Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryBus manufacturing
PredecessorTransBus International
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
HeadquartersLarbert, Scotland
Key people
Paul Davies, President & Managing Director[1]
ProductsBuses
Revenue£631 million (2018)
£31 million (2018)
Number of employees
2,500 (2019)
ParentNFI Group
Websitealexander-dennis.com

Alexander Dennis is a British bus manufacturing company based in Larbert, Scotland. The largest bus and coach manufacturer in the United Kingdom with a 50% market share in 2019, it has manufacturing plants and partnerships in Canada,[2] China, Europe, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand,[3] Singapore, South Africa and the United States.[4]

History

TransBus - the precursor of Alexander Dennis

Previous logo of the company from 2004 to 2022

Mayflower Corporation acquired Scottish bus-makers, Walter Alexander, in August 1995[5] and English bus-makers, Dennis Group, in October 1998.[6] In 2000, Mayflower and Henlys Group merged their British bus-making operations into a 70:30 joint venture with Alexander, Dennis and Henlys' Plaxton merged to form TransBus International. The factories concerned employed 3,300 staff in seven places in England (Anston, Guildford, Scarborough and Wigan), Scotland (Falkirk) and Northern Ireland (Belfast).[7][8]

Plaxton's Scarborough operations was planned to close on 3 May 2001[9] with the loss of 700 jobs blamed on the fall in tourism after the foot and mouth epidemic broke out. Minibus production was moved to the former Walter Alexander factory at Falkirk.[10] However, the Scarborough factory did not close altogether, for 200 staff returned to work after the summer break.[11]

Mayflower was valued at £700 million in 1999. By March 2004, that stock market valuation had fallen to £22 million.[12] The following month Mayflower was placed in administration, amid accusations of four years of falsifying crucial company records as to customers' payments to HSBC, counting the same income twice.[13] One outcome was that certain members of the Dennis pension fund would receive only 40 per cent of their pensions, though others would continue to receive their full entitlement.[14] TransBus was also placed in administration.

TransBus Plaxton was sold to in a management buyout to Brian Davidson and Mike Keane with the support of a private equity group.[15][16]

The former Alexander Dennis chassis factory in Guildford, closed in 2020

Formation of Alexander Dennis

Arriva North West Enviro400 in Liverpool in March 2013
Western Greyhound Alexander ALX400 bodied Trident 2 in Truro in June 2014
Arriva North West Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident 2 in July 2010
Citybus Enviro500 MMC in Hong Kong in January 2014
First Hampshire & Dorset Enviro 200 in April 2009
Arriva North West Plaxton Pointer 1 bodied Dennis Dart SLF in October 2009

A group of Scottish investors, Noble Grossart, David Murray, Brian Souter and Ann Gloag, purchased the business from administrator Deloitte in May 2004.[17][18][19]

The former Alexander Belfast plant was not included in the deal and closed.[20] Alexander Dennis ultimately inherited a number of plants from TransBus: the former Alexander factories in Falkirk, Scotland; the Dennis factory in Guildford and later the former Plaxton factories in Anston and Scarborough.[21] The former Northern Counties factory in Wigan closed in January 2005.[22]

Dennis Group had produced a range of both bus and coach chassis and bodies as well as fire engines.[23] Included among its range of chassis were the Dennis Dart and Dennis Trident.[21][23] They also produced export variants for service in Hong Kong, Singapore and other locations.[21] Plaxton made coaches,[24] as well as the President double decker body (built on Trident, DAF DB250 and Volvo B7TL chassis) and the single decker Pointer body, built on the Dart chassis.[25]

In May 2007, Alexander Dennis purchased Plaxton, thus reuniting the two former TransBus businesses.[26][27]

In October 2008, Alexander Dennis signed a deal with ElDorado National to assemble the Enviro500 for the United States market.[28] In 2011, Alexander Dennis entered an agreement with Kiwi Bus Builders to assemble its products for the New Zealand market.[29][30]

In May 2012, NFI Group and Alexander Dennis announced a new joint-venture to design and manufacture medium-duty low-floor bus (or midi bus) for the North American market. New Flyer would handle production and marketing, and Alexander Dennis would handle the engineering and testing.[31][32] The joint venture was dissolved in 2017.[33] In June 2012, Alexander Dennis acquired Australian bodybuilder Custom Coaches.[34] However, in May 2014, Custom Coaches was placed into administration and later sold to a consortium headed by its former owner.[35][36]

