Latest news with #Jean-MarcGales
Belfast Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Wrightbus unveils new zero-emission prototype
The Ballymena-based company said it already had orders for the Far East and Europe lined up for its 6x2 Streetdeck. The company said it was the latest launch from the company in a 'record-breaking' year, in which it also announced a new electric midi-bus range as well as a next-generation hydrogen coach, diesel coach and a hydrogen double decker. Wrightbus now employs more than 2,300 people and is making 1,200 buses a year, which are mainly zero-emissions. CEO Jean-Marc Gales said the 6x2 was a 'triumph of engineering'. 'Our team has worked round the clock for the last two years to create this new zero-emission product,' he said. 'To design a chassis which copes not only with fixed axle and steering axle configurations but also enables increased battery capability without compromising on passenger numbers is a real triumph for our engineers.' Tests will be carried out over the summer, with a demonstrator model set for a customer in Hong Kong for 12 months. Mr Gales said there were also sales opportunities in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. 'We are building momentum not just in our home territories but overseas as well, as news or our brand reaches all corners of the globe,' he said. He said there were more than 100 of its hydrogen buses headed for Germany, as well as fleets of hydrogen and battery-electrics around the UK. UK unemployment jumps to highest since 2021 as wage growth slows The company recently announced a £150m finance package from HSBC UK as it prepares to ramp up production. Mr Gales added: 'We've invested into our growth significantly over the last 12 months, with more staff in Ballymena and Malaysia, new facilities for our repowering business - NewPower - in Bicester, and a European service centre in Brühl to ensure we have operational capacity to exceed customer demand. "Wrightbus also supports 7,500 jobs in the wider supply chain so our growth is great for the wider economy too.' Wrightbus was rescued from administration by entrepreneur Jo Bamford in 2019.
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Wrightbus secures new order for six new double decker buses for English city's transport service
The Ballymena bus-maker will provide half a dozen ultra-low emission diesel buses for Nottingham City Transport. The vehicles will be used for a long-distance route between Nottingham and Southwell. Production is due to start soon on the buses in the Ballymena factory, and they are set to begin service in Nottingham by the 'late autumn' of this year. The buses will have free WiFi and USB chargers, along with a table on the upper-deck and accessibility features including two wheelchair spaces, hearing loops and 'next stop displays that all customers can see.' Wrightbus currently employs over 2,300 people, and this year aims to produce 1,200 buses from its Ballymena factory. The company says that by 2027, it 'expects to support 7,200 UK supply chain jobs'. Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, said: "The combination of the latest generation of engines from Cummins and the latest technology from Voith, coupled with our industry-leading Micro Hybrid technology, means these StreetDeck Ultroliners offer optimal efficiency in the diesel market. 'We're delighted that Wrightbus ultra-low emission vehicles that have been designed and built here in the UK will soon be on the streets of Nottingham, offering passengers a comfortable journey while also helping to lower emissions. "While we are proudly known for being the largest provider of zero emission buses in Europe, the fact remains that not all operators can access the funding to make the immediate switch to zero-emission. 'As a leading bus manufacturer, our role is to make sure our diesel buses are as clean and efficient as possible and to ensure we can give them a second life as a zero-emission bus in the future through our NewPower business. 'Our blended approach to responsible technology, which includes battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and the cleanest technologies, ensures our customers can continue to decarbonise while maintaining financially viable operations.' David Astill, managing director at Nottingham City Transport, said: 'We are delighted to be working with Wrightbus to deliver a significant upgrade to our Pathfinder service, replacing buses that are over a decade old with brand new, quieter, low emission buses that will boast features that are designed for the long distance nature of the route. 'As one of our longest bus routes, battery electric buses aren't a viable or realistic option for Pathfinder 26 currently or in the immediate future, but these buses can be repowered by Wrightbus and their NewPower business in the future to be fully electric, which will be something we'll consider when battery technology advances further.' News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May The order is the latest secured in England by the famous bus company. Wrightbus has provided a large number of buses for use in London, and has recently announced an order of six EV vehicles for Kent. Outside the UK, the company has been doing a large amount of business in Germany, with an order for 28 hydrogen-powered buses with the Saarland-based firm Saarbahn.
Belfast Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Wrightbus secures £150m funding with HSBC deal as it ramps up production for worldwide market
Co Antrim 'clean and green' bus manufacturer Wrightbus has secured a £150m finance package as it prepares to ramp up production for its global market. The deal with HSBC UK more than doubles the Ballymena firm's existing funding. The money is being directed to 'develop new technologies and broaden the product offering', while also supporting Rightech and NewPower, two existing divisions of Wrightbus. NewPower is a branch of the business which converts diesel buses into electric vehicles, while Rightech sells four different battery-electric vehicles. The funding is also allowing the company to 'accelerate production at its factories in Northern Ireland and Malaysia'. Wrightbus, rescued from administration in 2019 by entrepreneur Jo Bamford, operates in Northern Ireland, England and in the Far East, including China and south-east Asia. The company now employs 2,300, making 1,200 buses a year. The firm has focused on zero-emission vehicles, including hydrogen and electric-powered buses. Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said: 'This is an important day for everyone connected with Wrightbus – not just the 2,300 employees but the 7,500 jobs we support in the wider supply chain.' 'Our success is crucial to so many jobs and industries, so we must work relentlessly to keep up this progress. 'This deal is a crucial step as we accelerate our growth and invest in decarbonising public transport with electric and hydrogen-powered buses. 'Not only does it mean we can provide cleaner and greener vehicles to UK bus operators, it also provides us with foundations for broadening our international reach, with a particular focus on ramping up production in Malaysia as we expand into the Asia Pacific market.' Wrightbus Executive Chairman Jo Bamford said: 'With every new order and every entry into a new territory we're flying the flag for UK manufacturing. 'HSBC UK's support and detailed knowledge of our industry will help us lead the way in a new era for buses as we expand our offering across the globe.' Asset management firm HYCAP helped to structure the deal between HSBC and Wrightbus. George Saunders, capital markets director at the firm, said: 'The tailored solutions provided by HSBC deliver operational flexibility across the capital requirements of the business, enabling it to deliver electric and hydrogen buses at the speed and scale required to be a key transport decarbonisation partner.' Akhil Shah, relationship director from HSBC UK, said: 'Wrightbus is a remarkable UK success story. Having been bought out of administration just six years ago, the business has grown from employing around 50 people in 2019 to more than 2,300 today. 'HSBC UK's end-to-end experience across the public transport sector made us the ideal choice to become the business's main backer and this new injection of funding puts Wrightbus in prime position to deliver on its ambitious aims.' News Catch Up - Thursday 8 May Rohit Moudgil, head of manufacturing and industrials for HSBC UK, said: 'HSBC UK is proud to support Wrightbus who are contributing to the decarbonisation of the public transport system in the UK. 'The transaction underlines our commitment to supporting the entire zero-emission vehicle ecosystem, connecting manufacturers, supply chains and end customers. 'Our sector team and coverage bankers are committed to providing the financial solutions businesses need to accelerate UK's transition to zero-emission vehicles.'
