Daf dealer group Harris Daf has opened a new, purpose-built five-bay workshop and ATF service at its principal site in Grays, Essex.

The workshop will bolster the Harris Daf service in the home counties, supporting its dealerships in High Wycombe, Lea Valley and Witham, with further VMU facilities in Slough and Harlow.

The 900 square-metre workshop at Harris DAF Grays is situated on a two-acre plot adjacent to the existing premises.

It has five full-length bays and planning exists to extend the workshop footprint to accommodate 10 bays.

Equipment includes a BM roller-brake tester set in the ground to deliver ‘meaningful’ test results as laid down by the DVSA.

The equipment will initially perform 50 vehicle tests per night with potential to ramp-up to 100 at full capacity.

Managing director Gary Carpenter said: “We’re excited with the potential that our new workshop provides for operators.

“Demand from customers for a high level of service is only increasing and we expect to be very busy going forward.”

The new investment will generate employment opportunities for 15 technicians over the next 12-months, including an intake of five DAF Apprentices.

In a recent interview with Fleet News, David Kiss, managing director of Daf Trucks UK and Ireland, stressed the importance of a comprehensive and thriving dealer network to Daf’s ongoing success.

“One of our responsibilities as a manufacturer is to support and build an extremely strong dealer network, and I’m very proud of ours,” he said.