Wrightbus getting back on track
Ballymena-based manufacturer begins recruitment and delivers first buses since acquisition.
Wrightbus has made its first delivery of vehicles since its acquisition last month. It has also now begun a recruitment process.
With new owners the Bamford Bus Company in place, Wrightbus has delivered the first 36 units of a 55-bus order to First Group for use in Leeds, in a deal totalling circa £13 million.
The Bamford Bus Company management team are now focusing on stabilising the business, using their expertise and experience to take forward the opportunity to grow the business and continue to promote the manufacturer across the world. Following the completion of these new sales, Wrightbus’s new owners expect a full production line to be back up and running in the new year.
Buta Atwal, Chief Executive of Wrightbus, said: “The delivery of the first of these new buses, the first sale since the acquisition of Wrightbus by the Bamford Bus Company, is a clear signal of our intent to drive forward the Wrightbus business and grow the company.
“With the Government’s recent announcement of a new national bus strategy in 2020, in which decarbonisation will play a key role, we enter an exciting period during which Wrightbus has the opportunity to lead the way given our track record in manufacturing state of the art zero-emission hydrogen buses as well as electric and hybrid models. We are looking to the future with much optimism.”
Local recruitment agencies Grafton and Industrial Temps have been appointed to assist in the recruitment process now taking place at Wrightbus. It is currently looking for people to fill a range of production roles, including coachbuilders, welders, paint prep and spray painters. The business says getting the right IT and HR talent will be essential. Wrightbus will also be launching an engineering recruitment campaign. This will be phased over the next few months.
Buta Atwal said: “In the near future it is not likely that the company will employ as many people as it did before it entered administration earlier this year. Over the longer term, it is of course our ambition to rebuild the company and ensure that Wrightbus is as big and successful as possible.”