Irizar UK has supplied 26 integral coaches for use by the Ministry of Defence via a multi-stakeholder deal. Babcock International managed the procurement via competitive tender, while Novuna Vehicle Solutions was selected as lease provider.
21 tri-axle 14m i6 integrals each with 59 seats and five 12.9m two-axle i4 integrals that each seat 51 make up the batch. Irizar UK Managing Director Andrew Blundell notes that they are built to a specification “that optimises the Ministry of Defence’s unique requirements around passenger seat numbers and payload capacity.”
All the Irizar integrals are to PSVAR ready specification to allow straightforward conversion to full compliance later in life. Their DAF engines are coupled to ZF Traxon automated manual gearboxes.
HVO compatibility of the power units “was particularly important in the selection criteria,” Irizar UK says, with use of that renewable fuel offering a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions.
Mr Blundell adds that that winning public sector tenders such as that with the Ministry of Defence forms part of Irizar UK’s strategic roadmap. Upon his appointment in March 2020, diversification of the dealer’s customer base and volume growth were two clear objectives.
“I am delighted that Irizar in the UK is now actively engaged in supplying units in larger fleets and the public sector,” he adds.
“While the retail market will remain vitally important to us, our successful divergence into larger volume deals will deliver critical mass into our business, and strategically underpin our medium-term plans for the UK market as we embark on the next exciting phase of our growth.”
Speaking about the procurement process, Novuna Vehicle Solutions National Business Development Manager Toby Carter says that it has been “seamless” from order to user delivery, including the leasing provider’s pre-delivery inspections and driver training.
“Everyone in the process has been very satisfied with the outcome, and we have received excellent user feedback – so a great job done by all involved.”
