Looking at the blue box posted on the previous page (assuming Id get 1/2 of that total setup), it wouldn't hold all my tools. I can see techs who have serious tool investments, being furious they're being told to ditch the boxes they paid for, change the organizational methods that work for them, and make it work with whatever dealer decided was sufficient. Do you at least get to keep your cart?
Let's break this down into two different service department models.
1) The OLD School Model - This is where every tech gets to decide what their entire work space looks like; their own box, bench, whatever.... The Tech, who busts his **** for a paycheck not only has to buy their own tools but also has to buy a toolbox. The tool truck boxes are generally very expensive, leaving the tech with a big long term payment plan. They can express their individuality with whatever they want their work space to look like. The work spaces are usually a collection of disorganized stuff that more often than not look like a junk shop. I'm not trying to be mean, that's just how it is and how the customer often sees it.
2) The NEW School Model - This is where every tech is provided with a toolbox and other work space accoutrements like an integrated bench, overheads, bulk storage, cart garages, etc. The dealership sets the look and feel of the shop, not the techs. The tech no longer has to shell out megabucks for a tool box and those that own them already have to find a place to store, sell, or bring home their box. From the customers perspective, the shops look professional, neat, and very orderly.
The dealerships don't make money on new car sales because of the competitive nature. They make their money on parts, service, and probably on used cars. The manufacturers no longer want a service shop to have the look and feel of a bygone era, they want the service departments to not only be a center of service excellence but to also look the part.
We have installed 100's of integrated work stations and have seen and heard it all. Some of the transformations have been remarkable and at the end of the day, it's all about building a business that makes the customers feel good about spending their money. The techs also like the fact that they can keep more of their paycheck each week rather than handing it over to the tool truck guy.
And to answer you cart question ... Very often the integrated work space will include a service cart that has a nice locking garage cabinet to keep it secure while not in use.
Just like politics, there are good and bad points to this debate but the reality is that all of the dealerships are either changing to or contemplating a change to the NEW School Model. It is not going away any time soon.
