Case Study: DV Motors
One of the beauties of a business partnership is that one can jet off on holiday while the other holds the fort, knowing that nothing’s gone awry once reality looms back into view from the aeroplane window. In the case of DV Motors at Heathhall Business Centre, Valdas Macionis was en route to his native Lithuania while his opposite number David Watts was around to speak to us at their new premises at 156 a to 156 b Hurricane Road.
They moved in on 12th December 2022 and here we delve into why these seasoned motor mechanics decided on Heathhall Business Centre, how their first few months of trading have been, and what their plans are now that there is ample room for expanding their operation at our 26.43-acre mixed-use business park and industrial estate on the outskirts of Dumfries, with over 140,000 sq ft of Commercial Property to rent.
Commercial units to rent near me: How DV Motors arrived at Heathhall Business Centre
If you’re looking to rent garage space, industrial units for rent, commercial units for rent, or a commercial workshop to rent, Heathhall Business Centre really is the only place in Dumfries & Galloway, as we know, and as Valdas and David also quickly discovered.
Said David, “Valdas was working on his own for four years before we became business partners.
“We were doing homers and helping each other out. Valdas had another unit elsewhere, but shortly after joining forces, we quickly decided that we needed to think about growing our business premises, and for that, we needed the right business and wider environment.
“We didn’t think we’d find one as quickly as we did: Heathhall Business Centre was such a great fit for us.
“The location, because of its proximity to major road links and Dumfries too, of course, great reputation as an expanding business hub, and to be part of a business community were all pull factors.”
Before this David worked for Dumfries and Galloway Council as an HGV and car mechanic, while the two are now focused on fixing small vans and cars at DV Motors.
Workshop garage for rent: How is business faring so far?
How is the business going so far for VD Motors now that they’re heading into their third month of trading at Heathhall?
“Business is going great guns. We’ve been so busy. Valdas really deserves that holiday. What surprised us most is that we’re getting customers not only from Dumfries but from Annan, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Lochmaben, and even Castle Douglas.
“One of the reasons we took the unit was more scope for expansion and it looks like we might need more space already!
“I think that we will likely be looking to expand soon, and this year get our MOT station up and running. We had people in measuring up this week, so fingers crossed that we’ll be able to offer MOTs to the folk of Dumfries and beyond soon.
“We are also looking to incorporate as much new technology as we can to make our operation as slick as possible, and this unit’s exactly right for accommodating it – like a Tracking service, for example, to make sure that the car steering wheel is aligned correctly and straight, and so the car too. It cuts down on wear and tear.
“We already offer wheel balancing when changing a tyre to stop vibrations.”
Rent business unit: The business community at Heathhall Business Centre
Being part of a business community was another wish ticked off their list.
They got a warm welcome from the rest of the business owners that you’ll find with ease using the map facility in our tenant directory.
“We were introduced to other mechanics on the estate, like Robin Hyslop of Dumfries MOT Centre, and he and everybody else was so welcoming. I don’t think there’s anything we haven’t tried for lunch at Marchbank Bakers!”
New business: it’s now or never
Starting a new business and getting new premises, trade & industrial unit, workshop, or office space is no picnic regardless of your experience yet David has never looked back.
“It’s hard work starting a new business. We open at 8:30 am and we’re not leaving until about 8 pm. You’ve got to put in the hours when you’re building a business and we’re both happy to do so and it’s always a pleasure to come to work.
“I definitely wish I had done it years ago as everybody told me to. Waking up each morning being your own boss is great.”
But it’s not all work work work.
“We do get some time away from the job and I’m mostly found on the golf course when I’m not working, while Valdas is often taking his daughter to gymnastics events at the weekend.”
DV Motors Ltd
156 a 156 b Hurricane Road,
Heathhall Business Centre
Dumfries
DG1 3PH
