MONTICELLO, Minn. — Hoglund Bus Co. Inc. (HBC) has added a new service facility to its main dealership here. The HBC staff celebrated the facility’s completion on Oct. 7 with an open house.

Holly Hoglund Klein, vice president and general manager of HBC, told SBF in an interview that it took about five months to build the 6,600 sq. ft., six-bay facility, which connects the dealership’s parts warehouse and an existing service facility.

Prior to the construction of the new facility, the company rented an additional building about a quarter of a mile from the dealership where technicians worked, so Hoglund Klein said the facility has provided substantial consolidation. 

“A big factor that prompted us to have the addition built was that we wanted to have all the technicians working together. They learn from one another. It also provides better backup and there are logistical and supervisory benefits to consolidating. It’s more efficient for customers, too, because they’re bringing their vehicles to one place,” Hoglund Klein explained.

The facility is staffed with 12 fully trained service technicians and a complete line of warranty and retail repair services is offered. Hoglund Klein said that the technicians can perform everything from air conditioning and engine overhauls to body and chassis work for buses and trucks, including alignment and Department of Transportation inspections.

In related news, HBC opened a three-bay service location in Roseville, Minn., on Sept. 1 to further assist its school bus customers. Two technicians work at this location and HBC’s long-term plan is to staff technicians who will work a night shift. 

“Customer service is the focus of all that we do,” Hoglund Klein said. “We feel that with these new facilities we’ll be better able to serve our customers and ensure they’re happy with the products we have sold to them.”

HBC is an authorized distributor for IC Bus, International Truck and Engine Corp., Collins Bus Corp. and Mid Bus Corp., Diamond Coach, Glaval Bus, Turtle Top, Arboc and Champion Bus Inc.