Makita
UK has opened their first regional Factory Service Centre (FSC) & Training
Academy in Glasgow’s Govan commercial district to support the rapidly expanding
market penetration of Britain’s number one professional power tool range in
Scotland and Northern England.
Whilst
this new facility is already providing a valuable regional role the FSC has
already been awarded the national responsibility for the secure environment of
servicing of the extensive range of Makita dust extraction machines.
To
carry out maintenance or repair functions on an extractor approved for use with
Class L, M or H dust particulates, the repair facility must protect both the
technician working on the machine as well as the workshop environment from dust
contamination should material escape from the extractor.
The FSC facility
will now handle all dust extraction servicing for the brand right across the
UK.
“The
protection of our staff is paramount and that is why we have made this
substantial investment,” says Norman Dodds, Manager of Service & Training
at the Glasgow FSC.
The
Factory Service Centre & Training Academy covers nearly 1000m³ on South
Street in the G14 area and delivers technical repairs and maintenance services
for the full range of Makita products, including all mains and cordless
construction machines, and the rapidly expanding range of grounds care tools,
including petrol engine products.
Training
is a cornerstone of Makita’s marketing success ensuring that both authorised
distributors and operators are fully conversant with the power tools, how to
obtain the best performance from the machines and how to maintain them for
efficiency and productivity.
Makita offers a full itinerary of training
courses covering the extensive product range. A key course: The Correct
and Safe Use of Handheld Power Tools is a City & Guilds accredited course
which offers either a user certificate or instructor certificate upon
successful completion of the course.
The
theory element of courses is held in a lecture theatre, followed by the
essential hands-on practical work which is carried out in specially adapted and
fully equipped training workshops. Courses, including Health & Safety
related and Correct Use, are of 1 – 2 days duration.
Any CITB
certificated courses, which may include a combination of in-house and on-site
training, relate to Abrasive Wheel training; an instructor’s course or user
course. Gas Nailer user training, chainsaw cross cutting and service
courses, are also available.
“We
are receiving a very warm welcome from all sectors of the power tool industry
in this part of the world,” reports Norman Dodds. “I foresee that we will need
to increase our staff and in particular our training personnel as demand grows
from both employers and operators who can now benefit from this convenient
location.”
