It seems that whenever you turn on the television or radio lately, another automaker is in the news. However, despite the problems in the automotive industry, Pennsylvania’s #1 Cochran Automotive has managed to survive, and thrive, throughout the past several years. Operating 18 franchises at 14 showrooms throughout the metropolitan Pittsburgh area, #1 Cochran is the region’s largest car dealership, as ranked by new car sales.
In February 2009, the company opened its new environmentally friendly collision center. Located in Robinson, Pa., the #1 Cochran Collision Center features an eco-friendly paint booth that uses only water-soluble coatings, a large mezzanine structure for storing parts, spacious offices and a fenced-in vehicle storage area. According to Jeff Ferris, vice president of KACIN General Contractors, Murrysville, Pa., the collision center features the first water-based paint booth installed in the area.
The 15,000-square-foot (1,394-m2) facility was built with a 100- by 150- by 24-foot (30- by 46- by 7-m) metal building from Columbus, Neb.- based Behlen Building Systems.
In addition to the metal building, the project featured Behlen’s ADP-2 wall panels and more than 15,000 square feet of its ZL-24 standingseam roof panels. Ferris said that metal was chosen for the project for both its quality and cost.
Ferris went on to say that the project was challenging because the building was built on a tight and difficult site in a campus setting of Cochran dealerships.
Services at the #1 Cochran Collision Center include expert repairs of all makes and models, foreign and domestic; on-site rental car assistance; state-of-the-art repair bays and paint booths; computerized damage diagnosis; and more.
#1 Cochran Collision Center, Robinson, Pa.
Award: Behlen Building Systems’ 2009 Building of the Year Award, Automotive Category
Architect: Boyd B. Anastas, Duquesne, Pa.
General contractor: KACIN General Contractors,Murrysville, Pa.
Steel erector: Multi Metals Co. Inc., Greensburg, Pa.
Metal building, roof and wall panels: Behlen Building Systems, Columbus, Neb., www.behlenbuildingsystems.com
