Irizar UK is moving ahead with the development of a new four-acre headquarters site near Blyth in Nottinghamshire built on what it says is a record year in 2024 and strong orders to 2026.
Facilities there will include a showroom and coach handover facilities along with office accommodation and extensive coach parking. A planning application has been submitted and main contractors are currently being selected. Opening is expected in Q4 2025.
Purchase of the site – close to the A1 – was completed in 2018, but economic uncertainties because of the pandemic period and the UK’s departure from the EU saw the project put on hold, the dealership advises. Work is now moving forward again based on strong trading by the supplier of DAF-engined Irizar integral coaches.
Speaking about the progress, Managing Director Andrew Blundell says: “It is a major milestone for Irizar in the UK. We have reached a key transitional phase in the evolution of the business, and investing in our own premises will give us the capacity to further enhance our market position in the UK.
“Given the post-COVID turbulence impacting coach and bus manufacturers, customers should see this significant investment as not only a long-term commitment to our intentions for the UK market, but also a reflection on the stability of Irizar and its ability to weather changes and remain focused on the longer term.
“We have confidence in the UK, and a commitment to deliver for our customers,” Mr Blundell concludes.
On success in 2024, Irizar UK says that by mid-November it had delivered more new vehicles that in previous full years and is on target to reach the 100 mark by the close of December with coaches for more than 35 operators.
Alongside retail buyers, those customers include the Ministry of Defence and First Bus. Relationships have also been formed with Mistral Bus and Coach and Dawsongroup that give access to Irizar integral coaches via operating lease and rental. Repeat orders with both those companies have been secured for 2025 “and beyond,” the dealership says.
Irizar UK is showing four vehicles at Euro Bus Expo, including an i4 integral, an i6S Efficient integral, and an i8 integral. They are joined by an ie tram battery-electric bus for Go-Ahead London on the Kent Fastrack network.
The latest generation i6S Efficient integral recently commenced production. In integral form it will offer a further 5% reduction in fuel consumption. The first example is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
