ADL wins international development award
Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has been recognised for its international development at the Centre for Engineering Education & Development (CeeD) Industry Awards. In addition to winning the Internationalisation category, ADL’s apprenticeship programme was shortlisted for the Skills Development award.
CeeD is a recognised national body supporting a range of industry sectors in Scotland, bound together by the common aspiration to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness through peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.
Awards host and former STV presenter Shereen Nanjiani presented ADL President and Managing Director, Paul Davies, with the Award for Internationalisation, recognising the manufacturer’s unwavering focus on developing its international double deck platform and zero-emission technologies to meet customer and market requirements around the globe.
“This award therefore recognises that the beating heart of British bus engineering and manufacturing continues to lead the way in international markets with sustained success” – ADL President and Managing Director, Paul Davies
Paul Davies said: “Despite the numerous challenges that ADL and the wider bus industry has contended with in recent times, we have kept our heads down and remained focused on not only sustaining but growing our business internationally. We have launched an innovative new product in Singapore, re-established a manufacturing partnership alongside a new zero-emissions product in New Zealand, established ourselves as supplier to Ireland’s National Transport Authority and delivered a bespoke double deck product into the German market.
“This award therefore recognises that the beating heart of British bus engineering and manufacturing continues to lead the way in international markets with sustained success. It also speaks to the fantastic work done by all of our team members at home and abroad under incredibly challenging circumstances, without whom we would not have been able to achieve any of this. We are proud to continue to develop international opportunities for Scotland and UK plc, and to continue to shape the future of global transport.”
ADL was also shortlisted for the Skills Development award for its integration of apprentices into a cross-functional continuous development cell at its Falkirk factory. Since March 2021, 12 apprentices have been rotated through this programme on three-month placements and feedback from and on those involved has been very positive, with valuable soft skills and analytical expertise developed that will benefit the apprentices in their careers.
Paul Davies commented: “We firmly believe that there is significant benefit in exposing our apprentices to cross-functional, business critical initiatives. It brings fresh thinking and develops confidence, resourcefulness and resilience across the apprentice cohort. We remain committed to continuing to support team members’ development across all areas of our business.”