Five Quick Ways to Improve your Installation Bay
By Todd Ramsey
MECP Program Manager

Every shop has little things that slow down productivity or contribute to a job taking longer than expected. MECP wants to help you work smarter with five simple things you can do to improve the work flow in the installation bay. You’re probably already doing some of these things, but it never hurts to review and improve your workplace.

Take your bay to the Next Level with these Easy Steps:

1) Create and use a detailed work order system – This should be no less than a single sheet that describes everything from location of components to the type of materials used in finishing. Customers appreciate details and it makes you look much more professional, not to mention there are fewer chances for the important details to get lost in the shuffle.

2) Place reorder information near the appropriate power tools –Having quick reference laminated reorder lists with vendor and part number information (even approximate costs) helps eliminate wasted time keeping up on the consumables of your shop’s power tools. It’s an easy way to keep a running list of what you should order at each interval.

3) Test every charging system before working on the car – Most people overlook this simple but very important element. It’s our fault by association (even if it really isn’t) when a car is having an electrical problem after installation. There are charging system evaluation routines detailed in the MECP Advanced and Master Installation Technician study guides. The extra benefit is that by taking real time evaluations as outlined in the guides, you can also spot the onset of problems or make important electrical system upgrade recommendations. Customers will appreciate knowing about a problem before it surfaces.

4) Use tool carts – By using a tool cart instead of a tool box, you eliminate wasted time walking back and forth.  Saving minutes per job adds up to hours saved every year.

5) Invest in a cyclone dust collection system – Most shops constantly fight the dust from cutting and routering MDF and other substrates. Fit your shop with a cyclonic dust collection system (think Dyson vacuums) rather than the bag systems, and you’ll have a much more efficient way to collect and separate dust. No more pumping fine dust back into the shop. With the dust under control, customer cars and the shop stay cleaner, resulting in a professional and more productive environment.

These five easy changes will improve the productivity of your shop almost immediately. MECP installation technicians should strive to work smarter and present a professional workplace. Do you have a tip that has helped productivity in your own shop? Tell us about it by e-mailing MECP@MECP.com.