"We were the first dealership in the area to put in Rousseau’s high density storage, and we know of other dealers that have switched to Rousseau once they saw our parts room.’’

Rallye BMW, Westbury, NY

Challenge Complete, New 12,000 SQ Foot Parts Room for a high volume Dealership in the process of construction.

Goal To create a high density , easily accessible storage solution for a very busy dealership with a large and high volume inventory.

Rousseau Solution Drawers in Shelving, Spider ® Shelving, Counter Cabinets, Specialized Racks.

Rallye BMW is both a high quality and high volume dealership.  When faced with a blank slate for their new 12,000 SQ Foot Parts room, Parts Manager - Mike Kozlow went looking for the best storage solution on the market.  At the eleventh hour, not completely satisfied after meeting and receiving pricing from 2 Storage Solution companies, Mike and Larry Powell, Parts and Service Director, contacted our Automotive Specialist to discuss the Rousseau Automotive Service Line. ‘’Tony Rotondo at V & H blew us away with his presentation, both with the high quality and flexibility of Rousseau products but also with his professionalism, experience and ideas, ‘’ said Mike.  Rallye said that they made their final decision based on the quality, appearance and superior design of the Rousseau line. They were very impressed by their ability to grasp and visualize their high density volume, need for easy accessibility and at how closely he worked with Rallye. He provided floor plans, configurations and always came to the table with well thought out ideas and suggestions.  Together they created a personalized storage solution with a unique waterfall hanging system that was perfect for storage of steering and suspension components, springs and other hard to store items. Mike recalls, ‘’We knew we were trying to store a 5 lb bag of apples in a 2 lb bag and they hit the bull’s eye. Not once did they push any product that was not 100% needed, ‘’ Mike appreciates the versatility, functionality and high quality of Rousseau products, especially thesmooth roller bearing glide on the drawers and their lifetime warranty. Rallye was also very impressed with the installation of their parts room.  The team of intstallers worked efficiently and in perfect precision and had a system that left nothing to chance. ‘’You could tell that they respected the product by how they handled each item during the installation. We were pleased to see that they respected the environment as every cardboard box was stacked and taken for recycling. We were also impressed that the team took the time to show us how the product was installed so that we could make changes in the future if needed. ‘’ In the past two and a half years, Rallye has experienced no mechanical problems, breakdowns or failures. In addition they have enjoyed the continual expandability of Rousseau accessories and options and have added to their existing parts room.  As inventories change and expand, Rousseau offers versatile ways of changing and adapting to new requirements. Mike Kozlow has the Final Word: Mike’s final words, ‘’I have never had the pleasure of working with a more organized, well-caring, and truly professional company. We were the first dealership in the area to put in Rousseau’s high density storage, and we know of other dealers that have switched to Rousseau once they saw our parts room.’’

80 new workstations delight prosthetics laboratory technicians

Bloorview Kids Rehab, Ontario, Canada

Challenge The layout of a new work space that would ensure that technicians have fast access to their work tools while also providing storage solution needs.

Goal Add storage space. Have a new, ergonomic work space.

Rousseau Solution Workstations, "R" cabinets, flipper doors, roll-out shelves, modular drawers in shelving and Mini-racking.

