In July 2002 Maranello Sales service centre at Tower Garage, Egham, was
transferred to a brand new facility close to the Ferrari Maserati U.K. headquarters
building in nearby Thorpe, under the direction of Keith Wilson, the Aftersales
Manager.
The reasons for such an investment was to increase the overall level of service to
customers by reducing workshop lead times, site congestion, providing dedicated
collection and delivery teams, and to locate workshop and bodyshop reception in
one area.
With a workshop floor area of 2,065 square metres it is believed to be the largest
dedicated Ferrari – Maserati service facility in the world.
The reception entrance is on the front corner of the building, leading into the
spacious main reception area that features red and blue leather armchairs around
coffee tables, together with beverage facilities. This enables clients to wait in air
conditioned comfort whilst checking in, or collecting their car. The main
administration offices are behind the reception desk, along the front of the building
and on the first floor above this area.
The main workshop area is vast, incorporating thirty-eight work bays with ramps,
arranged in four rows. Those on the right hand side of the building are for vehicle
quality inspection, road test and diagnostic treatment. In the central bank is a
special station for checking and adjusting vehicle suspension, geometry systems,
together with a dedicated tyre fitting and wheel balancing bay, which also caters for
the needs of the UK run 360 Challenge cars. Each bay is fitted with the latest
factory equipment, and the whole workshop is laid with 84,000 pale grey ceramic
tiles, which coupled with the high roof, gives an aura of light, space, clinical
cleanliness and efficiency. Many people associate official dealerships with current or
recent models, however, at the time of my visit there was a 250 GT Lusso, a 330
GTC and a 365 GTB/4 dotted amongst the 360 Modenas and other modern
examples. At the office end of the workshop is 59 square metres of engine and
gearbox workshop, again with all the latest specialist factory equipment to
undertake virtually any task.
There is also 256 square metres of parts department on two floors to the rear of the
reception area, which features an 8 metre high electronic storage carousel to
maximise space for each of its 18,000 locations. This area has its own client
entrance on the side of the building, with a reception area featuring display cabinets
showing the latest available official Ferrari and Maserati merchandise, which can be
purchased over the counter along with the regular spare parts for their trade and
retail clients. The new centre can also provide full valet facilities, and has a secure
parking area at the rear of the building.
The full address is Unit B, 8 Crabtree Road, Thorpe, Egham, Surrey TW20 8RN,
England.
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