Innovative Inflatable Maintenance Workshop at Cranfield University

About Uno

Uno is a bus company operated by the University of Hertfordshire, providing transport for students, staff, and the public. Founded in 1992, Uno has expanded its network across Hertfordshire, North London, and beyond, improving connectivity and ensuring reliable transport services.

At Cranfield University, Uno runs key routes linking Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Flitwick, helping passengers travel efficiently. Committed to continuous improvement, Uno is always looking for ways to enhance service reliability, reduce downtime, and operate more sustainably – making the Temp°store 100 inflatable workshop the perfect solution to support their mission.

"With the Temp°store inflatable workshop, everything is much quicker. Now, we can handle servicing like oil changes, brake work, fault diagnostics, and even major repairs. Having it on-site is a major bonus, not just for me, but for the company as well"
David Reeve
Engineer at Uno

Challenge: Lack of On-Site Maintenance Workshop

Uno at Cranfield University faced a significant challenge – there was no dedicated space for bus maintenance on-site. This meant that any repair or servicing work required buses to be transported to another depot in Hatfield, resulting in:

Extended downtime, as buses spent at least three hours travelling to and from the depot

Reduced fleet availability, affecting service reliability for passengers

Higher operational costs, from fuel and labour driving to Hatfield depot

Increased carbon footprint, due to unnecessary long-distance travel for maintenance

To uphold their commitment to improving passenger services, a faster, more efficient maintenance solution was needed.

Temp°store 100 Inflatable Workshop

To solve this challenge, Dawsongroup tcs provided two Temp°store 100 modular inflatable temporary buildings, creating a fully functional on-site maintenance workshop. These versatile and innovative structures were tailored with a custom 5-metre-high automatic roller shutter door, ensuring easy access for double-decker buses.

Unlike traditional temporary buildings, Temp°store 100 is manufactured in-house by Dawsongroup tectoniks. It is fast, durable, and hassle-free to install—requiring no groundwork or lengthy construction, making it a cost-effective and time-efficient solution. Its modular design also allows for scalability, ensuring Uno has the space needed to meet its ongoing bus maintenance demands.

Built for durability, the Temp°store 100 is fire-retardant and boasts a material tensile strength of 5.5 tons per metre, offering exceptional resilience to wind and adverse weather conditions. Unlike conventional inflatable structures, it operates at a higher internal pressure, providing stability comparable to permanent buildings. Additionally, its insulated inflatable walls help regulate temperature and noise, ensuring a comfortable working environment for maintenance staff all year round.

Increased Efficiency, Cost Savings & Sustainability

Since implementing the Temp°store solution, Uno has experienced significant operational improvements:

Time Savings: Previously, transporting a bus to the Hatfield depot took at least 1.5 hours each way. Now, repairs can be completed immediately on-site, reducing downtime, while keeping the fleet moving.

Improved Fleet Availability: With faster maintenance turnaround, more buses are available for service, ensuring a reliable schedule for passengers.

Cost-Effectiveness and Cash Flow Benefits: Eliminating unnecessary depot transfers has lowered fuel and labour costs. Additionally, the flexible hire model allows Uno to access premium maintenance facilities without large upfront investments, improving cash flow management with no long-term financial commitment.

Sustainability Gains: With fewer trips between depots, Uno has significantly reduced its carbon footprint, supporting its commitment to eco-friendly operations.

The Temp°store solution provides not just a workspace, but a smarter, more adaptable way to manage fleet maintenance—giving Uno the freedom to scale operations as needed, without the constraints of traditional infrastructure investments.

Why Dawsongroup tcs?

During the process, Uno discovered the unique advantage of working with Dawsongroup:

  • End-to-End Fleet Solutions: Not only did Dawsongroup supply their buses, but we also provided an innovative, temporary maintenance facility under the same umbrella.
  • Rapid Deployment: The quick setup of the Temp°store workshop meant minimal disruption to operations.
  • Robust and Reliable: The structure is solid once set up, providing a dependable workspace for essential bus maintenance.

Driving the Future of Transport Together

By aligning with Uno’s mission to continually improve passenger services, Dawsongroup tcs has delivered a scalable, efficient, and sustainable solution that helps them keep their fleet running smoothly—today and in the future.

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