"We were able to achieve the intent of having tools close at hand in an attractive ergonomic environment,’’ says Sumant Singh (Project Consultant/Manager) about the way that Rousseau was able to facilitate the work for technicians at Bloorview Kids Rehab located in Ontario.  The clinic specializes in the production of artificial arms and legs, primarily for children and youth, as well as prosthetics and adapted devices.  He explains: ‘’We wanted workbenches for our new clinical technology building.’’  This is where Metric Storage Systems came in.   Andy Robb, a salesperson at Metric for more than 13 years recalls:  ‘’They were moving into a new building.  The area to convert was a large section of the 4th floor of the building, with some additional equipment on a couple of other floors.    He adds: ‘’They were replacing existing equipment and wanted to add storage. We had to provide workstations with a lot of storage for tools and equipment that is needed by their technicians to make prosthetics.’’  The order was comprised of 79 tables and the same quantity of ‘’R’’ cabinets that were to be installed under the tables.  ‘’There were flipper doors and roll-out shelves, Rousseau modular drawers in shelving and Mini-Racking.  It’s one of the largest projects I’ve ever done,’’ adds Robb.   While the project was being carried out, the salesperson noted that Rousseau’s approach was impeccable.  He said that it went very well and added that the customer is happy because they got more storage space and more workspace. Working with Singh, the end-user and Metric Storage, Rousseau was able to meet very challenging delivery targets while maintaining the requirements of the specifications and quality. This certainly made it easier to meet the process and space planning objectives of having a complex department fully integrated in one area.  Speaking of the new look of the workspace, Singh adds:  ‘’We made many improvements through this consultative approach.  The color, which is midnight blue, adds to aesthetics of a lab of this type and size, while ensuring that we maintained a professional look and feel”.  “We also have new above bench accessories, many drawers and lights based on the planned station activities and the particular skill mix.’’   As for his experience with Rousseau, Andy Robb highlights the ever evolving nature of the company:  ‘’They are constantly making improvements.  Some companies on the market never change their products.  They are not as flexible as Rousseau is.’’

A great achievment nestled in the heart of a rock...

Manic-3 Dam - Hydro Quebec, Quebec, Canada

Challenge Complete renovation of the technical room.

Goal Improved ergonomics, greater functionality and a more pleasing look. Take a look at the history of the Manic-3 project.

Rousseau Solution Workstations with accessories, a large 8 foot drawing table made of wood with cabinets underneath, including drawers for storage.

Renovations had been planned. The technical room was not suitable for current needs and the layout lacked efficiency. ‘’The workshop was obsolete and the wall shelving was in disarray. The filing was haphazard,’’ explains Bernard Jourdain, technician at Manic-3. A visit from Jacques Bossé of Fercomat and the Rousseau sales Representative, Christian Gagnon helped to organize the layout of the workspace.    ‘’With the new technology, equipment has changed. We had to create space,’’ recalls Jacques Bossé. He adds: ‘’During an earlier visit at our offices in Baie Comeau, the people from Hydro had been impressed by the wide variety of possibilities that the Rousseau product line offered. We could do what we wanted: modify, add accessories, etc.’’ He had already been won over.   The project then progressed step by step. ‘’The idea was to help them to be more functional,’’ explains Christian Gagnon. ‘’The staff at Hydro arrived with a goal that they wanted to accomplish and we made a proposal,’’ adds Bossé.   The solution included the following products: workstations with accessories, a large 8 foot drawing table made of wood with cabinets underneath, including drawers for storage. ” To this they added an interesting option, the possibility of installing other storage facilities on the side of the work table.   Plus, the Rousseau representative adapted a mobile cart in order to replace an outdated, unstable system that was in place. The old system was not able to ensure the security of the control equipment that had to be transported to the electrical central. A master-stroke of ingenuity!   Surprising Results   The assembling of the technical room was achieved by a team of ‘’civil mechanics’’ from Hydro Quebec. Bernard Jourdain recalls: ‘’We requested to have the products partially assembled. With the drawings and sketches that we had, we were able to do the rest. It was done very quickly.’’    Speaking of the reaction of the Hydro Quebec technicians, Bossé attests: "They were thrilled. They were surprised at the ease of the installations. The new technology of the workstations makes the tasks so much easier, and more enjoyable. The flexibility of the products is particularly appreciated. Each workstation can be adapted for each technician, whether left or right handed.  Plus, everything is interchangeable. Before, everything was screwed in place, which made it difficult to make changes as everything had to be taken apart first. Rousseau has definitely taken care of the problem.’’   The technician located at the Manic-3 central is really pleased with the results. He states: ‘’We have improved ergonomics, a more attractive workspace, and this is only the start!’’ This gives us just a glimpse of the future possibilities. The duo of Gagnon-Bossé are well aware that this project will surely inspire others of the same type. ‘’They are very proud of their equipment,’’ says Gagnon.  ‘’They are very attractive dams and they want to have attractive sites. This is a sector in development.’’ Bossé continues, ‘’The new trend in storage areas for the companies is: we want to see what we have, and we want to be able to find it when we need it!’’   Here’s betting that they will all fall for the efficiency of the Rousseau product line !

