Ford Unveils Flagship Store in Harlow

This September saw the grand opening of a brand-new flagship FordStore™ operated by Gates Ford in Harlow, Essex. The dealership’s redevelopment was led by main contractor R G Carter, with Munro Building Services working with them to realise the M&E design. The key objective was to create a modern facility that supports a customer experience, where the car buying process becomes an immersive, luxurious and unforgettable phase in the purchasing process.

The Future is Now

The FordStore™ aims to lead the automotive industry through interactive displays and technology. With large digital screens and tablet devices available, customers can gain a deeper understanding of the cars at the touch of a button, browsing personalisation options and specifications. The FordStores are also separated into “zones” to make navigating the stores simple. These zones allow visitors to peruse various types of cars, whether it might be family or performance brands. Another important aspect was to provide areas for relaxation, where customers can enjoy refreshments and make a clear, uninterrupted decision.

Digital Age M&E Installations

Creating high-tech building environments that reflect the developing and changing technology of Ford’s offering, has resulted in a project which has focused heavily on the lighting infrastructure. It was important that our electrical installations brought all of these key aspects to life. With some key features including large halo lights and high quality, architectural lighting to accentuate and compliment the cars’ aesthetics.

With new technology and more showroom, workshop and office space available at their new home, the staff can perform more efficiently and provide the excellent customer service levels that are expected. For a more in-depth insight into the Mechanical and Electrical installation undertaken, please see the Gates of Harlow Fordstore™ case study.

The completed project is both aesthetically pleasing whilst retaining and cementing the FordStore™ branding. R G Carter’s Construction Director, John Irons, commented “The Munro Site team did a fantastic job, a good solid team who know exactly what they are doing and have worked really well with the R G Carter team on site.”