By Wally Kennedy
Globe Staff Writer
KCR International Trucks Inc. has expanded its operation in Joplin with the purchase of the shop operation that once was the home of Contract Freighters Inc. at 2800 S. Davis Blvd.
The expansion should add 10 jobs in Joplin, said Steve Cook, vice president and general manager of the company's operations in Springfield and Joplin.
KCR International Trucks, part of the Diamond Companies, is one of the largest dealers of International trucks in the United States. KCR's main operation is in Kansas City.
The company got its start in Joplin about 18 months ago when it reached an agreement with Russ Moser Fleet Service at Seventh Street and Adele Avenue, which specialized in the repair and maintenance of the International truck line.
"It was a good arrangement," Cook said. "We could sell our trucks through his location, and he could do the warranty work. But, we outgrew his facility. We bought him out, grew the business and made this investment.
"When we took over Russ Moser Fleet Service, we went from 20 to 30 people there. We plan to take this thing from 30 people to about 40 people."
To expand, KCR acquired and refurbished the old CFI shop. The building had been vacant for at least 10 years. The shop has 22 service bays.
