out supplier can help workshops in creating safe, efficient, compliant environments. Read on in the next paragraph to find out what makes for an efficient workshop design and outfitting that meets the most ambitious business goals.

How to meet the needs of the automotive workshop? The principles of the ideal partner

The organisation of work spaces in the automotive sector requires detailed analysis to ensure an optimal outcome. It is essential to ensure a safe environment that minimises any risk to workers and visitors.

Furnishings for workshops and body shops should be practical, organised, and aesthetically pleasing to increase efficiency and productivity. An environment with high standards is distinguished by the care with which materials are chosen, the quality and durability of the finishes and the Made in Italy production - which guarantees immediate product availability and processing times compatible with the need for functional spaces in a short time.

Let's take a look at the essential steps guaranteed by a trusted partner in setting up a set-up for a complex space - such as a workshop, an official maintenance network or a dealership.

Defining objectives

It is crucial to have a dialogue with the customer to understand his needs, analyse productivity and management challenges, and finally recognise areas for enhancement. Showing the customer previous projects and configurations will help him understand the company's approach in the planning phase. An experienced fit-out company visits the customer in person, assesses the environments and proactively and decisively proposes solutions, also to improve existing working methods.

Rendering

Visualising on paper the complexities expressed and the solutions to overcome them through graphical representations and 3D drawings is essential to gain visibility of the actual final output.

Customer presentation

An experienced workshop fitter also distinguishes himself in the way he communicates with the customer. It is essential that every aspect of the proposed project is explained and discussed in detail. At this stage, the supplier's real ability to grasp the customer's needs and provide tailor-made answers becomes apparent.

Project enhancement

Integrating customer feedback gathered during the presentation is the key to refining the plan, including aspects and suggestions that have emerged.

Now that we have seen what a complex workshop environment design is based on, let's delve into how to adapt the workspace to the new trends of sustainability and vehicle care.

Automotive trends and tendencies in the modern age: from electric vehicles to Detailing

Sustainability in the automotive sector is now a fundamental pillar, guiding all processes: design, production and end-of-life management of products.

With increasing global awareness of climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions, the automotive industry has undertaken significant efforts to reinvent and renew its practices. This has led to the emergence of electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as an increasingly intensive search for sustainable materials and environmentally friendly production processes.

The set-up of an automotive environment must align with the most profound changes in the market, providing brands with spaces adapted to the new needs - through a combination of technological innovation and a strategy geared towards reducing its impact.

How is Automotive furniture evolving to respond to sustainability trends?

Sustainability goals can be pursued if one relies on forward-looking partners. Within the workplace, virtuous behaviour such as the correct disposal of sorted waste is a plus.

In this case, the set-up must be designed so that the waste areas are integrated in several places in the working environment and are large enough to contain the day's quantity.

Some modules for the collection of used oils and liquids can also be designed in a smart way, so that the trays are removable - thus allowing drainage - while maintaining the rustproof characteristics necessary for durability.

When it comes to material durability, important ecological decisions can be made by companies to furnish their spaces. Opting for quality Made in Italy furnishings, made with quality materials and finishes, ensures a working environment that performs well over the decades and does not require maintenance or renovation.

Space for electric vehicles: how workshop equipment evolves

In recent years, hybrid and electric vehicles have spread exponentially, requiring garages to adapt with new systems as well.

Today, it is unthinkable that the workshop is not also equipped to accommodate electric vehicles. This development has direct consequences on the way workshops are set up and how they operate, in order to respond with targeted and effective services.

However, the workstations for these cars have very different characteristics to those for other vehicles. The electric car workstation is very different from an ordinary car workstation. This technicality, which has a direct impact on the operation of the technicians and their daily performance, must be taken into account when designing new fittings, in order to find the most suitable furnishing solution to respond to this and to new rising trends.

Unlike conventional vehicles, electric vehicles require specialised environments. For example, tools are needed for the management and diagnosis of high-voltage batteries, as well as equipment for the maintenance of electric motors and advanced electronic control systems. It is also necessary to integrate charging stations within the spaces to test and verify vehicle charging systems during maintenance.

Garage workshop plans: the Detailing trend

In Automotive, Detailing refers to the care and attention to detail in the aesthetic treatment of vehicles, ranging from thorough cleaning to paint protection and maintenance. In recent years, Detailing has assumed an increasingly significant role in the context of automotive trends. Detailing allows vehicle owners to stand out, keeping their cars in top condition and preserving their value over time.

Adapting to new trends through partial restructuring? Here's how it can be profitable!

By collaborating with experts capable of creating customised and ad hoc fittings, the company can choose to renovate only a part of the workshop, thus balancing resources, costs and profits.

How does the fine-tuning of a workshop undergoing only partial renovation take place? It starts with a detailed analysis of the project, shared with the customer, followed by the presentation of drawings and renderings.

Once the details have been defined, the chosen area is set up. This approach ensures minimal impact on operations, as the workshop continues to function during the work. Similarly, it allows companies to adapt the workshop to new maintenance requirements linked to the latest trends, such as the increasingly popular work on electric vehicles. Having a revamped workshop quickly, with excellent, Italian-made materials that accommodate the latest trends and without forcing a production stoppage and restructuring of the entire environment, is a great opportunity for brands.

 

In today's article we looked at how to adapt your garage workshop plans to new trends. DEA Italian Worklab is at your side to study the right professional environment for your production needs: one of our technicians is at your disposal for a free, no-obligation consultation. Request it now!