Zero-emission bus pioneer Wrightbus today announced the acquisition of Midlands firm RGI in a ‘pivotal’ deal to continue the firm’s push into bus refurbishment and repair.
In what has been an already stellar year for the Ballymena-based firm, during which it was named as the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in Europe as well as unveiling a £500m deal with Go-Ahead, the buy-out of highly-regarded RGI Bus and Coach Refurbishment Limited underlines its commitment to growth and expansion.
The deal will enable Wrightbus and its subsidiary NewPower to offer a complete suite of refurbishment options, from upholstery to metalwork, alongside its existing powertrain conversion operation.
Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said the company was entering a bold new phase in a bid to underline its global credentials.
“The growth of this company is entirely dependent on our incredible staff delivering world-leading products and services,” he explained. “We want to ensure the Wrightbus name is known not just in the UK and Ireland but all across the globe.
“We are already selling buses across the UK and into Germany and Asia, and we want to ensure that we have services to maintain the entire life-cycle of the bus.”
The deal, signed at the end of last month, secures RGI’s impressive facilities in Southam along with 13 members of staff. It also sees RGI owner Ross Cleaver join Wrightbus as Head of Repair and Refurbishment UK.
Ross, a former West Midlands police officer who set the business up in 2016, said he was excited at the new challenge.
“I have been following the incredible trajectory of Wrightbus since it was taken out of administration in 2019 and it’s clear that this is only just the beginning. I wanted to be a part of that continued success and so this deal was a no-brainer.
“Ever since I started RGI, our customers have been paramount. These same ethics and approach are shared by Wrightbus and I’m delighted to be involved in taking it to the next level.”
Added Jean-Marc: “We extend a very warm welcome to Ross and his team and we know that their experience and skillset will be enormously valuable to us and our customers.
“While zero-emission buses clearly offer instant decarbonisation, the continued use and re-use of existing fleets is equally important for the circular economy.”
Read more
Wrightbus sets sights on further European expansion after hydrogen buses land in Germany
Read onNorthern Ireland Secretary visits Wrightbus on back of landmark £18.2 billion Budget boost to the region
Read onNewPower secures first order from First Bus just weeks after launch
Read onWrightbus has contributed more than £1.5 billion to the UK economy
Read on100 zero emission electric buses for Translink propels green growth for Northern Ireland
Read onWrightbus unveils plan for European growth after incredible start to 2024
Read onVierter Deal in Deutschland: Cottbusverkehr ordert 46 Wasserstoffbusse von Wrightbus
Read onWrightbus helps Irish city to become one of the first to deploy fully electric bus service
Read onFirst Bus launches all-electric fleet depot after investing in Wrightbus’s ZE buses
Read onWrightbus sichert sich neuen Auftrag für 28 Wasserstoffbusse
Read onWrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero-emission buses to London
Read onShadow Northern Ireland Secretary hails green innovation at Wrightbus
Read onOxford continues charge to net zero with launch of Wrightbus’s fully electric buses
Read onWrightbus secures further orders with transport operator Abellio
Read onGet 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.