West Fleet Service celebrates new service center with grand opening

Photo by Jolanda Jansma

Bill Burke, Rex Burnes, Big Tom Cockrum, Bryan Young and Earle “Huck” Jennings are ready to help customers at the West Fleet Service, a new division of West Chevrolet.

Photo by Jolanda Jansma

Steve West greets Patricia Williams and Michael Richey at the ribbon cutting for the new West Fleet Service.

West Fleet Service, a new division of Alcoa-based West Chevrolet, welcomed the public with a grand opening celebration on Tuesday, March 29.

West Fleet Service is the only business in Blount County offering large-scale commercial-vehicle fleet parts and service for maintenance and repair.

With nearly 19,000 square feet, the center includes four service bay areas staffed by highly experienced mechanics. Annual contributions by West Fleet Service to the local and state tax base are anticipated to be more than $100,000.

The facility operates with some of the latest truck repair equipment available, including electric, above-ground, portable lifts which can lift up to 52 thousand pounds.

Blount Partnership President and CEO Bryan Daniels was on hand to perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We’re delighted that West Fleet has opened in Alcoa,” said Daniels. “They are certainly going to be an asset not just to Blount County, but to the region as well. For many years, West Chevrolet and the West family have continued to be huge supporters of the community and economic development. We know that West Fleet Service will continue this tradition.”

The facility services most any vehicle under an 18-wheeler in size, such as dump trucks, delivery trucks, flatbeds, RVs, buses, forklifts and emergency service vehicles.

Doug Reynolds, manager of West Fleet Service, anticipates 80 percent of trucks serviced at the facility will be non-GM branded.

“We’re going to be pretty aggressive in pursuing fleet managers to bring their vehicles here for parts and service,” Reynolds said. “In fact, we’re honoring almost any other existing leased fleet service agreement that a company has elsewhere, along with the local convenience and personal attention that businesses need.”

West Fleet Service currently honors most service agreements for any leased fleet vehicles, such as Enterprise, GE Capital and ARI.

West Fleet Service operates Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.westfleetservice.com, or call 865-982-9375.