20 January 2004

Wrightbus wins £6m Hong Kong contract

Ian Pearson, the Minister with responsibility for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has announced that Ballymena-based company Wrightbus has won a £6 million export contract for 50 new generation buses from one of the world’s biggest transport companies.

Mr Pearson announced the contract, which is for the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (KMB) in Hong Kong, during a visit to Wrightbus. This is the second 50-bus order to be won by Wrightbus from this particular customer. During his visit, Mr. Pearson was also shown the production line for the Hong Kong buses, by William Wright, Wrightbus group chairman.

Commenting on the new contract, Mr Pearson said: “This repeat order from KMB, the world’s biggest bus company, is a marvelous endorsement of Wrightbus as a designer and manufacturer of a range of superb vehicles, which incorporate advanced technology for both drivers and passengers.”

“Wrightbus has set itself apart from rivals and achieved outstanding success in this most competitive market by investing extensively in innovation and eye-catching design. The lesson is that innovation is the key to global success and under the auspices of our Regional Innovation Strategy ‘think/create/innovate’, Government and Invest NI will support innovators, business risk takers who pioneer new products, processes and services, to continue the transformation of Northern Ireland into an internationally competitive knowledge economy.”

Mr Wright said that the new contract consolidated Wrightbus’ position with KMB and provided the best reference to help the company expand their export business to other markets. He said: “We are currently working with KMB on the further development of the bus, which is already recognised as a market leader in terms of build quality, durability, on-board features such as a sophisticated passenger information system and environmentally-friendly diesel engines. This indicates our commitment to continuous development and improvement.”

Delivery of the new contract is due to start in March and is scheduled for completion in December.

Wrightbus currently have around 800 double-deck buses in service or on order from KMB and customers in the UK. The company also has a long-standing contract to supply single-deck buses to Arriva Netherlands and has also seen an increase in business from the US, where it supplies buses in kit form to a Kansas-based operator.

(KMcA)