According to an industry overview by Stertil-Koni, today’s technicians, in addition to seeking higher compensation, are demanding better working conditions as many shops are poorly lit, unorganized and lack modern equipment to help technicians get their work done efficiently and safely.
Enter highly engineered shop equipment designed to boost tech performance, safety and job satisfaction.
“The scope of the labor challenge confronting many of the industries we serve – from transit agencies and school bus fleets to trucking companies and utilities – is massive. In fact, some industry experts predict there will be a shortage of more than 640,000 shop technicians by 2024," said Jean DellAmore, president of Stertil-Koni. "While there is no single solution, we have found that choosing the right equipment for specific vehicle service and repair functions does indeed help attract and retain qualified technicians by improving their safety, workplace morale and overall performance.”
For example, Stertil-Koni has transitioned to full-color touch screen controls on all its major vehicle lifting systems, thereby delivering real-time information on the lifting process to the technician on the shop floor. In addition, all of the lifts manufactured by Stertil-Koni utilize durable, reliable hydraulic technology for safe lifting and lowering every time.
“What’s more,” added DellAmore, “we build our lifts with high tensile Domex steel and provide a mechanical locking system on our lifts as standard. And, because these locks engage precisely on established tight parameters when a vehicle is being raised or lowered – preventing unintended descent -- the technicians operating them can literally hear our distinctive ‘ker-thunk’ sound every time they operate our products."
But job satisfaction and safety initiatives don’t stop there. Stertil-Koni also advocates the use of robust shop equipment and accessories to further ease the burden on hard-working technicians. Motorized transmission jacks and air over hydraulic jacks also can help alleviate some of the strain associated with the routine tasks shop technicians encounter virtually every day – and provide an ergonomically sound approach.
“At Stertil-Koni, we appreciate that there are many factors that have led to a shortage of skilled techs at this point in time. That said, we also recognize that those shops and maintenance facilities that select the right mix of equipment for specific functions can help attract and retain qualified technicians – particularly by improving their safety, efficiency and sense of self-worth,” concluded DellAmore.
