[IMAGE]NABI.jpg[/IMAGE]North American Bus Industries Inc. unveiled its new West Coast Service Center during a special open house event in June. The newly opened 35,000-square-foot facility can service up to 15 buses, including 60-foot articulated and 45-foot Compo Buses.

"We were looking for a building with more capacity to expand our operations," said Rich Himes, NABI's regional director of transit bus sales. "We are now better equipped to handle additional business."

The additional space has made maneuvering articulated vehicles much easier, therefore improving efficiency he added. Compared to the previous facility in Ontario, Calif., the move increased the warehouse space by almost 30 percent.

In addition to handling retrofits and warranty work, the service facility is a final inspection and acceptance location for virtually all NABI vehicles coming into Southern California.

Staffing includes certified welders, fabricators, electrical troubleshooters, mechanics and trained CompoBus repair technicians. The Mira Loma site is outfitted with a state-of-the-art training room, three sets of Ari-Hetra post lifts and low energy lighting, as well as a dedicated material inventory store room of about 1,000 square feet.