On the road again

Published On: July 1, 2010Categories: Features

Steve Griffith of Marine Tops Unlimited uses his Aeromate van for running around. It’s a mobile shop, complete with sewing machine. Griffith says, “It’s the best piece of advertising I’ve ever bought.”

Being on site in a marina with a van, truck or trailer emblazoned with your canvas business’ name on the side is one way to build business. It’s a valuable marketing tool, one that people can see with their own eyes.
The primary reason many fabricators set up mobile shops is to avoid wasting time traveling back and forth between a boat and their canvas shop after discovering a problem during installation or a tool missing from the travel bag.
Careful planning is essential to avoid wasting time on road trips: plot the route, decide which tools and materials to take and lay out the on-site task sequence.
The van has to be loaded in a way to facilitate completing all the planned work within the designated time period.
A clean and well-organized van assures prospective customers of quality work.

: Griffith installed a computer and printer in the front of his van. He can respond on the spot to price quote requests while working on a job at a marina.

: Griffiths Aeromate van is set up to stow all tools, equipment, fabrics and fasteners he may need at a remote job site. The Aeromate is similar to a mid-size UPS truck. Griffith also has a full-size GMC van and a 24-foot trailer, loaded with tubing, sewing machines and ladders, for multi-day trips.

: Griffith uses extension cords to power his on-site sewing machines. His larger vans are outfitted with an electrical box. He also has generators to use in case electricity isn’t available on the job site.