Volvo new parts centre backed by £24 million investment
Volvo Group has begun building a 91,000 sq ft regional distribution centre (RDC) in Coventry as part of a £24 million investment in its UK and Irish service network.
The manufacturer says the facility will improve parts availability, picking efficiency and first-time accuracy while providing additional capacity for its growing vehicle parc and expanding industrial and marine engine businesses.
The purpose-built warehouse at SEGRO Park Coventry will have the capacity to process more than 1,300,000 order lines annually and will support Volvo Buses, Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, and Volvo Penta. It is set to replace the group's existing parts operation in Rugby, with access to the new site planned for early 2027 and full operation anticipated within the second half of 2027. and w
Automated parts picking will be introduced in part of the warehouse, representing the first deployment of such technology at a Volvo Group warehouse in Europe. The building will also have a bespoke layout intended to streamline inbound and outbound goods movements, reducing delays. A second phase will see the introduction of dedicated battery storage facilities.
"The move to Coventry represents a significant investment in the future of our parts distribution network and a key milestone in supporting Volvo Group UK's continued growth," says Sabrina Loyer, General Manager, Service Operations & Technology, Volvo Group UK. “As customer expectations and operational demands evolve, it is essential that we invest in facilities that provide both the capacity and flexibility needed to support our long-term ambitions.”
Adds Peter Devos, Head of Service Operations Gent and Europe, Service Operations and Technology, Volvo Group: "RDC Coventry marks an important first step in developing our European service and distribution structure. It will strengthen our resilience and help us deliver even higher uptime for our customers, supporting Volvo Group's ambitious growth plans. I want to thank everyone involved for the great work so far, and I look forward to cutting the ribbon in 2027 together with our colleagues in the UK and Ireland."
Leicester City Council to purchase 10 more Yutong electric buses
Leicester City Council (LCC) has agreed to purchase a further 10 Yutong battery-electric buses for operation on contracted services by Centrebus.
Around £4 million of government funding will go to the procurement, with the latest Yutongs to sit alongside 24 that are already owned by the city council and in use with multiple operators on park-and-ride duties, the Hop! shuttle, and Hospital Hopper and Orbital routes.
Centrebus will use the latest arrivals on services 20, 24, 81, 83 and 162. By the end of 2026, operator members of the Leicester Buses Partnership will have around 200 battery-electric vehicles in service across that network.
Further growth will come beyond that, with 50 more joining Arriva by March 2027, and an additional 15 in 2028. At that point, the Leicester bus network will have transitioned to almost entirely electric operation.
LCC says that the latest Yutong purchase “is another major milestone in the Leicester Buses One Network Partnership,” which brings together the local authority and the city’s bus operators to deliver a simpler, more integrated network built around five customer promises: electric, frequent, reliable, easy, and great value.
That partnership is creating coordinated provision on around 30 main bus lines with common standards for vehicles, ticketing, information, branding, and customer experience.
Comments Assistant City Mayor (Environment and Transport) Cllr Geoff White: “This latest investment is another significant step towards delivering one of the cleanest and most modern bus networks in the country.
“Every new electric bus improves air quality, reduces carbon emissions, and provides a more comfortable journey for passengers. Together with our operational partners, we are creating a simpler, greener network that encourages more people to choose the bus.”
Pelican Bus and Coach will supply the 10 Yutong vehicles, with Head of Yutong UK Ian Downie noting that they will be delivered in Q1 2027.
Centrebus Managing Director David Brookes adds: “We are delighted to be introducing these new electric buses onto supported services across Leicester. They will provide a better experience for our customers while supporting the city’s ambitious environmental goals.”
Pelican breaks ground on new Yutong parts distribution centre
Members of Pelican Bus and Coach and Yutong have attended a ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on a new aftermarket parts warehouse.
The 40,000 sq ft National Parts Distribution Centre will hold more than £7.5 million of Yutong parts when it opens, with capacity to more than double its stockholding as the fleet grows.
The 12-metre high warehouse will include a large vehicle yard, Yutong-branded design features and space for further expansion. It has been designed to meet the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Excellent standard for environmental sustainability.
The Castleford business says the larger facility will improve parts availability, reduce vehicle downtime and strengthen its aftersales, while also creating skilled jobs in warehouse operations, logistics, inventory management and customer support.
It is intended to support more than 2,500 Yutong coaches and buses already in service across the UK and Ireland, with the fleet forecast to increase by approximately 1,000 vehicles annually. The arrival of Yutong electric trucks in the UK will place further demand on the Pelican parts and support network.
Chris Waine, Head of Aftermarket Parts, says: "This investment represents a major step forward in strengthening our aftersales operation and our commitment to delivering exceptional service for our customers.
"Our new warehouse will significantly increase our parts capacity, allow us to respond even faster to our customers’ requirements, future proof our parts operation, strengthen operational excellence and ensure we can continue to deliver the high levels of support and responsiveness our customers expect.
