Pelican Bus and Coach has further expanded its aftersales support for the Yutong brand. It has opened a 12,000ft2 national parts distribution centre close to its existing facilities in West Yorkshire and appointed Sam Williams to the role of Yutong Bus and Coach Parts Operations Manager as it homes in on achieving the marque’s 1,000th UK sale.
Mr Williams brings what the dealership describes as “a wealth of experience of managing multi-site parts operations.” He is charged with optimising the parts stockholding and distribution function to maximise customer satisfaction and he will be visiting Yutong customers nationwide from September.
The new parts distribution centre is equipped with twin-level racking. That will allow it to stock sufficient parts to support all types of Yutong coaches and buses in service in the UK, and particularly its battery-electric range.
Developments in parts management for Pelican come as the business reports a 70% increase in turnover to £73m for the year ending 31 March. It has seen growth across all of its business areas, and describes interest in zero-emission coaches and buses as “fast growing… from all sections of the industry.” Sales of diesel coaches are also recovering well post-COVID-19.
By the end of 2022, there will be 240 battery-electric Yutong coaches and buses in service in the UK. Head of Pelican Yutong Bus Ian Downie notes that the dealership is “focused on growing our range and services to the UK’s coach operators, who have shown that they are keen to adopt the latest technology, adding greener and more efficient alternatives to their fleets.”
Pelican Managing Director Richard Crump (pictured, right) says that the milestone 1,000th Yutong sale is expected in early 2023.
“After the disruption of the last two years, we are seeing all parts of the business recovering well and we will be reinvesting our increases revenues in plant, resources and people to better support our customers into the future.”
Mr Downie adds that a “strong pipeline” of orders from both new and repeat customers for battery-electric vehicles is in hand for Pelican.
In coach, the dealership is seeing growing interest in Yutong products, says Coach Sales Manager Simon Collins. The sector “is demonstrating its resilience with increased orders and enquiries for our diesel and electric coach range, such as the market leading TC9,” he explains.
“Our expanded sales force, including Amelia Crump, the fourth generation of the Crump family, is continually working with our customers on additional business.”
