CLIENT ISSUE
A commercial delivery operator brought their converted refrigerated van to us with typical damage that we frequently encounter in the commercial vehicle sector. The vehicle had sustained damage to the sill panel area while navigating tight delivery spaces, with the metal sill panel in front of the rear wheel requiring replacement and the fibreglass side door surround needing repair. This type of damage commonly occurs when larger vans encounter curbs, low barriers, or parked vehicles in confined spaces during urban deliveries, making it one of the most frequent repair types we handle.
OUR SOLUTION
We provided a comprehensive repair solution that balanced quality with cost-effectiveness, particularly important given the vehicle’s specialised refrigerated conversion. Rather than pursuing expensive replacement of the custom fibreglass panels, we recommended a professional repair approach that would restore the vehicle to full operational standard while minimising costs and downtime for the commercial operator.
THE REPAIR PROCESS
1. Damage Assessment: We conducted a thorough evaluation of both the metal sill panel and fibreglass side door surround to determine the most appropriate repair strategy for each component.
2. Metal Sill Panel Replacement: The damaged metal sill panel in front of the rear wheel was completely replaced with a new component, ensuring structural integrity and proper protection.
3. Fibreglass Panel Repair: Given that this was a converted refrigerated van with custom panels, we opted for a professional repair of the fibreglass side door surround rather than replacement, which would have been significantly more complex and expensive due to the specialised nature of the conversion.
4. Quality Finishing: All repaired and replaced components were finished to match the existing vehicle’s appearance, ensuring seamless integration with the refrigerated van’s specialised bodywork.
5. Facility-Based Completion: The work was completed at our facility over 2.5 days. However, this type of repair could have equally been carried out in a mobile setting if the vehicle’s location had permitted it.
THE OUTCOME
Both the metal sill panel and fibreglass side door surround were successfully restored to full operational condition within 2.5 days. The repair approach proved to be the most time-efficient and economical solution for the customer, particularly given the specialised nature of the refrigerated conversion that would have made panel replacement significantly more complex and costly.
THE CONCLUSION
This case exemplifies the type of damage we encounter regularly in our day-to-day operations, underscoring our expertise in efficiently and cost-effectively handling common commercial vehicle issues. Our ability to assess each situation and recommend the most appropriate repair strategy – whether replacement or professional repair – ensures our customers receive optimal value while maintaining vehicle standards. The flexibility to complete such repairs either at our facility or in mobile settings demonstrates our ability to adapt to meet diverse customer needs.
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