Menu
31/03/2011
Bus Builder On Route To Success
A bus company based in Ballymena has won a contract worth more than £50m.
The company director of Wrightbus Mark Nodder, said they will build about 450 buses over the next 18 months.
He commented: "We've been working on this contract for about the past six months. We recently landed a similar-sized contract with Arriva, so put together these two contracts will be the foundation for our business over the next year."
The order comes from FirstGroup plc, which is spending about £160m upgrading its bus fleet.
FirstGroup is one of the biggest transport operators in the UK, and currently operates 8,000 buses.
Most of the buses in the new order will be replacements for older vehicles.
Mr Nodder added that the vehicles would be a mixture of single-deck and double-deck buses, and that they would be used in London for transportation during the Olympics.
"They're going into service in London, and in fact many of them will be used, so that will give us a very high profile during that period."
Mr Nodder said he believed that business was starting to improve after what he said had been a "lean couple of years".
"I think the outlook is strengthening month by month. But it's going to be another 12 to 18 months before we're back to what I would call normal service.
"However, the contract with Arriva and this latest one from FirstGroup are very good steps along the way."
DUP Representative for North Antrim, Mervyn Storey has congratulated Ballymena firm Wrightbus.
Mr Storey commented: "Once again we see that Wrightbus is leading the way in terms of design and development in transport. The success of the company in securing these substantial orders will be a major boost for the local economy in North Antrim.
"I am delighted that FirstGroup, a FTSE 250 listed company have seen the superior quality and skill contained in the company by awarding these contracts to Wrightbus. Wrightbus is a very valued local employer, which has a good working relationship with the local government at Stormont.
"Over the last number of years the DETI Minister and Invest Northern Ireland have worked closely with the company to help them innovate and develop a new bus. It is good that this investment is paying dividends for the company. I hope we can continue to work together to see further success in the future," he said.
(JG/BMcC)
The company director of Wrightbus Mark Nodder, said they will build about 450 buses over the next 18 months.
He commented: "We've been working on this contract for about the past six months. We recently landed a similar-sized contract with Arriva, so put together these two contracts will be the foundation for our business over the next year."
The order comes from FirstGroup plc, which is spending about £160m upgrading its bus fleet.
FirstGroup is one of the biggest transport operators in the UK, and currently operates 8,000 buses.
Most of the buses in the new order will be replacements for older vehicles.
Mr Nodder added that the vehicles would be a mixture of single-deck and double-deck buses, and that they would be used in London for transportation during the Olympics.
"They're going into service in London, and in fact many of them will be used, so that will give us a very high profile during that period."
Mr Nodder said he believed that business was starting to improve after what he said had been a "lean couple of years".
"I think the outlook is strengthening month by month. But it's going to be another 12 to 18 months before we're back to what I would call normal service.
"However, the contract with Arriva and this latest one from FirstGroup are very good steps along the way."
DUP Representative for North Antrim, Mervyn Storey has congratulated Ballymena firm Wrightbus.
Mr Storey commented: "Once again we see that Wrightbus is leading the way in terms of design and development in transport. The success of the company in securing these substantial orders will be a major boost for the local economy in North Antrim.
"I am delighted that FirstGroup, a FTSE 250 listed company have seen the superior quality and skill contained in the company by awarding these contracts to Wrightbus. Wrightbus is a very valued local employer, which has a good working relationship with the local government at Stormont.
"Over the last number of years the DETI Minister and Invest Northern Ireland have worked closely with the company to help them innovate and develop a new bus. It is good that this investment is paying dividends for the company. I hope we can continue to work together to see further success in the future," he said.
(JG/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 July 2014
Wrightbus International Scoops £30m Contract
Wrightbus International has secured a new £30m contract to supply 415 double deck bus kits to SBS Transit in Singapore. The firm has been chosen to provide vehicles tailored to its demanding operations. The order will be supplied and packaged in complete knocked down (CKD) kits from the company's Ballymena plant.
Wrightbus International Scoops £30m Contract
Wrightbus International has secured a new £30m contract to supply 415 double deck bus kits to SBS Transit in Singapore. The firm has been chosen to provide vehicles tailored to its demanding operations. The order will be supplied and packaged in complete knocked down (CKD) kits from the company's Ballymena plant.
17 January 2014
Wrightbus Awarded Multi Million Pound Contract
North Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has hailed the announcement of a lucrative new multi million pound contract for Ballymena based Wrightbus as good news for the company and for Northern Ireland.
Wrightbus Awarded Multi Million Pound Contract
North Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has hailed the announcement of a lucrative new multi million pound contract for Ballymena based Wrightbus as good news for the company and for Northern Ireland.
07 March 2014
Wrightbus Secures Major Orders
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed Wrightbus International's announcement that, in partnership with Volvo Bus, it has secured major orders from two Hong Kong based bus operators. New World First Bus Services Limited has ordered 20 new double deck buses, while Citybus Limited will purchase 31.
Wrightbus Secures Major Orders
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed Wrightbus International's announcement that, in partnership with Volvo Bus, it has secured major orders from two Hong Kong based bus operators. New World First Bus Services Limited has ordered 20 new double deck buses, while Citybus Limited will purchase 31.
29 May 2013
Belfast Company Wins £400k Contract
A Northern Irish supplier of musical instruments has secured a £400,000 contract in Brazil this week, following Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster's trade mission to the country. Belfast-based IBC Trading Ltd. were in discussions with a company called Giannini, which makes traditional musical instruments.
Belfast Company Wins £400k Contract
A Northern Irish supplier of musical instruments has secured a £400,000 contract in Brazil this week, following Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster's trade mission to the country. Belfast-based IBC Trading Ltd. were in discussions with a company called Giannini, which makes traditional musical instruments.
24 March 2011
Design Company Wins Major Contract With International Hostel Group In Dublin
Glengormley-based design company Off The Wall Creations has secured a major contract in Dublin with Generator Hostels with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Off The Wall Creations specialises in the design and installation of bespoke wallpaper and wall graphics for domestic and commercial premises.
Design Company Wins Major Contract With International Hostel Group In Dublin
Glengormley-based design company Off The Wall Creations has secured a major contract in Dublin with Generator Hostels with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Off The Wall Creations specialises in the design and installation of bespoke wallpaper and wall graphics for domestic and commercial premises.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
