Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), Britain’s biggest bus and coach manufacturer, confirmed today that it is to establish a new manufacturing facility in Ontario, Canada.
The move follows a deal with Metrolinx – the Government of Ontario’s transportation authority for Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area – that will see ADL supply over 250 new, low-height double deck buses over the next five years. The agreement also includes an option for a further 150 vehicles should they be required.
ADL already has almost 125 double decks operating in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area where they have proved hugely popular with passengers, drivers and operators. The new, ultra-low buses will be able to access four major terminals that cannot be served by double decks at present due to height restrictions, thereby opening up virtually all of the transport authority’s routes to potential double deck services.
Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of ADL, commented: “This initiative is the result of a seven-year business relationship with Metrolinx that has gone from strength-to-strength. It involves a multi-year, exclusive agreement for the supply of double deck buses and marks a milestone for ADL. It also reinforces the reputation and performance credentials of our Enviro500 high capacity, three-axle double deck range, which is now proving to be a winner in continents around the world.
“We look forward to becoming a fully-fledged contributor to the local economy, creating jobs and extending our supplier network. The first part of that process will be the introduction of an ADL chassis assembly facility in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. This will create up to 30 jobs and construction will begin in the middle of next year with the first of the new 250 low-height double decks being delivered in early 2016.”
ADL has tripled its turnover to £500m in recent years with 50% of its earning now coming from export markets. Behind its success lies a string of business wins, build partnerships, alliances and joint ventures that have seen it strengthen and extend its global footprint in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia and North America where ADL fleets now operate in cities such as Toronto, New York, Washington DC., Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and Ottawa.
Robert Davey, ADL’s Group Commercial and Business Development Director commented: “Progress is invariably built on partnerships and achievements and this project is the living proof of that statement. Working with Metrolinx we have demonstrated that the introduction of double decks makes sense. They make a unique contribution to a sophisticated, integrated transport system, carrying large numbers of people within a limited road space, particularly when compared to longer, articulated vehicles. Our Enviro500 also delivers class-leading performance in terms of passenger costs per kilometer and greater manoeuvrability, factors that have been the mainstay of its success internationally.
“This latest order will see the double deck establish itself as the backbone of the bus fleet in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and provide the springboard for ADL to expand further in Canada and the USA. It is a welcome extension to our growing global footprint and has been achieved with formidable support from UK Export Finance, HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group.”