Ridley Coaches, a family-run business in Warwickshire, is known for its focus on safety, reliability, and well-kept vehicles. To continue improving, they brought in V-Tech UK to upgrade their workshop. The main aims were to improve inspection quality, enable technicians to work more efficiently, and support future growth.
Ridley Coaches needed a modern workshop that could handle large coaches and be able to keep up with daily maintenance during the upgrade. The plan included a new 17-metre inspection pit, improved servicing facilities, a safer operating environment, and continued use of their current brake tester. They also wanted a tough, professional floor and mobile lifts that work both inside and outside.
Minimal Operational Disruption
During the project, the team worked to keep things running smoothly and make sure vehicle maintenance continued. V-Tech handled everything from planning to final handover, providing a full turnkey solution. By working closely with Ridley Coaches and overseeing all the main subcontractors, V-Tech completed the project with minimal disruption.
To keep the workshop running during groundworks, V-Tech supplied six 7.5-tonne wireless mobile column lifts before the main installation began. With waterproof covers, these lifts let Ridley Coaches safely service vehicles outside while the new workshop was being constructed. These wireless, heavy-duty mobile column lifts are a highly efficient solution for lifting heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses, and trailers.
A Carefully Planned Installation
The main part of the project was the installation of a 17-metre inspection pit, including all groundworks. The pit was designed for Ridley Coaches’ fleet, making access safer and work more efficient. It includes BM53000 wheel-play detectors, which help spot wear in steering, suspension, and chassis parts more quickly and accurately. These upgrades enhance inspection standards and help reduce downtime.
The inspection pit includes a mobile oil drainer for clean fluid handling and a 20-tonne pit jack for safely lifting heavy vehicles. Services such as airlines and lighting were also added to the new pit. V-Tech also incorporated Ridley Coaches’ existing brake tester into the new layout. A shallow recess was created to allow them to continue using their equipment and enjoy a much better workspace.
Once the building work was done, V-Tech installed a full epoxy resin floor in the workshop. This tough, non-porous surface withstands oils, chemicals, and heavy use, keeping the workshop cleaner and more professional-looking. The epoxy resin was used to create demarcation lines and chevrons around the inspection pit. The result is a professional, attractive, hard-wearing and safety-compliant finish.
Future-Ready Workshop Facilities
The finished project has transformed Ridley Coaches’ workshop into a modern, efficient space ready for the future. Careful planning and phased work meant servicing could continue during the upgrade, helped by the early use of mobile column lifts. The new workshop is now more flexible, with both pit-based inspections and mobile lifting indoors or outdoors, and the epoxy floor stands up to the demands of a busy workshop.
The new facility helps Ridley Coaches maintain its focus on quality, safety, and reliable vehicles and positions it for future growth. We would like to thank the team at Ridley’s for choosing V-Tech to deliver this project, and wish them all the best for the future.
As you can see, this project truly showcases V-Tech’s expertise in providing well-rounded workshop solutions. Our careful planning, professional execution, and genuine understanding of what commercial vehicle operators require really shine through.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your workshop, V-Tech can handle everything from design and construction to installation and commissioning, all with minimal disruption and lasting value.
From design and layout to equipment supply, installation, and training, we can support you through the whole process. Call our team on 0208 498 1288 or email sales@v-techuk.com
