Tech Tips and Tid Bits
A VERY GRAND OPENING!
Huge Repair Facility Opens in Southern California
Word was spreading about a new and super-sized truck repair facility in Southern California that was ready to open the doors of their new and improved location, and we at 10-4 Magazine were on the list of those who were invited to attend the Open House and party to commemorate the day (October 24, 2009). Held on a warm Saturday afternoon, we were happy to get out of the office and check out this fantastic new location, which is right in our own backyard. Upon our arrival, we were impressed with the beautiful 12-acre site, which is the new home of J & R Fleet Services LLC – a premier truck repair facility focused on customer satisfaction and comfort like no other we have ever seen.
This new state-of-the-art truck repair facility, located in Bloomington, California, is a very big step up from the 30-bay garage in Fontana, California, that J & R was in before. The move was necessary to accommodate the increase in business that J & R Fleet has experienced in the last few years. After 10 years in Fontana, the small repair shop that had started with three brothers, three mechanics, and a 5,000 square-foot leased building, has now moved into a brand new 120,000 square-foot 100 bay service facility with about 100 employees! The folks at J & R Fleet Services claim that their new location is now the largest and most sophisticated truck repair facility in the country.
The construction of the new building was about a year in the making, with the final touches being made right up to the date of the Grand Opening celebration. About 500 guests arrived from all over the southland, as well as from out-of-state, when the doors opened at 4:00 p.m. The entrance area was staffed with friendly personnel to greet the visitors, who were immediately taken on a guided tour of the incredible complex – and it didn’t take long to realize that this place was pretty unique (the lobby area feels more like a five-star resort than a truck repair shop). As we wandered through the large facility, it was apparent that J & R’s customers would enjoy a comfort level second to none.
Unlike most repair shops that simply have a “waiting room” with a television and some chairs, J & R Fleet’s huge new facility offers many other options for their customers to choose from. While waiting for their truck to be repaired or serviced, customers can venture into the “quiet room” to relax or go into the state-of-the-art theater (that seats 50 people) to take in the latest blockbuster. If movies aren’t your thing, there is also an exercise room filled with the best equipment and a game room where you can shoot pool or play video games. If you need to get some work done, the facility offers internet access, as well as a fax machine, computers and printers, all available for customers to use at no charge. If you want (or need) to get cleaned up, there are also free showers and laundry facilities on site. But that’s not all.
For those who get hungry while waiting for their truck, there is an exquisite dining facility on the premises. La Chiquita Tacos offers a full menu of Mexican favorites, which can be enjoyed while sitting on the cool and covered patio. At the Open House and Grand Opening celebration, the restaurant provided an impressive setup for the guests to enjoy. Tacos, tacos and more delicious tacos, along with cold beverages, were served throughout the evening – there was also a bounce house for the kids. While all of this was going on, the live music kicked in with some old-time favorites from the Mariachi band and, later, from a group called La Reina del Sur. The band played wild and loud music for the rest of the evening – many folks even ventured out onto the floor to do some dancing.
Between all of the eating and dancing, there were some announcements made and a “Certificate of Recognition” was awarded to J & R Fleet Services, which was presented by San Bernardino County’s Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales, along with her field staff. J & R’s General Manager Javier Rodriguez, speaking of J & R’s success said, “We do one thing and one thing only – we fix trucks – and we do it well.” Javier also stated that 95% of their repairs were done on the same day and no appointment was ever needed. He went on to say, “Our guarantee is that upon three minutes from your arrival we will take your order, and within 30 minutes of authorization, a certified mechanic will start working on your truck.” It is that commitment to service that has helped J & R see a 40% rate of growth per year since 1998.
We would like to thank Vanessa at J & R for inviting us to this celebration and for giving us the tour – she made sure that we were well taken care of throughout the event. And to the three brothers/owners – Javier, Ricardo and Roberto Rodriguez – kudos to you for putting together such a great party. The building is built, the offices are furnished, the service writers and mechanics are in uniform and ready to go – now all you need is some trucks to start filling all those service bays. Good luck and congratulations! It truly was a “grand” opening. For more information about this terrific new facility, give them a call at (909) 820-7000 or visit them at 18244 Valley Blvd. (corner of Valley and Locust) in Bloomington, CA 92316.