Rousseau Gives a New Look to a Traditional College

Algonquin College, Ottawa, Canada

Challenge Make more efficient use of the space available and acquire more space per square foot and stop moving cameras from one section to another.

Goal Improve the organization of their audio visual storage room with a high-security storage solution.

Rousseau Solution Spider® shelving with locking doors, modular drawers in shelving, modular cabinets and workstation.

Algonquin college, proudly established on Woodroffe Street in Ottawa, needed to make some changes with their storage system in order to provide better protection for their audio visual equipment.  The college was already using some Rousseau Spider® shelving, so they once again called on Rousseau products to meet the challenge. Steve Mazerall, a representative from Amrack recalls :  “We received a call from the college.  They explained they needed to improve the organization of their audio visual storage room.”  The equipment they were using at that time was not really meeting the needs of the faculty.  Duane McNair, who was responsible for the Algonquin college project explained:  “Our basic need was to make more efficient use of the space we had and acquire more space per square foot in our TV Broadcasting Program building.”  The customer also mentioned the importance of having a high-security storage solution.  “We needed drawers that would lock because we had to store expensive lenses, cameras, and audio equipment.” After observing the storage system that the college had been using, Mazerall understood the problem right away.  “There was a lot of open shelving and the cameras moved from one section another.  Also, there was too much space between the shelves.”  The representative recommended the customer to go with Rousseau Spider® shelving, and they made different plans before placing the order.  In the end, closed shelving units were installed, some with doors and locks, and others with drawers, as well as modular cabinets and workstations.  According to Mazerall, the product assembly went really well.  “We received all the material on a Friday and did the assembly the day after.  Our team already knew Rousseau shelving very well, so the installation only took two days.”  Mazerall has been selling products from different companies for 15 years.  He knows his shelving!  “I’m familiar with shelving,” he says, “when I started to work with Rousseau products, I realized how easy it is to put their shelving together.  Everything fits perfectly.” Another Department Follows Suit More recently, the Department of Photography at Algonquin college has also transformed their department.  “We were running out of space to store our photographic equipment,” explains McNair.  Amrack was called for help.  “We provided 2 Spider® units with drawers and many racks, 27 open shelves, 1 workstation and two wall-mounted cabinets,” notes Mazerall. All of these new changes have contributed greatly to the overall beauty of this reputable college.  The building has a lot of windows, so passers-by can get an idea of the interior layout of the building.  The manager of this project is very proud of the results.  “It looks more professional; it’s more esthetically pleasing.”  And speaking of the more practical aspects, he adds: “  There is more room to store equipment.  Everything is set up in a much more efficient manner.” Mazerall couldn’t be more pleased. “Before the storage rooms were redone, it was all open shelving that did not offer any efficient use.  There was a lot of wasted space.  Now, there is much more storage space that also offers improved security.  We got rid of all the plastic bins and containers.  The work area looks really nice – the colors are light gray and Avalanche blue.  When people come into the room, they are impressed by how nice it looks.”

Rousseau “gets it right” with their “Parts Store” storage solution

Eagle Auto Mall, Riverside, NY

Challenge New, multi-brand dealership required storage system for its 2-level parts department that services 6 automotive brands. The job needed to be planned, designed and installed within a very limited time frame.

Goal To offer a main stock room area with a logical and efficient method of re-stocking and retrieving inventory, a second-level storage area designated for bulk storage, and all of this with products that can be re-configured for future needs.

Rousseau Solution Spider® Shelving with modular drawers, modular drawer cabinets, Mini-Racking and workstations.

