AFGRI expands its Wongan Hills machinery workshop as part of massive multi-million dollar state-wide project

AFGRI Equipment is undergoing a multi-million-dollar investment in its branches across the State to improve customer service and branch capabilities. AFGRI clients in the Wongan Hills area have started to see that investment unfold with the construction of a massive heavy-duty machinery shed for improved service and repairs. The shed has the capacity to hold up to six large machinery items at any one time and will eventually have an overhead crane for improved capability and safety for engineering staff while they work. It will also improve waste disposal as the floor is designed to capture any liquid spills. AFRGI Wongan Hills branch manager Brendan Barratt said the roof stands at a height of 7.5m and the two roller doors, one 20m in length at the front of the building and one 12m on the side, are 6m high to cater for the larger machinery items. There will also be room for an office in the corner and a work bench space at the back of the shed. Mr Barratt said agricultural machinery had been getting larger in size in recent years, to the point it was now difficult to accommodate multiple machines in the current workshop, so “we identified that building a new purpose built workshop will offer our customers better service”. AFGRI management has provided their branch managers across the group the responsibility of identifying their service needs and then working through the plans to build new infrastructure. Mr Barratt was in charge of the project from start to finish and said he was looking forward to having it available for use. He said the workshop was running a few weeks behind schedule due to the contractor’s issues with labour, but it will be completed by the end of April. AFGRI service technician David Rowe said the new workshop would enable the staff to work on the machines undercover and out of the weather — which would be a major improvement to working conditions and be better for the machines. “With agricultural machines increasing in size, the current workshop has space limitations where we saw larger headers being worked on outside in the weather,” Mr Rowe said. “The new workshop will allow the team to work on multiple machines, with improved safety and reduce the use of forklifts and tele-handlers once the overhead crane is installed.” The new workshop was phase one of a two phase program to redevelop the branch’s service and repairs facilities. Phase two includes extending the existing parts area and revamping the current workshop to suit future needs. AFGRI commercial director Wessel Oosthuizen said phase two was likely to be completed over the next two-three years. AFGRI is a trusted John Deere dealership in WA and has 19 branches across the State.