Followed. Hey, saw pics of the new site construction. Can you tell us more about it? Glad to see you're "movin' on up!"
Hey Tony,
Sure can! To say this is a long time coming, is an understatement... but its still a long road ahead. This facility will be a destination, not just a "shop".
Here are the plans, roughly:
Phase 1; [1-2 years for full completion]
This phase is what we are starting now, and will be approximately 10,500 Sq/Ft when completed. 7000 is 1st floor, 3500 is second. The right half of the building [2-story] is the "office" section 1, and the left half [1-story] is the "shop" section 2.
The Offices will include:
-Reception
-Conference Room
-Owner Office
-Manager Office
-Engineering Office
-Shipping/Receiving
-Stock & Storage
-Dedicated Engine Build/Clean Room
-Restrooms
-Storage
........ and my favorite: VIP Room
Since I know that everyone is already asking what the "VIP" room is, well... you need to first understand what this building will be. Wipe away any idea you have for a "shop". This will be on the cutting edge when completed: Automated entrances at certain points, RFID and Fingerprint Recognition for access control, 24/7 motion based digital recording system throughout, radiant floor heating, Air Conditioning throughout, etc. The entire layout and technology package is all current tech for maximum control and access, not just what will get the job done.
The VIP room will be our "members only" room, which quite literally has some resemblance to a club mentality. It is a place to hang out, a place to host, and a place to feel at home. It will be a very up-scale and "warm feeling" type of decor, from leather and hardwood, to pool table and 3D TV to a possible in-wall salt water aquarium forming the wall between the VIP area and the shop. There will be many perks to VIP, from room access, to discounts and priority access to certain techs, to "rubbing shoulders" with certain other VIP Members and guests. I will leave it with saying... you will kick yourself in the ass (right off a bridge) if you are within driving distance and not a member
The shop will include:
-(6) 2-post lifts in front [2 deep, 3 wide]
-(2) 4-post lifts in the rear
-dyno cell in the rear-middle [Likely Dynojet 224XLC]
-Automated tire machine/balancer designed for exotic wheels
-TIG welding center
-Manual machining & fabrication area
Phase 2: [Approximately 5 years completion time dependning on market/economy & machine shop demand]
Building will be extended to the left an additional 7000 SqFt, effectively doubling the floor plan. Building addition will be split down the middle [Section 3 & 4]
Section 3:
Machining Department will be for all internal production, as well as contractual work with local machine shops during down time.
-Upcoming CNC machining center with CAM tables
-Vertical and horizontal multi-tool CNC
-Auto-Feed CNC Profiling Lathe
-Wire EDM center
Section 4:
-Strictly Automotive Storage. To be fitted with 4x4 (16) 4-post lifts, which can be configurable from 16-car full access summer storage, to 32 car no-access winter storage depending on demand. Other services to be combined with storage.
I know... just a *tad* on the bold side
Of course a LOT of this depends on the economy and any new nonsense the state and locals throw in my way, but that is the general idea of where I am looking to go. There is a lot more of course, and other things I want to get involved in or bring in-house, but these are the major ones.