Shop Tour - 360 Fabrication

Dec - 15 | By: Performance Plus | no comments.

Filed under : 3. May / Jun 2009, Shop Tours

Ground Zero Specialists

What a difference a year makes. You may recall that when we last visited the home of the Fraser Valley’s favourite custom shop last year, they had been in business just over a year and had already doubled in size to over 7,000 square feet of shop space and six employees. So it wasn’t such a surprise to see that owners Rick and Daryl Francoeur were at it again. 360 Fabrication now inhabits over 11,000 square feet in its Abbotsford, B.C. location and has grown to a workforce of nine licensed technicians...a number that Rick says will reach 12 over the next six months.

So what do they credit this incredible growth to in these uncertain times? “Work ethic, the best equipment and an experienced staff,” Rick explains. “Everyone who works here is a licensed tradesperson and has the experience to make sure the job is done right the first time out, which ensures each project is completed both on time and within budget.” This is something that brought big smiles to the faces of both Rick and Daryl as they reflected on their first three years in business. You see, they both take pride in the fact that 360 is capable of producing award-winning vehicles in less than a month. They cite occasions when they have stripped full cars down to the frame and then built them back up fully reconditioned in 25 days...without cutting corners.

And these skills have not gone unnoticed as 360 has become the only I.C.B.C accredited shop for hot rods in the Fraser Valley. “Insurance companies, like any business, want to know they’re getting the best value for their money, and with us being awarded this destination, it puts their minds at ease knowing the repairs will be done to exacting specifications,” says Rick. Add to this the recent purchase of the state-of-the-art Eclipse laser-guided frame measuring system, and it really puts 360 in a league of their own, as there are very few shops in B.C. that sport this level of equipment.

So, it is no surprise that the workload as well as the accolades continue to pile up for this upstart company. As a testament to their commitment to excellence, they were recently presented with the George Barris award for their work on a gorgeous ’51 Merc Sled at the B.C. Classic & Custom Car Show and are currently working on projects that they believe could, in fact, fetch some of the biggest prizes in the custom car industry.

Whatever the stage may be, the Francoeur brothers and their staff remain committed to excellence, whether it’s building top-quality customs and exotics from ground zero, or precision repairs to an existing specialty vehicle.

For more information on the shop and to view past and present projects, please visit their website at www.360fabrication.com

So what do they credit this incredible growth to in these uncertain times? “Work ethic, the best equipment and an experienced staff,” Rick explains. “Everyone who works here is a licensed tradesperson and has the experience to make sure the job is done right the first time out, which ensures each project is completed both on time and within budget.” P2138161 300x225 Shop Tour 360 Fabrication This is something that brought big smiles to the faces of both Rick and Daryl as they reflected on their first three years in business. You see, they both take pride in the fact that 360 is capable of producing award-winning vehicles in less than a month. They cite occasions when they have stripped full cars down to the frame and then built them back up fully reconditioned in 25 days...without cutting corners.