GRAPEVINE, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 11/20/08 -- Automotive Resources International (ARI), a leading global fleet solutions provider specializing in complex car and truck fleets, held its grand opening celebration at its just-completed Western Operations Center, located in Grapevine, Texas, today.

Attendees, including ARI clients and other fleet professionals from the Greater Dallas Metroplex, auto manufacturers and truck upfitters, Grapevine Chamber of Commerce representatives and local elected officials, toured the 27,000 square foot facility and heard presentations by ARI senior management.

Operations at the facility got underway in December 2007 with just nine technicians while construction was still ongoing. Year to date, 75 additional technicians have been hired. The center operates in tandem with ARI's call center in Maple Shade, NJ, providing customer support 24/7/365 to a nationwide customer base. Over 1.9 million customer calls have been processed by all ARI technicians year to date. By the second quarter of 2009, ARI plans to run the Grapevine facility 24/7. Total capacity of the Call Center is 170 technicians. In addition, the facility supports ARI's sales operations as well.

In his opening remarks, Bill McKee, ARI President, said, "We believe the opening of Grapevine will allow ARI to remain the industry leader in providing exceptional customer service. From this western hub, we will strengthen and expand our relationships with the 250 customers who are based in the southwest region and bring ARI operations closer to those clients north and west of Grapevine -- a half-way point, if you will, to our east coast headquarters."

ARI's southwestern sales office and ARI's subsidiary, FBE, have been located in the Dallas area since 1976 and 1992 respectively. "Having already hired all of the best technicians in the greater South Jersey and Philadelphia area, we knew we needed to look elsewhere," remarked Frank Cardile, senior vice president, operations. "We knew that the Greater Dallas Metroplex held the necessary talent pool to meet our high standards."

A 2007 study reinforced Grapevine to be most conducive to its business expansion based on proximity to workforce, travel convenience, cost of living and reasonable housing.

"There is an excellent labor pool in this Grapevine area, and we are thrilled with the number of well qualified people who are anxious to become part of our organization," said Barbara King, call center manager. "In fact, we are looking forward to meeting some great candidates at the Career Fair for Military Veterans and Military Spouses at Texas Stadium on December 4."

About ARI

ARI, a subsidiary of Holman Enterprises based in Mt. Laurel, N.J., is an industry leader and the largest privately-held fleet leasing and management company in the world. As a single-source fleet management leader, ARI customizes innovative solutions that streamline fleet operations, help lower the cost of fleet ownership and create long-term value for customers.

Today, with a workforce numbering more than 1,200 and offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Europe, the company manages more than 2,000 outsourced fleets (over 650,000 autos and trucks) in North America and, combined with its strategic partners, more than 2 million fleet vehicles globally.

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