Alexander Dennis has enjoyed a record year for UK sales as operators completed compliance with PSVAR rules on double-deckers.
The Falkirk-based business said while group revenue was flat at £601m in the year to the end of December, domestic sales jumped 23% to £356m, driven by the legislation, with 1,444 new buses sold.
CEO Colin Robertson says the company hopes to regain ground lost in London in the coming year with Mayor Sadiq Khan having said he will stop buying the New Routemaster, produced by Wrightbus.
Foreign sales dropped almost 30% to £187m as demand eased in Hong Kong after operators renewed their fleets. However, winning a key contract in Canada may open up a route to much larger sales in the country. The weaker pound is also expected to increase export orders.
Profit during the year rose by £732,000 to £23.7m and margins increased by 0.2% to 4.4%
The company, which has about 2,400 staff, paid an £8m dividend