In 2015 Alexander Dennis established an assembly plant in Vaughan, Ontario for orders to Metrolinx.[37][38] In October 2015, Alexander Dennis signed a deal with BYD to body electric buses.[39] From 2021, Alexander Dennis will build its own electric chassis.[40]

NFI Group era

In May 2019, Alexander Dennis was sold to NFI Group, in a deal worth £320 million. Souter Investments retain an interest, taking shares in NFI Group as part of the transaction.[41] The two companies had been engaged in a joint venture from 2012 until 2017.[42][43]

In August 2020, Alexander Dennis announced plans to cut 650 jobs from its UK manufacturing sites including Falkirk, Scarborough and Guildford, citing a demand drop due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[44] Bus chassis production moved from Guildford to Falkirk.[45][46]

June 2021 saw Alexander Dennis open a base in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, which was described by local media as "boosting economic growth".[47]

In July 2021, Alexander Dennis announced plans for construction of a new staff office complex and museum in Farnborough, Hampshire named Trident House. The centre was expected to be completed in early 2022.[48] Alexander Dennis also entered a business partnership with Australian electric bus supplier Nexport to assemble electric city buses locally, with Australian manufacturing expected to begin in early 2022.[49]

In April 2022, Alexander Dennis commenced trials of an autonomous Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC working with Stagecoach Group,[50] as part of a two-week pilot. Two months later in June, the company formally opened its Trident House complex, while at the same time, launched a refresh of its brand identity.[51][52]

After building a batch of Enviro400FCEV buses in a pilot scheme at the site in 2022, Alexander Dennis announced it would expand its Larbert headquarters by converting on-site warehouse space to bus manufacturing facilities. Production of the second-generation Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV is planned to begin at Larbert from August 2023, taking the company's manufacturing footprint in the United Kingdom to three sites.[53]

Products

Buses

Current

Complete buses

Bus Bodies

Future

Discontinued

Bus bodies

  • Pointer (2001–2007, originally made by Plaxton, replaced by Enviro200 Dart)
  • ALX300 (2001-2007, originally Alexander, replaced by Enviro300)
  • ALX400 (2001-2006, originally Alexander, replaced by Enviro400)
  • President (2001-2005, originally Plaxton, replaced by Enviro400)

Complete buses (or chassis/body only)

Bus chassis

Coach chassis

Fire engine (Chassis and crew cab)

Hong Kong Fire Services Department Dennis Sabre fire engine

Fire engine vehicles were built by Dennis Group and sold under the Dennis Fire brand until 2007. The bodywork on a majority of the later chassis were built by a neighbouring company, John Dennis Coachbuilders Limited.

