Demand for Certificate of Fitness testing has seen Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ) open a new facility in Gore, in partnership with Transport Repairs.
Thanks to the recent Vehicle Licensing Reforms implemented by central government, VINZ saw an opportunity to support customers in Gore by offering a full locally-based testing service for the commercial vehicle fleet.
Previously, some local transport operators chose to drive their heavy commercial vehicles to major centres, such as Dunedin or Invercargill, to procure such services.
Together, VINZ and Truck Repairs identified there was a great opportunity to support regional growth in Gore and the surrounding area, by providing servicing and regulatory inspections for local transport services.
Currently Truck Repairs services more than 1700 vehicles a year, and now those vehicles can also have COF inspections carried out at the VINZ Testing Station on the premises.
VINZ chief executive Gordon Shaw says local transport operators needed a one-stop-shop to save time, fuel, and aid productivity. He noted that waiting times at inspectorates in other centres was also a concern to the Gore-based operators.
Shaw also comments that the partnership business model used in Gore could also be utilised in other towns in Southland and Otago at a later date.
The VINZ testing station in Gore is part of a 10 hectare heavy commercial vehicle service facility that has been developed by Truck Repairs.
There is a new seven bay service building and parts warehouse, with a truck wash area, as well as the stand-alone VINZ Testing station.
The VINZ testing station is manned by qualified and experience VINZ inspectors, and should demand require it, there is a second testing lane within the Truck Repairs facility that the inspectorate has access to, for high demand periods.
Having a local one-stop-shop will save industry time, fuel and wear on assets, including trucks and roads. It will increase productivity and create jobs for the region.
VINZ says it will continue to make strategic investment decisions to grow its inspection facilities across the country, and to also partner with companies such as Truck Repairs, to offer a full service approach to the commercial vehicle fleet in NZ.
In partnership with Truck Repairs, VINZ will be holding the official opening of its Gore testing station on Friday February 19, 2016.
