Ballymena-based bus builder marks £48m order

As part of a double celebration by Ballymena-based bus builder, Wright Group recently announced an order for 320 vehicles for FirstGroup plc worth in excess of £48 million, and the Duke of York unveiled a plaque to commemorate the company’s 60th Anniversary.

One of Europe’s leading independently-owned bus manufacturers, the company was founded by the current Chairman’s father in 1946. Today the company employs more than 950 people at its manufacturing and HQ facility at Galgorm, near Ballymena in County Antrim, and has an annual turnover in excess of £100 million.

Nicola Shaw, Managing Director of First’s UK Bus Division was on hand to announce the latest orders for a range of single, double deck and articulated vehicles from the Wrightbus citybus range, including the company's StreetCar, a highly innovative passenger transport concept which is now in full production at the Ballymena factory.

As well as boarding and inspecting the StreetCar for himself, HRH took the opportunity to meet a number of members of the workforce at the facility, which is one of the biggest manufacturing employers in Northern Ireland.

Unveiling a commemorative plaque to celebrate the company’s 60th Anniversary, the Duke paid tribute to the company’s history of investment and innovation, which has seen it transform itself from its roots as a local truck trailer builder in post war Britain, to its position today as one of Europe’s pre-eminent passenger transport vehicle manufacturers.

Commenting on the Royal visit, Chairman of The Wright Group William Wright, said he was "delighted and honoured" by the Royal visit in the company’s 60th year.

Mr Wright said that the substantial order from FirstGroup would continue the long-standing relationship with the group and "continue to secure the future of our skilled and loyal workforce and the wider community here in Ballymena."

As well as pioneering the accessible bus in the UK in the early 1990’s and growing rapidly to become the market leading citybus brand in the British Isles, The Wright Group has also enjoyed considerable success in many export markets, including Hong Kong.

(SP)