HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses has expanded the area of responsibility for Warner Bus Industries from the 251,366 square mile province of Saskatchewan to also include the 250,946 square mile province of Manitoba.

Warner, which is based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, was Thomas Built's Western Regional Dealer of the Year in 2002 and 2008, and is a medium- and heavy-duty Freightliner Trucks dealer, as well.

Warner customers' fleet sizes vary from 20 to 80 buses, most of which are Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2s.

Graham Warner, owner of Warner Bus Industries, has developed a unique approach to the challenge of servicing school buses across the more than half-million-mile territory, which includes relatively few cities, a lot of graveled rural roads and winter temperatures that average minus 20 to minus 40 degrees Celsius.

"Instead of offering a brick and mortar service center," Graham said, "we'll be serving our customers in Manitoba with WOW (Warranty on Wheels) trucks. The fully equipped service trucks are staffed by experienced senior parts and service technicians. Specially equipped, four-wheel-drive pickup trucks make on-site visits to individual school districts, bringing all of the tools and parts needed for each repair job, including computers, printers and scanners. Repair work is done on-site at individual school district maintenance facilities."

Graham reported that the innovative approach has been very well received by customers, particularly since the company charges only a nominal mileage fee for what may be up to 10 hours of travel time.

"When a customer calls us to schedule non-warranty repairs, the clock doesn't start ticking until the technician picks up a wrench," Graham said.

"Manitoba-based school bus industry professionals will be well served by the dedicated team at Warner Bus Industries. The company is known for its outstanding service ethic," said Ken Hedgecock, vice president of sales, marketing and service for Thomas Built.

The 31-year-old Warner Bus Industries, whose motto is "Fun Friendly People," has been a Thomas Built Buses dealer since 1999. It is open seven days a week.