Discontinued

See also

References

  1. ^ "ADL CHIEF EXECUTIVE COLIN ROBERTSON TO JOIN NFI GROUP BOARD AS PAUL DAVIES TAKES OVER AS ADL PRESIDENT & MANAGING DIRECTOR". Alexander Dennis. 16 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Alexander Dennis to create Ontario plant". The Scotsman. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Contact us | Alexander Dennis". www.alexander-dennis.com. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  4. ^ "2 Indiana bus assembly plants to close, costing 190 jobs". WFYI Public Media. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  5. ^ Mayflower acquisition cash call The Times 7 June 1996; pg. 30; Issue 65600
  6. ^ Dennis Group held steady The Times, 21 October 1998; pg. 28; Issue 66338
  7. ^ Joint venture for Henlys and Mayflower The Times 2 August 2000; pg.
  8. ^ Companion to Road Passenger Transport History. Walsall: Roads & Road Transport History Association. 2013. pp. 38/39. ISBN 9780955287633.
  9. ^ "TRANSBUS INTERNATIONAL PLC PROPOSED PLAXTON FACTORY CLOSURE". UK Parliament. 8 May 2001. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  10. ^ Mayflower to lose 700 jobs The Times 4 May 2001; pg. 24; issue 67130
  11. ^ "Relief as 200 jobs salvaged at threatened works". The Northern Echo. Newsquest Media Group. 29 June 2001. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  12. ^ Offers made to take helm of the foundering Mayflower The Times 15 March 2004; pg. 23; issue 68023
  13. ^ Engineering The Times 19 April 2004; pg. 20; issue 68053
  14. ^ Most Dennis pension holders to get only 40% The Times 21 June 2004; pg. [19]; issue 68107
  15. ^ Managers buy Plaxton The Times 17 May 2004; pg. [19]; issue 68077
  16. ^ "MBO heralds TransBus deal by end of this week". The Scotsman. JPIMedia Publishing. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  17. ^ Mayflower chiefs 'may be liable for pension hole'. The Times, 22 May 2004; pg. 54; Issue 68082
  18. ^ "Completed acquisition by Alexander Dennis Limited of Transbus Ltd" (PDF). Office of Fair Trading. 23 September 2004. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  19. ^ Sir Angus jumps the bus Sunday Herald 26 December 2004
  20. ^ Kemp, Kenny (29 May 2019). "Scotland's £7.5m of good faith invested in Alexander Dennis". Insider. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  21. ^ a b c "Our History". Alexander Dennis. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  22. ^ Taylor, James (31 August 2013). A-Z of British Bus Bodies. ISBN 9781847976390. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  23. ^ a b Goundry, Andy (6 October 2013). "Whatever Happened To Dennis Fire Engines?". AutoNews. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  24. ^ Macdonald, Corinne (12 August 2019). "Plaxton stages coach rally and raises £1,800 for charity". The Scarborough News. JPIMedia Publishing. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  25. ^ Harrison, Matt (15 May 2018). "5 modern British bus designs that have stood the test of time". Transport Designed. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  26. ^ "Plaxton bought by ADL". Bus & Coach Professional. Plum Publishing. 14 May 2007. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Alexander Dennis buys Plaxton". The Herald. Newsquest Media Group. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Alexander Dennis signs deal to build buses for US market". The Herald. Newsquest Media Group. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  29. ^ 120 Enviro200s on the way to New Zealand Bus & Coach Professional 11 January 2011
  30. ^ Enviro buses roll into town Bay of Plenty Times 27 June 2011
  31. ^ "New Flyer In Bus Joint Venture". Diesel Progress. 10 May 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  32. ^ "ADL aims for North American growth". Bus and Coach. Plum Publishing. 11 May 2012. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  33. ^ Enviro200 joint venture terminates Buses issue 748 July 2017 page 21
  34. ^ "Bus firm Alexander Dennis in major Australian deal". BBC News. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Consortium buys Custom Coaches". Coach & Bus Week. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  36. ^ Burgess buys back Custom Coaches Australasian Bus & Coach 18 August 2014
  37. ^ Kalinowski, Tess (3 February 2016). "GO double-deckers to roll out of Vaughan plant". The Star. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  38. ^ World News Buses Worldwide issue 201 April 2016 page 44
  39. ^ Falkirk-based Alexander Dennis signs bus deal with China's BYD BBC News 22 October 2015
  40. ^ BYD ADL partnership accelerates electrification with the design and assembly of electric bus chassis in the UK Alexander Dennis 11 January 2021
  41. ^ Souter Investments Completes Sale of Alexander Dennis Limited to NFI Group Souter Investments 28 May 2019
  42. ^ Murden, Terry (28 May 2019). "Alexander Dennis sold to North America firm NFI". Daily Business. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  43. ^ "Alexander Dennis sold to Canadian firm for £320m". BBC News. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  44. ^ Reilly, Jonathon (20 August 2020). "Union claims Camelon bus firm used pandemic as 'cover' to cut 650 jobs". Falkirk Herald. JPIMedia Publishing. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  45. ^ Peat, Chris (20 August 2020). "ADL to move chassis production to Falkirk". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  46. ^ Enviro chassis production moves to Falkirk Buses issue 787 October 2020 page 8
  47. ^ "Leading global bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis sets up permanent base in Ballymena". Love Ballymena. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  48. ^ Williams, Mark (19 July 2021). "ADL to open new 'centre of excellence' honouring Dennis heritage". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  49. ^ "UK heritage centre and Australian partnership for ADL". Coach & Bus Week. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  50. ^ Glover, John (25 April 2022). "Stagecoach begins live-testing of self-driving buses on Scottish roads". Business Insider. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  51. ^ "New facility (Trident House) and new brand identity for Alexander Dennis". Sustainable Bus. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  52. ^ Crawford, Alex (15 June 2022). "Alexander Dennis 'looking ahead' with brand identity refresh". Routeone. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  53. ^ Peat, Chris (6 April 2023). "ADL to expand Larbert facility". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  54. ^ a b c "New Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV and Enviro100EV feature next-generation electric driveline and future-proof battery system | Alexander Dennis". www.alexander-dennis.com. Retrieved 3 November 2022.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alexander Dennis.
  • Official website
  • BUSRide article on TransBus International, with details of its collapse
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