“Fix it right the first time,” is the goal of the parts department at Eagle Auto Mall in Riverhead, NY.  The company was building a brand new, multi-brand dealership.  They needed help to design, layout and install their new parts department that would service 6 brands.  The fast-moving central stockroom at this facility required some fast thinking in order to create a parts department that would meet some very specific storage needs Before the construction of the new building, Eagle Auto Mall had been using a small stock room to store the bulk of its fast moving smaller parts.  This area used a combination of sliding shelf automotive bins, bulk bins, and wide-span shelving.  The area was cramped and congested, with poor work flow due to the older, inadequate storage equipment.  Big changes were needed for the new, 2-story parts store.  General Manager/ Parts store manager Walter Bonczyk explains why in the end, they felt confident to go with Rousseau Metal for the job :  “We needed quality product that could offer a high-density storage solution for the many parts and lines we carry.  After 31 years of experience in this field, I recognized that Rousseau products offered everything we needed.  We also wanted a company that would go as far as to design and layout the parts store on very short notice, and deliver and install in our limited time. “ A Rousseau Metal representative, Mr. Chip Pretto, evaluated the new facility, and designed and planned the entire layout for the new parts department.  His recommendation was a combination of Rousseau storage products, that would work in a complementary and systematic way.  The first floor central stockroom included Rousseau modular drawer cabinets, Spider ® Shelving with Modular drawers, bulk storage racks and Rousseau workstations.  The second floor was  mainly a bulk-storage area so Rousseau Mini-Racking and archiving units were used.  The goal was to offer a main stock room area with a logical and efficient method of re-stocking and retrieving inventory, as well as products that could be re-configured for future needs.  Bonczyk says he was amazed by the knowledgeable and motivated representative who knew exactly “where, what, and how”.   This being particularly important due to timing, which was very tight. Eagle Auto Mall could not be more pleased with the end result.  “The high density cabinets really facilitate quick location of parts”, says Bonczyk, “plus, the layout and presentation is modern and attractive.  It makes a pleasant working environment.  The overall efficiency is better, which means more production and ultimately, more revenue.” Bonczyk really enjoyed the experience of working together with the Rousseau team. “Every detail of this project, from the planning and layout, right down to the installation,  was carried out with conscientiousness and concern.  This is something you very rarely see in companies today”, he says. In keeping up with the Eagle Auto Mall Parts Department’s motto,  Rousseau Metal really did “fix it right, the first time”.

Rousseau helps to maximize space at automotive dealership.

Lakehead Motors, Thunder Bay, Canada

Challenge Limited floor space and old, inefficient storage equipment hinder productivity in parts department at automotive dealership.

Goal To implement a logical and efficient storage system that will optimize existing space and increase employee productivity.

Rousseau Solution Spider® Shelving with drawers, Mini-Racking, modular drawer cabinets, workstations, and shelf-supported mezzanine.

“I knew there was space being wasted at our facility, but I had no idea to what extent!” Mr. Michael Comuzzi, president of Lakehead Motors, is speaking of the renovations that took place at his dealership in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  Rousseau Metal, along with their distributor Equipment World, were given the order to proceed with an installation encompassing a complete new parts department that included servicing the mechanical shop and parts store areas.  The original shelving at the dealership, which has since been removed, was made of wood, and initially Mr. Comuzzi thought it would be necessary to add an addition on to his facility.  Equipment World, along with a representative from Rousseau Metal,  performed a space utilization survey using the Rousseau recommended format to determine the type of shelving, racking and drawers required.  Equipment World projected the amount of space to be gained at 60%.  This meant using only 40% of the existing space.  The installation consisted of drawers in shelving, wide-span shelving (Mini-Racking, stand-alone cabinets, counter-top areas, workstations and shelf-supported mezzanine. This was all designed using the Rousseau Spider® Shelving system. Total scope of project :  - 1200 square feet of mezzanine; - 150 Modular Drawers; - 500 shelves. The Rousseau system allowed for a more user friendly and efficient parts dispensing system that enables faster customer service, and a quicker turnaround for their own mechanical-service technicians.  As to the actual installation of the products, the customer had no downtime due to the innovative services offered by the distributor’s installation division.  Disruptions were avoided by jacking up all shelving and placing it onto carts; wheeling the complete bays of fully loaded shelving out of the existing parts room to other parts of the dealership.  As all the delivery targets were met due to the accurate delivery schedules coordinated by Rousseau and their distributor, the entire installation process ran smoothly. Before After