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- Category: Industry News
“Since 2015 when I started Limo University I have had one mission and that is to help small and midsize operators grow profitable businesses. The alliance with the NLA/CD is a natural progression to have a greater impact industrywide,” says Faeth. Content will be delivered through podcasts with a closed Facebook group so that operators can keep the conversation going. Although Faeth and the NLA will initially spearhead topics, Faeth says that he expects many more will be curated through the group conversations. The sessions will become part of an extensive library available to NLA members as long as they are a part of the Association.
Faeth, a former industry operator based in Nashville, has assisted hundreds of dedicated company leaders navigate the changing times and increase profitability since 2015 through his popular Limo University and its various programs. “This partnership and No Operator Left Behind initiative will help our members grow, market, and protect their businesses. This is perhaps the best member benefit the NLA has developed since I became a member in 1996,” says Buffo. To further strengthen the voice of the small operator, he adds that the NLA Board will be tasked with creating a small operator seat on the Board during the next bylaws revision.
Additionally, Faeth will host sessions dedicated to the smaller operators at the upcoming CD/NLA shows, starting this October 13-16 in Boston.
Find more details about No Operator Left Behind in upcoming NLA newsletters as well as in the July issue of Chauffeur Driven.
For more information about the NLA, visit limo.org. For more information about Limo University, visit limogrowth.com.
[CD0619]
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- Category: Industry News
Faribault, Minn. — ABC Companies, exclusive distributor of Van Hool vehicles in North America and a provider of motorcoach sales, service and technical support announced that it will consolidate its service operations and close the Camden, N.J., facility in March, 2020. The closure is part of the company’s future growth plans to realign and expand its presence in closer proximity to the New York Metro area market.
“The difficult decision to consolidate operations in Camden has been the result of a thorough assessment of our business operations. We are committed to supporting our staff through this transition,” said ABC President & COO Roman Cornell. “We are grateful for the dedication and hard work our employees have contributed over many years.”
The Camden site offers a full range of fleet maintenance and repair services including body shop, mechanical, and technical services. Over the next year, ABC will begin to consolidate operations in Camden as they complete a multi-million renovation at its Jersey City location. Encompassing five acres, the expanded site will double the size of existing operations to include equipment sales, service, and body shop services, and a new 20,000 square foot parts warehouse and sales counter. A full inventory of new and preowned motorcoach models will be available on site for inspection, test drives, and sale, including new ABC Express Van Hool models for fast customer delivery.
“We have been a proud member of the Camden community for the past four decades,” said Senior Vice President/Eastern Region Mike Laffan. “While we reposition our business to meet and exceed the expanding needs of our customer base, we’ll continue to focus on providing high-quality service both during and after the transition.”
Visit abc-companies.com for more information.
[CD0619]
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- Category: Industry News
Capitol Heights, Md. — Capitol Coachworks and RLS Fleet Services have completed an agreement to divest Capitol Coachworks’ service division, which operates a 13,000-square-foot facility dedicated to commercial vehicle maintenance and repair, warranty work, body work, inspections, parts for purchase, and fleet maintenance consulting.
Capitol Coachworks Founder and President David Webb will continue to operate the vehicle sales and leasing business units independently. RLS Fleet Services, co-owned by transportation industry veterans Kristina Bouweiri and Tony Simon, has assumed ownership and management of the service unit, including its assets.
“Having had a close professional relationship with Reston Limousine for over 25 years, I knew that a partnership with Kristina and Tony would allow Capitol Coachworks to realize its highest potential,” Webb said.
“We look forward to continuing the same level of exceptional customer service that Capitol Coachworks has been known for since David started the business in 2003,” said Bouweiri, CEO of Reston Limousine.
“We’re excited to offer DC-area transportation operators the opportunity to now utilize a woman-owned business in Prince George’s County for their commercial vehicle maintenance and service needs,” she added.
RLS Fleet Services has implemented changes including hiring a second shift of mechanics to expand operational hours into evening and weekends, filling a niche that better serves owner operators and smaller fleets in the DC metro market.
Bouweiri and Simon also plan to expand maintenance to full fleet management services including bus wash and detailing, and pickup and drop-off services. “With all the changes we have implemented, we fully expect the service division will double its revenue in 12 months,” Bouweiri said.
Capitol Coachworks will be adding Reston Limousine to its list of fleet maintenance clients and will be servicing the operator’s DC and Maryland fleets at its facility in Capitol Heights.
“This acquisition frees up our Sterling facility to take on more maintenance work from other companies and become a profit center for the company,” said Reston Limousine COO Simon. “We also expect to immediately realize cost savings as our Maryland and DC fleets will no longer have to travel to Virginia for maintenance and inspection services – reducing our expenses on fuel, labor, vehicle wear and tear, and tolls.”
Tom Herrick continues as service manager, leading the operations for the company. He has been in that position since 2016, and brings 15 years of experience in the industry to the job.
Johnny Sower, another longtime transportation professional, was hired as the sales and quality assurance manager in April. Sower got his start in the industry 18 years ago and served in management positions starting in 2005.
“Tom and Johnny have experience working in both the front and back offices of leading fleet companies, giving them invaluable perspective for Capitol Coachworks’ clients,” Simon said.
Visit capitolcoachworks.com or restonlimo.com for more information.
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