Specialist bus maker on road to record profits

Rochdale-based specialist bus maker, Mellor, is forecasting record revenues for its current financial year.

It said it foresees a year of unparalleled success, and is projecting turnover of more than £85m for the Bus Division and an output of 900 units in 2023.

Growth has been underpinned by 40% workforce growth since 2019.

This has helped improve expansion on the international stage over the past 18 months, it said.

This includes Sweden, where Mellor’s development of a custom product for Gothenburg’s demand response transport, demonstrates its resilience even in the harshest Swedish winters. Demonstration programme are also running in key cities including Munich, Vienna, and Barcelona.

And Mellor has made significant strides in the DACH region (Central European countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), with the successful delivery of three Sigma 7 vehicles to the city of Kiel in Germany.

The group attributes its expansion to fortifying minibus capabilities, spearheading innovation and accessibility to secure a prominent position in the UK market, and venturing into the growth-oriented Sigma range. The Sigma family offers one of the broadest ranges of battery-electric buses in Europe.

However, the group said the continued relevance of its Euro 6 low carbon diesel ranges in the UK market underscores its success in creating reliability and a low total cost of ownership.

The firm’s rapid expansion is underpinned by strategic investments, it said. These include a substantial investment of £15m which has been pivotal in yielding cutting-edge product development, cementing Mellor’s premier position in the industry.

Future plans include exploring new markets while tailoring the product range to cater to diverse needs. A broader vehicle range will see advancements in battery chemistry and reduced vehicle weight, enhancing customer experience and encouraging a shift from cars to sustainable urban mobility solutions.

Gustavo Marqueta, group business development director of parent group WN VTech, said: “Engineering excellence, agility and the ability to continuously improve based on customer feedback have paved the way for our remarkable growth. This transformation allowed us to explore new markets and pioneer sustainable solutions, showcased by Mellor’s resilience during the pandemic, notably with the Sigma range.

“Our integration within the broader WN VTech group reflects a shared focus on engineering prowess and attracts synergies in a myriad of supply chain and manufacturing areas. Mellor’s investment shift, particularly since the introduction of the Sigma range in 2020, underlines our dedication to driving positive societal change and propelling sustainable vehicle technology into the future.”