Alexander Dennis Inc (ADI) has increased its North American footprint and underlined its long term commitment to supporting “this significant market” with a multi- million dollar investment in a manufacturing hub in Nappanee, Indiana.
ADI is part of the North American arm of Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL).
Since September 2014 ADI has engaged with a contract manufacturer to produce double-deck buses in Nappanee, Indiana. From 29 December 2016 ownership of assets and the facility lease transitioned to ADI which takes over the entire operation.
ADI will invest in excess of $1.5m to transform the existing facility with an improved customer reception area, office space and staff facilities including refurbished break rooms. This project is due for completion by March.
ADI will optimize manufacturing efficiency by consolidating all operations at the Nappanee site into one 12,000m2 building rather than the previous smaller footprint over multiple buildings.
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A second body assembly line will be added to the existing two lines (one chassis, one body) which will more than double weekly output.
One body assembly line will focus on the world’s best-selling three axle double deck, the Enviro500 13ft 6in (4.1m) model and one on the “revolutionary” new Enviro500 SuperLo.
The Enviro500 forms the backbone of fleets in Seattle, Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York, Ottawa and Toronto.
ADL says that a further iteration of this best-selling model, the Enviro500 SuperLo at a unique low height of 12ft 10in (3.9m) is “set to transform the interurban transport landscape across the continent” by resolving the challenge of low bridge restrictions which had previously curtailed double deck services on some routes.
Thanks to engineering expertise and innovative chassis design, the height saving has been achieved while maintaining the current, spacious interior saloon dimensions that maximise passenger comfort.
Metrolinx, the Government of Ontario’s transportation authority for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, that already has a significant fleet of Enviro500 buses, placed an order for the brand new three-axle Alexander Dennis Enviro500 SuperLo double deck buses in November 2014, with the first vehicles in service since summer 2016.
The double-deckers are designed to deliver an “exceptional passenger experience.”
On-board comfort is a “core focus” as the vehicles carry up to 81 seated passengers in a contemporary environment with reclining seats, individual reading lights, armrests and air vents as well as being wheelchair accessible and having an expansive luggage compartment of more than 6m3.
From January, the staff in North America will be in excess of 250 full-time people and a combined parts and manufacturing footprint of 21,480m2.
Alexander Dennis Inc (ADI), Alexander Dennis Canada Inc. (ADCI) and Alexander Dennis Mexico, S.A. de CV (ADMX) form the North American division of Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), one of the world’s leading bus and coach manufacturers.
ADL’s North American division dates back to 2005 when ADI was formed.
ADL has a history and heritage of design, engineering and manufacturing excellence that spans more than a century with offices in UK, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and North America.
ADL has tripled its turnover to more than £600m ($745m) in 2015 and is on track to achieve this in 2016 also, with up to 50% of its revenue now coming from international markets.
Adds ADL: “This growth is attributable to a clear strategic focus on delivering lightweight, fuel efficient vehicles with industry-leading reliability, lowest cost of ownership and best-in-class aftermarket support.”
