Wrightbus bosses announce a 77% leap in revenue

Wrightbus bosses hailed production efficiencies and a full order book for a 77% leap in revenue at the Ballymena-based business.

Chief Executive Jean-Marc Gales said he was “incredibly proud” of the results which saw turnover jump from £257.8m in 2023 to £455.1m.

The business has become profitable for the first year since acquisition, with operating profit at £37m in 2024 – an increase of £40m from the £3m operating loss announced in 2023.

Wrightbus had just 49 employees when it was rescued from administration in 2019. It now boasts over 2,300, with a further 7,500 jobs secured in the largely UK supply chain.

While bus manufacturing is at its core, Wrightbus has expanded its after-sales and repowering divisions and is part of a wider group which also offers depot charging solutions, alternative energy supplies and net-zero financing.

“In a tough market we have thrived, creating thousands of jobs, bringing new levels of product quality to the bus market and delighting passengers,” Mr Gales added.

He pointed to the huge investment and research programmes – a £25m spend - which heralded the development of multiple new products, including a new coach, a 6x2 double-deck bus and the rollout of a repowered truck, with orders across the UK, Germany and Asia.

Wrightbus also launched NewPower -its repowering division in Bicester - announced record numbers of apprentices, with 103 trainees learning skills from electronics to fabrication, as well as ploughing investment into its Malaysia factory which services orders across south east Asia.

Wrightbus Executive Chairman Jo Bamford said the strong figures underlined the company’s ambitious expansion targets.

“The climb out of administration in 2019 was tough, but we are now proud to be market leaders, driving quality and innovation in the bus sector and expanding into new areas,” he said.

“Wrightbus has a proven track record in innovative engineering and design, and 2024 saw the successful launch of a left-hand drive hydrogen fuel cell bus compliant with all German regulations. This bus adds to our full complement of both single deck and double deck variants across all drives-lines - diesel, hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric.”

There has also been a corresponding upskill of staff, with more employees having electrical engineering and hydrogen gas engineering expertise.

“Continued investment in our people remains a priority and is key to retaining our competitive advantage,” Mr Bamford added.

Wrightbus has won a string of accolades in the last two years, including being named the fastest growing bus manufacturer in the UK and Europe and the leading zero-emission bus manufacturer in the UK.