BLUE BIRD CORPORATION TO RELOCATE MICRO BIRD PRODUCTION
FORT VALLEY, GA (May 8, 2007) -The Blue Bird Corporation announced today that it will be relocating production of its Micro Bird Type A bus line from Brantford, Ontario to Fort Valley, Georgia. As a result of this difficult decision, Blue Bird will close its Canadian facility, Canadian Blue Bird Coach, Ltd., effective August 10, 2007.
Blue Bird’s Canadian operations were established in 1958 and have produced quality bus products for the past 49 years. More recently, the Canadian plant has been dedicated to Micro Bird manufacturing. Tony Kerwin, General Manager of Canadian Blue Bird Coach Ltd., emphasized that the company would implement an employee assistance program to help their Canadian workforce. “Our Canadian facility will finish its production in a manner that is consistent with the quality reputation it has earned. And in these difficult circumstances, Blue Bird is committed to dealing compassionately with our excellent employees.”
From a production standpoint, the relocation of Blue Bird’s Micro Bird product to Fort Valley will permit the company to centralize all of its school bus line production in Georgia, enabling significant new efficiencies, particularly in its areas of resource allocation and parts sourcing. The move will also locate the Micro Bird line adjacent to Blue Bird’s main engineering center at its Fort Valley headquarters, allowing for more efficient product change implementation.
During the past several months, Blue Bird has committed to steadily improving its manufacturing processes at its Fort Valley facility. These processes have not only led to greater efficiencies but have also provided the necessary floor space for the Micro Bird relocation. At the same time, Blue Bird will also expand production of its Vision Type C bus at Fort Valley. The expansion further supports the great success of the Vision product with the additional production capacity needed to respond to growing customer demand. “Providing customers with quality buses that meet their needs is Blue Bird’s primary priority,” said Bill Cooper, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Blue Bird. “Both the Micro Bird relocation and the expanded Vision line will enhance Blue Bird’s ability to supply this important service.”
About Blue Bird:
Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. For 80 years, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Blue Bird has an extensive network of dealers and service-parts facilities throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.blue-bird.com.
Contacts:
Canada:
Tony Kerwin
519-752-9700
United States:
Mike McCurdy
478-822-2008
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