GRAPEVINE, TX – Automotive Resources International (ARI) held its grand opening celebration at the recently completed Western Operations Center in Grapevine, Texas.

Attendees, including ARI clients and other fleet professionals from the Greater Dallas Metroplex, auto manufacturers and truck upfitters, and Grapevine Chamber of Commerce representatives and local elected officials, toured the 27,000-square foot facility and listened to presentations by ARI senior management. 

Operations at the facility began in December 2007 with just nine technicians during construction. Year to date, 75 additional technicians have been hired. The center operates in tandem with ARI's call center in Maple Shade, N.J., providing customer support 24/7/365 to a nationwide customer base. Over 1.9 million customer calls have been processed by all ARI technicians year to date. By the second quarter of 2009, ARI plans to run the Grapevine facility 24/7. Total capacity of the Call Center is 170 technicians. The facility also supports ARI's sales operations. 

"From this western hub, we will strengthen and expand our relationships with the 250 customers based in the southwest region and bring ARI operations closer to those clients north and west of grapevine — a halfway point, if you will, to our east coast headquarters," said ARI President Bill McKee in his opening remarks.

ARI's southwestern sales office and ARI's subsidiary, FBE, have been located in the Dallas area since 1976 and 1992, respectively.  "We knew that the Greater Dallas Metroplex held the necessary talent pool to meet our high standards," said Frank Cardile, senior vice president operations.

A 2007 study reinforced Grapevine to be most conducive to its business expansion based on proximity to workforce, travel convenience, cost of living and reasonable housing.

"There is an excellent labor pool in this Grapevine area, and we are thrilled with the number of well qualified people who are anxious to become part of our organization," said Barbara King, call center manager.