Alexander Dennis has announced plans to create a third manufacturing site by converting warehouse space at its Larbert headquarters.
The company, a subsidiary of NGI Group, will focus from August 2023 onwards on the production of the new Enviro400EV zero-emission bus at the Scottish town and add to its sites at nearby Falkirk, as well as at Scarborough.
Although Larbert has previously produced occasional prototypes and a larger batch of Enviro400FCEV buses, the revamp will see production lines installed.
The changes follow the opening of Alexander Dennis’s research and development centre in Farnborough in 2022.
Alexander Dennis, which employs more than 690 workers in the manufacturing industry, has produced nearly 1500 zero-emissions vehicles since 2016.
Alexander Dennis President and Managing Director Paul Davies says: “Over the past couple of years, we have been laser-focused on a modernisation agenda, underpinned by significant investment in our people, our products and our facilities.
“We not only need to future-proof our manufacturing capabilities for the ‘ZEvolution’, but we also need to ensure that we create the best possible working environment in which our people can excel. This is another step on our Alexander Dennis journey to build a sustainable company for the future, with zero-emission buses being at the core of the repurposed and upgraded Larbert site.
“This marks another exciting milestone in our progress and development as a business and continues to define the Alexander Dennis zero-emission range as a serious catalyst for change in the UK bus industry.”
The news follows this week’s announcement that Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV autonomous buses will be put into service next month.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, adds: “Alexander Dennis is a world-class leader in bus production and this announcement reinforces their position as a key employer in the Falkirk area.
“Their modernisation and adaptation to changing markets shows how they are at the forefront of their industry, and we are proud to have them based in our area providing employment and investment opportunities in the coming years.”
