Pelican invests further as 1,000th Yutong sale is in sight
Pelican Bus and Coach has further expanded its aftersales support for the Yutong brand. It has opened a 12,000ft2 national parts distribution centre close to its existing facilities in West Yorkshire and appointed Sam Williams to the role of Yutong Bus and Coach Parts Operations Manager as it homes in on achieving the marque’s 1,000th UK sale.
Mr Williams brings what the dealership describes as “a wealth of experience of managing multi-site parts operations.” He is charged with optimising the parts stockholding and distribution function to maximise customer satisfaction and he will be visiting Yutong customers nationwide from September.
The new parts distribution centre is equipped with twin-level racking. That will allow it to stock sufficient parts to support all types of Yutong coaches and buses in service in the UK, and particularly its battery-electric range.
Developments in parts management for Pelican come as the business reports a 70% increase in turnover to £73m for the year ending 31 March. It has seen growth across all of its business areas, and describes interest in zero-emission coaches and buses as “fast growing… from all sections of the industry.” Sales of diesel coaches are also recovering well post-COVID-19.
By the end of 2022, there will be 240 battery-electric Yutong coaches and buses in service in the UK. Head of Pelican Yutong Bus Ian Downie notes that the dealership is “focused on growing our range and services to the UK’s coach operators, who have shown that they are keen to adopt the latest technology, adding greener and more efficient alternatives to their fleets.”
Pelican Managing Director Richard Crump (pictured, right) says that the milestone 1,000th Yutong sale is expected in early 2023.
“After the disruption of the last two years, we are seeing all parts of the business recovering well and we will be reinvesting our increases revenues in plant, resources and people to better support our customers into the future.”
Mr Downie adds that a “strong pipeline” of orders from both new and repeat customers for battery-electric vehicles is in hand for Pelican.
In coach, the dealership is seeing growing interest in Yutong products, says Coach Sales Manager Simon Collins. The sector “is demonstrating its resilience with increased orders and enquiries for our diesel and electric coach range, such as the market leading TC9," he explains.
“Our expanded sales force, including Amelia Crump, the fourth generation of the Crump family, is continually working with our customers on additional business.”
Camira celebrates partnership with TfL in new short film
Transport textile manufacturer Camira has produced a short film to celebrate its long running partnership with Transport for London (TfL).
The video comes as part of its ongoing series telling the story of its 200 years of heritage. It features an interview with Paul Marchant, Head of Product Design at TfL, who provides insight into why TfL has enjoyed a lasting relationship - over 100 years - with the textile manufacturer.
"The reason why we still use moquette, first and foremost, it's a London identity now," says Mr Marchant. "And I think that's a very powerful thing.
"The reason why we choose it: It's hardwearing, it absorbs sound, it's fire compliant, it's always the next moquette is actually my favourite."
The collaboration between TfL and Camira has seen the launch of textiles which have seen been "ensconced in the transport hall of fame" and feature designs by Edith Marx, Marianne Straub, and Wallace Sewell, responsible for fabric featured on the new Elizabeth Line.
In the film, Transport Creative Manager at Camira Ciara Crossan points to a positive future for the two brands: "The relationship with TfL is both collaborative and creative. we work together to create truly iconic designs that are known and loved across the globe.
"The future looks really bright between TfL and Camira. We're working on a number of different projects in the pipeline - so let's see what the next 200 years brings."
Celebrating 30 Years of Mistral Group
This summer, Mistral Group celebrates its thirtieth year of business. From its roots as a small-scale Cheshire bus operator, the business has grown into a nationally recognised market leading brand in the industry, offering financing, rental and sales of new and used buses to a wide range of clients across the UK.
Through a strategy of consistent year on year growth, combined with a strong depth of knowledge and industry expertise, Mistral has remained at the forefront of the market, managing the challenges presented by the recent pandemic and now looking to move forward dynamically towards the rapidly developing industry changes.
Mistral pride themselves on a culture of customer service, repeat business and a wide-ranging offering designed to assist their nationwide customer base with all their fleet upgrade needs.
Looking into the near future, and especially towards the era of zero-emission technology, the team at Mistral are excited to be able to spearhead a new generation of products, embracing every innovation as they look towards an evolving market of alternative fuels, electric and hydrogen buses.
Steve Low, Group Managing Director, comments:
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to see the business grow and develop to the level that it is at now. The industry in which we operate has undergone considerable change and it has been vital that we have kept up with the speed of innovation that has been experienced. Now more than ever we are on the cusp of another wave of change with the move towards a net zero transport system, and once again we are looking to lead the way in finding innovative ways to get this technology cost effectively into the hands of operators around the country.”
Adds Martyn Bellis, Sales Director:
“When I re-joined Mistral in late 2021 it was clear that there had been significant growth & development since I last worked for the business some 8 years earlier, I’m excited to be part of the on-going evolution of the business as it transitions with the industry to zero emission, we grow our rental fleet, continue to support customers with rental & asset finance solutions, and diversify into new complimentary markets. The business benefits from an enthusiastic & experienced sales & support team ready to take Mistral on to the next stage of its journey.”
Simon Fawcett, Mistral Group’s founder, comments:
“What a journey we have had! It is incredible to see how times have changed since I was a small bus operator, and I saw an opportunity in the market to become a supplier to the industry. It has been a big learning curve and I have been blessed by a brilliant team of people around me, who have dedicated such a lot of time, energy and real expertise to our business; they have dreamt up ideas that we have been able to put into practise, become bus spotters and industry nerds, and above all poured their enthusiasm into everything that we have achieved so far. Just as the last few years have presented us with issues that we had never anticipated, the next few years are set to bring us many more exciting challenges and we look forward eagerly to see where the new advances in the industry will take us.
It would also be impossible for us to celebrate this milestone without not just celebrating the staff but by thanking all our customers, partners, and suppliers who have played a part in the journey which has brought Mistral to where we are today – we are extremely grateful. Here’s to a solid, strong and fruitful next 30 years!”