Because proper vehicle lift selection and placement is critical to maximizing space and efficiency in independent repair and collision repair shops, Rotary offers owners and/or their architects free professional facility planning assistance through its assistPRO program. Rotary has recently expanded the assistPRO program to include training courses and a web portal.

“Each year, our assistPRO experts help more than 350 customers with planning new or remodeled vehicle repair shops,” said Cory Powell, Rotary technical information supervisor. "Now we’ve made it easier for owners, architects and others involved in the process to access many valuable resources on their own through our new web portal. Further, we’ve worked with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to develop a unique training course for architects covering vehicle lift regulations and design considerations. This course is eligible for continuing education credits (CEUs)."

AssistPRO experts work with customers and their local Rotary distributors to analyze vehicle turning radius and traffic flow for the types of vehicles to be serviced. From this information, they determine the optimum shop width, where lifts need to be placed and how much work space there will be around each. Then they apply their knowledge of lift capabilities to the customer’s current and future lifting needs to recommend a comprehensive lift selection plan.

At the end of the process, the shop owner and/or architect receives a custom layout of the service facility with all lifts placed appropriately to make the best use of the space. The final drawings are provided in the format that works best for the customer: electronic pdf documents, color prints or CAD drawings.

Many of the tools architects and other planners need to incorporate vehicle lifts into an independent garage design are available through the assistPRO web portal found under "Rotary Services" in the "Services and Support" tab of www.rotarylift.com. Here they can research product information and download written lift specifications and CAD blocks compatible with architectural software.

For more information about assistPRO or any other Rotary Lift products or services, contact your local distributor, call (800) 640-5438 or visit www.rotarylift.com.