Bus And Coach Builder Alexander Dennis Bought Out By North American Firm For £320m

Published on: 2 Jun, 2019
Updated on: 4 Jun, 2019

Renowned bus and coach builder Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), with its chassis plant in Guildford, has been bought by another leading manufacturer, North America’s NFI Group Inc (NFI), for £320 million.

Alexander Dennis’ chassis plant at Slyfield Green, Guildford.

It is the latest development in the firm’s history with the key Guildford theme being its origins as Dennis Bros, the iconic specialist vehicle manufacturer that over 100 years has employed thousands of local people.

As reported on ADL’s website, it will retain its own brand and chief executive Colin Robertson, “who has led the growth and internationalisation of the company over more than 10 years, and chief financial officer Michael Stewart will continue to lead ADL. They will also be tasked with driving NFI’s international growth ambitions”.

Alexander Dennis will retain its own brand following the take over.

ADL has become a global leader as an independent bus and coach manufacturer with its Alexander Dennis single- and double-decker buses and Plaxton coaches.

Its HQ is in Falkirk, Scotland, and employs more than 2,500 staff, boasting more than 31,000 vehicles in service and operations in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada and the United States.

NFI is reported by ADL to be “North America’s largest and most diversified bus manufacturer providing market leading transportation solutions. With over 6,300 team members, operating from facilities across Canada and the United States, NFI provides accessible mass transportation solutions under the brands: New Flyer (heavy-duty transit buses), ARBOC (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), MCI (motor coaches), and NFI Parts (parts, support and service).

Less than a month ago, on May 11, ADL opened its factory at Slyfield Green to the public, who were given access to see inside the plant. Outside were buses and vehicles new and old, celebrating the Dennis name and more than 120 years of motor-vehicle innovation in Guildford.