Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) will invest £31 million in research and development of technologies to design and manufacture low carbon buses, creating 101 new jobs and securing a further 126 existing jobs. This major innovation programme was announced by CEO Colin Robertson during a visit to ADL’s Falkirk plant by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The Scottish Government’s development agency, Scottish Enterprise, will support the programme with a £7.3 million R&D grant.
ADL, Britain’s biggest bus manufacturer, has a programme which brings together a number of individual projects that will develop technologies for low and zero emission single and double deck buses for the UK as well as new and existing international markets.
The programme, set to run until the end of 2018, aims to take advantage of the growing global demand for alternative ‘green’ powertrains as well as refining auxiliary components to improve environmental efficiency.
ADL’s commitment to delivering innovation is recognised by Scottish Enterprise in their £7.3 million contribution, the largest single R&D grant that it has awarded to a company.
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, said: “Alexander Dennis is one of the world’s leading bus and coach builders and a true Scottish success story.
“This new grant funding, the highest ever R&D award by Scottish Enterprise, will create over 100 new jobs and secure a further 120 jobs in ADL’s low carbon vehicles project.
“The project is integral to ADL’s growth and export strategy that aims to capture more of the increasing global demand for hybrid and electric buses, especially in developing markets around the world.”
Colin Robertson, CEO of Alexander Dennis Limited, commented: “We are delighted that Scottish Enterprise supports us in our aim of developing low and zero emission buses.
“We look forward to local authorities and cities around the UK as well as abroad seizing the opportunity to introduce these sustainable vehicles which bring massive benefits to passengers, city dwellers and the environment.
“This investment in new products for the UK and international markets enables companies like our own to stay at the forefront of industry at home and overseas and will help us achieve our strategic goal of a £1 billion turnover by 2020.”
Dr Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “This success is illustrated by the work Alexander Dennis has been undertaking recently. Over the last eight years its turnover has tripled, which is down to the management team’s relentless focus on innovation and new markets for the products developed from its R&D efforts.
“We’ve worked intensively with ADL on three innovation projects, as well as its international strategy to maximise its revenue. It’s an approach that is certainly paying off for ADL, and I wish the team well with this newest project.”