The Sydney Bus and Coach Expo had some interesting participants including global zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus, which used the show to re-launch its operations in Australia.
The British based zero emission bus and power train maker has been a part of the Bamford family’s portfolio of business since it went into administration in 2019 and was bought out of administration by Jo Bamford. The Sanford family interests includes well known earthmoving/construction/agriculture machinery maker JCB, with the company saying the Australian bus operation is a significant new chapter for Wrightbus’ international growth strategy, and claims it reinforces its position as a ‘world leader in sustainable transport innovation’.
Wrightbus enters the Australian market with a long-term commitment to collaboration as it celebrates its 80th anniversary, claiming it now has 3,000 zero-emission vehicles on the road across the UK and Europe, and working in partnership with operators, governments and industry partners to share its global expertise and help accelerate the transition to zero-emission public transport.
The new venture was officially unveiled at the Bus and Coach Expo by the British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner for the Asia Pacific, Anna Shotbolt, a last week, and builds on historic links with Australia dating back to the company’s first exports to Canberra 30 years ago.
The previous incarnation of Wrightbus had a couple of faltering attempts at the Australian market with different distributors, but with the company’s strong recapitalisation following going into administration in 2019 and with scion on the JCB empire, Jo Bamford now at the helm as executive chair of the organisation, with a focus on zero emission buses and powertrain systems, it is having another play in Australia.
Heading up the local Asia Pacific operations for WrightBus is well known bus and coach executive, Daniel Castro, who has had senior executive roles with the likes of Irizar and SEA Electric along with other major players in the industry. Castro is regional director of the local operation in the Asia Pacific and he has drafted in highly experienced former Scania Australia bus and coach manager, Julian Gurney, who has the role of head of sales for WrightBus in Australia and New Zealand
The company says that it is investing in local capability, strengthening partnerships across the region, and creating opportunities throughout its international supply chain as demand for zero-emission transport continues to grow.
It says that its zero-emission fleet operates worldwide and collectively has travelled more than 200 million emission-free kilometres, and brings proven battery-electric and hydrogen technologies backed by decades of engineering expertise and global operational experience.
Although it did not have any actual buses on its stand at the Sydney Expo it is representing three of its vehicles for the Australian market, including the single deck Kite battery-electric, the single deck Kite hydrogen fuel cell powered bus, both of which it claims are already fully approved for the TfNSW Procurement Panel, which the company says underlines its readiness to support operators in Australia from day one. The company was also highlighting is double decker StreetDeck 6×2 battery-electric bus, which it points out is the subject of a 20 bus order from Hong Kong’s City Bus for operations on the crowded streets of Hong Kong, following what WrightBus describes as an incredibly competitive
tender process.
Executive chairman of Wrightbus, Jo Bamford, said that Australia represents a hugely important market for Wrightbus.
“We are delighted to be back with a renewed focus and a long-term commitment to supporting the country’s transition to zero-emission public transport,” Banford said.
Similarly the company’s managing director Christian Reynolds said that its vehicles are already proving themselves every day in cities around the world.
“We’re excited to share our experience with Australian customers but this is about more than supplying buses, it’s about building partnerships, creating ecosystems, supporting jobs and developing sustainable transport solutions for decades to come,” Reynolds said.
“Collaboration is central to how we operate, enabling us to share the expertise we’ve built delivering zero-emission fleets across the UK, Europe and Asia, while working with partners to understand local needs, share knowledge and develop solutions that deliver lasting impact,” he added.
In officiating at the re-launchof WrightBus in Australia the British consul-general and deputy trade commissioner, Anna Shotbolt, said that it is fantastic to see the Northern Irish bus and coach manufacturer returning to Australia to build on a partnership that began more than three decades ago.
“As Wrightbus celebrates its 80th anniversary it combines a proud heritage of British engineering with zero-emission expertise, which will help operators and communities across Australia move toward a cleaner, greener transport future,” the consul-general said.
As we mentioned earlier, Daniel Castro is leading the company’s Australian operation along with fellow industry specialist Julian Gurney as head of sales. The company says that Castro and Gurney’s local market knowledge and relationships will help establish it as a long-term partner with operators who are seeking practical, proven decarbonisation solutions.
The company points to Gurney’s 20 years’ of experience in the region, including his involvement with the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC).
“I am delighted to be back at the Sydney Expo with Wrightbus, a truly historic company, as it seeks to work with operators and partners in Australia and help them deliver their vision for a cleaner, greener transport network,” Castro said.
“Australia is a highly respected, mature and professional market and it’s really defining its own future. Daniel and I, along with the rest of the Wrightbus team are fully committed to supporting its decarbonisation goals,” he said.
“With 80 years of engineering heritage behind us and a clear focus on the future, we’re excited to write the next chapter of the Wrightbus story in Australia,” he added.
“We’re not just introducing innovative vehicles, we’re establishing the partnerships and support network needed to help customers succeed as they modernise their fleets,” he said
The’ regional director for Australia and New Zealand for Invest North Ireland, Richard Ennis, said that as the economic development agency for Northern Ireland, it is proud to support Wrightbus on its journey into the Australian market.
“We will be helping the company explore opportunities and building valuable connections across the region and Wrightbus’s growth in Australia demonstrates its strength in advanced manufacturing and clean technology, so we look forward to supporting the company’s continued success in the years ahead,” Ennis said.
Wrightbus says that its expansion also reflects the growing market opportunity for clean transport technologies across Asia Pacific.
Justin Habner, the head of Asia Pacific for Invest Northern Ireland, said that Wrightbus’ launch in Australia demonstrates the growing international demand for Northern Ireland’s expertise in clean transport and sustainable innovation.
“With governments and operators across Asia Pacific investing in decarbonisation, Wrightbus is ideally positioned to support the transition to zero-emission public transport,” Habner said.
“We will continue to work with Wrightbus to support the company as it expands its international footprint and to showcaseNorthern Ireland’s sectoral strengths in clean technology transport throughout Asia-Pacific,” he added.
Wrightbus has manufacturing bases across both the UK and in Malaysia, and claims it is supported by more than 2,300 employees as well as an extended supply chain valued at more than $AUD575milion ( £300million) per year, which it claims sustains a further 7,500 jobs, with the company saying it has become one of the UK’s leading clean-transport success stories.
