Wrightbus boss Jo Bamford today praised the legacy of Sir William Wright, who has died at the age of 94, saying he created the platform for a business which was now leading the world in zero-emission technologies.
Mr Bamford purchased the Wrightbus business in 2019 and paid tribute to the vision of Sir William, who founded the firm in Ballymena with his father Robert Wright after World War Two.
“Sir William and his father were pioneers, of that there is no doubt,” said Mr Bamford. “The Wrightbus name is synonymous with everything they stood for and those values - problem-solving, hard work and never giving up - course through the business I run today.
“Sir William was fiercely loyal to this community and the fact his name is still held in such regard is testament to his relentless dedication.”
Sir William pioneered aluminium bus framing in the UK in 1976, the first low floor bus in 1992, first British designed and built EV bus in 1999 and finally ensured the future of the business by leading the design of the worlds first hydrogen fuel cell double deck in 2015.
Wrightbus employs more than 1,000 people at its factory in Ballymena, Co Antrim, and produced the world’s first hydrogen double-deck bus. Its zero- emission battery electric bus was recently named as the most efficient in the world, with orders coming in from around the globe.
“Everyone here at Wrightbus should never forget how this business started and the sacrifices which were made to ensure it goes from strength to strength in the future.
“Sir William is an indelible part of this fantastic story.”
Read more
Wrightbus sets sights on further European expansion after hydrogen buses land in Germany
Read on
Northern Ireland Secretary visits Wrightbus on back of landmark £18.2 billion Budget boost to the region
Read on
NewPower secures first order from First Bus just weeks after launch
Read on
Wrightbus has contributed more than £1.5 billion to the UK economy
Read on
100 zero emission electric buses for Translink propels green growth for Northern Ireland
Read on
Wrightbus unveils plan for European growth after incredible start to 2024
Read on
Vierter Deal in Deutschland: Cottbusverkehr ordert 46 Wasserstoffbusse von Wrightbus
Read on
Wrightbus helps Irish city to become one of the first to deploy fully electric bus service
Read on
First Bus launches all-electric fleet depot after investing in Wrightbus’s ZE buses
Read on
Wrightbus sichert sich neuen Auftrag für 28 Wasserstoffbusse
Read on
Wrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero-emission buses to London
Read on
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary hails green innovation at Wrightbus
Read on
Oxford continues charge to net zero with launch of Wrightbus’s fully electric buses
Read on
Get in touch
Wrightbus has been at the forefront of transport innovation since 1946, relentlessly pushing the boundaries with its commitment to quality, style and safety.
