What We Did
Project Overview
North Haven Auto Body, a long term customer, selected Munger Construction for a Building Renewal and New Construction expansion. Their building has undergone several expansion projects including adding over 11,000 SF of high bay service space, parts and paint storage, employee facilities, and private office space for the owner.
Auto Body & Repair
Expansion/Interior Fit-Up/Solar
Testimonial
What the client had to say about us
Testimonial
"We hired Munger to expand the workshop and to upgrade the interior and exterior appearance of our 1938 facility to improve workflow conditions and worker productivity. This was quite a feat since Munger completed its work while the business remained in full operation. I seriously doubt that another contractor could have pulled it off with down time next to nothing. A trusted relationship allows confidence to say I’d never use anyone else. We became a professional company. When you pull into the driveway, you know you’re in a different place. People stop by to see what we’re up to."
Bob McSherry
Owner, North Haven Auto Body
Case Study
The Situation
Recent doubling of sales had overwhelmed the available space causing poor workflow conditions that impacted productivity of workers who were spending 20 hours per week moving cars in and out of the facility in order to complete the various stages of repair work. Owner Bob McSherry decided to expand the workshop and to upgrade the interior and exterior appearance of this 1938 facility.
Problem
The Challenges
1
The existing workshop space was fully operational, so the biggest challenge was protecting equipment and workers from winter weather during construction without interrupting business operations.
2
Construction took place during harsh 25-degree winter conditions, requiring a controlled environment suitable for pouring concrete.
3
The site had uneven elevation and poor drainage, which needed to be addressed before construction could begin.
4
The original 1950s masonry front office needed to be visually integrated with the new construction to create a cohesive, modern appearance.
Solution
The Resolutions
1
Munger built a new 8,800 sq-ft Varco-Pruden metal building above the old workshop. Once the new structure was weather-tight, the old building was demolished, ensuring uninterrupted operations throughout the process.
2
Temporary gas lines and electricity were installed during cold conditions to provide a heated, 65-degree environment that was suitable for pouring the new concrete slab.
3
Significant drainage work and the addition of structural-quality fill were completed to establish a consistent elevation from the back to the front of the site.
4
The original masonry front office was enhanced with overhanging wood trusses and VP’s metal roofing system, which spanned seamlessly from office to workshop at the same elevation. VP siding was installed over the original structure, giving the entire facility a large, bright, modern, and professional look, as though it had been built all at once.
Outcome
the final product
Proficiency is a baseline requirement for long-term profitability in the auto body business. Station-to-station workflow improvements and additional capacity provided a natural affinity to double weekly volume as management discovered what could be done when the comfort zone has been expanded. The front office has become a one-stop shop for customers and insurance companies. Dedicated office space for insurance adjusters creates a positive image and streamlines the paperwork process. It enables a working partnership with companies like Travelers and GEICO who use this space for all their area business. In addition to having work space, they are on site to monitor work being done on customer vehicles. When claimants enter the office to deal with the adjuster, they are attracted to North Haven Auto Body for their repair work.