TEXARKANA, Texas -- The clink of metal-on-metal activity along with the occasional rev of an engine creates the ongoing soumdtrack at MSF Offroad & Performance, the shop owned by Matthew Francis. Running his business for 15 years, a couple years back he decided his business needed expanding. Setting his sights on the old Safeway on Texas Boulevard, near downtown, he began an epic effort to transfer his operations.
"It took me some time, mostly a one-man job," he said. "But here we are, almost ready to open for business."
Though they have not opened officially, the shop, which takes up most of the operating space, has work going. This is mostly to select his crew of technicians that will keep the machines moving.
"This kind of work can't be done by garden variety motor technicians," said Francis. "We do a lot of stuff here, from basic mechanical work, to rebuilds, to custom jobs, to engines, air conditioning, a little bit of everything. So we need guys with a range of skills and experience."
He said these types of technicians are hard to come by. "So when we reach a certain level of business, we will need to bring on some new guys, too, take their base level of skills and teach them more of what is done here in addition. We will need a good sales rep out front, too, managing the showroom, customer activity and so forth."
Now that he and his crew are getting settled in the new location, Francis is fully happy with the move.
"When we fully open, besides the shop, we will carry a range of parts and appliances for folks who want to do their own work," he said. "Things like truck accessories, custom lighting, recovery gear, this is going to be a place you can get unusual things. This will not be an ordinary shop."
The grand opening is planned the second or third week in November.
(MSF Offroad & Performance is located at 702 Texas Blvd., Texarkana, Texas.)