BLUE BIRD CORPORATION TO SELL COACHWORKS COACH AND RV PRODUCT LINES TO COMPLETE COACH WORKS
FORT VALLEY, GA (July 16, 2007) -Blue Bird Corporation today announced a definitive agreement to sell its Coachworks Coach and Wanderlodge RV product lines and manufacturing facility to Complete Coach Works of Riverside, California. The transaction is part of Blue Bird’s long-term strategy refocusing the company exclusively on the school bus market.
“The sale of Blue Bird Coachworks to Complete Coach Works marks the end of our initial product line rationalization plan,” said Bob Shaughnessy, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Bird. “This transaction represents an important step toward returning Blue Bird to its roots as the nation’s premier school bus manufacturer.” Shaughnessy also expressed his satisfaction that as part of the new agreement, Complete Coach Works will remain economically committed to the Fort Valley and Central Georgia communities.
The sale of Blue Bird’s remaining non-school bus lines represents yet another key element of the corporate strategy being implemented by Blue Bird. Earlier this fiscal year, Blue Bird’s transit bus products (Ultra LF and Xcel 102) became part of affiliated transit bus manufacturer North American Bus Industries, Inc. (NABI) and their manufacture was moved to NABI’s Anniston, Alabama facilities.
“Today’s divestiture is foundational to our overall business strategy,” said Mike Horne, Chief Restructuring Officer at Blue Bird. “Having already moved Blue Bird’s transit bus operations to NABI earlier this year, this sale was one of the final pieces of our plan to refocus Blue Bird on its core school bus competency.”
The Blue Bird Coachworks line currently includes the 40 and 45-foot Express Commuter Coach models, while Blue Bird’s Wanderlodge line (one of the nation’s oldest luxury motor coach brand names) includes the 450LXi and M380 vehicles. During the transition period, Blue Bird and Complete Coach Works will work closely to ensure the continued satisfaction of its current customer base, including ongoing parts and service support.
Complete Coach Works is the nation's largest supplier of remanufactured transportation vehicles, repowers, emission upgrades and wheelchair lift retrofits. Coach Works brings over 20 years of expertise dedicated to serving the transit industry. According to Dale Carson, President and CEO of Complete Coach Works, the acquisition “represents a perfect fit and will provide an opportunity for the expansion of our operations to the Southeast. We look forward to our long term association with the Fort Valley community and continuing to be a vital part of their economic foundation.”
Blue Bird Corporation offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses. All Blue Bird buses provide a variety of options and configurations with seating capacities from 10 to 90 passengers. 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.
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