ST. CLOUD, MN, Oct. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), the U.S. subsidiary of New Flyer
Industries Inc. ("NFI Group"), the largest transit bus and motor
coach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, opened its doors last week to
the new 30,000 square foot Vehicle Innovation Center ("VIC"),
America's first innovation lab for advanced bus technology. U.S.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator
Jane Williams, along with several
elected officials and industry leaders, delivered remarks at the
grand opening ribbon cutting celebration in Anniston, Alabama on October 12 where more than 125 New Flyer
customers, suppliers and team members were invited to tour the
VIC's state of the art manufacturing lab, virtual reality learning
spaces, driving simulators, and other interactive exhibits.
"The collaboration between New Flyer, the City of Anniston, and the State of Alabama is a shining example of the
power of public private partnerships, which is a key component of
U.S. Transportation Secretary Chao's Innovation Agenda," said Ms.
Williams. "We continue to embrace new technologies that will boost
our economy and make our transportation safer and more efficient,
and I am confident this facility will bolster the transit industry
for years to come."
"At New Flyer, we're not waiting for the future to happen, we
are shaping it," said Paul Soubry,
Chief Executive Officer of the NFI Group. "The VIC is not a museum
for technology; instead, it is a dynamic, interactive, and
progressive place where we can learn, share and work together to
drive American public transportation innovation."
Newly appointed Chair of the American Public Transportation
Association (APTA) Nathaniel P. Ford
Sr., also delivered remarks: "Our industry is facing the
most significant transformation we have seen in generations. As our
customers' needs continue to evolve, we too must evolve with them,
offering real, sustainable solutions that foster growth. The
Vehicle Innovation Center is not just a vital resource for public
transportation, it is also an economic catalyst for our
nation."
"New Flyer of America is building on our 87 year legacy of
innovation to deliver disruptive transit technology that meets the
complex demands of America's growing communities today and into the
future," said Wayne Joseph,
President of New Flyer of America. "The VIC is our latest
investment in delivering safe, efficient, comfortable and
sustainable bus technology that Americans can rely on."
The VIC is North America's
first innovation lab dedicated to the advancement of bus and coach
technology that connects people to places, with a focus on the
environment and sustainable transportation. It will feature
advanced research and development capabilities that will evolve
electric, autonomous and telematic technologies for bus
transit.
"Anniston is being placed
squarely on the map for innovation and technology, and New Flyer is
a key part of that," said Mayor Jack
Draper. "I applaud New Flyer for its bold commitment to
research and development that will further advance public
transportation, which so many Americans depend on."
The VIC was created by New Flyer in partnership with Motor Coach
Industries Inc. ("MCI"), also a subsidiary of the NFI Group, to
deliver on NFI Group's commitment to investing in U.S. innovation,
jobs, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
VIC official partners include Siemens, ABB, XALT Energy, A123
Systems, Parker/Vansco, Valeo (Spheros), Vapor Bus International
(WABTEC), Powerex Inc., Ballard Power Systems, Hydrogenics,
ChargePoint, Thermo King, EMP,
Center for Transportation and the Environment, CALSTART, and
Alabama Power. Over the next two years, NFI Group will invest more
than US $9.1 million to advance its
electric-bus manufacturing program. This will complement the USD
$25 million 36-acre Anniston campus facility expansion, which was
supported by NFI Group, the City of
Anniston, State of Alabama,
and Alabama Power.
NFI Group has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing
zero-emission buses (ZEBs) and employs more American workers than
any other transit bus manufacturer in North America.
About NFI Group
NFI Group is the largest transit bus and motor coach
manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, with 31 fabrication,
manufacturing, distribution, and service centers across
Canada and the U.S. employing over
5,800 team members.
It is North America's
heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the largest transit bus
product line under the brand Xcelsior®, incorporating
the broadest range of drive systems available, including: clean
diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, trolley-electric, and
battery-electric. NFI Group actively supports over 44,000
heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in
service, of which 6,400 are powered by electric and battery
propulsion.
NFI Group is also North
America's motor coach market leader offering the Motor Coach
Industries Inc. (MCI) J-Series, the industry's best-selling
intercity coach for 11 consecutive years, and the MCI D-Series, the
industry's best-selling motor coach line in North American history.
MCI is also the exclusive distributor of Daimler's Setra S 417 and
S 407 motor coaches in the United
States and Canada. MCI
actively supports over 28,000 coaches currently in service.
NFI Group also operates North
America's most comprehensive parts organization, NFI Parts™,
providing parts, technical publications, training, and support for
its OEM product lines (transit buses and motor coaches). All buses
and coaches are also supported by an industry-leading comprehensive
warranty, service, and support network.
Further information is available on NFI Group websites at
www.newflyer.com and www.mcicoach.com. The common shares of the NFI
Group are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
relating to expected future events and financial and operating
results of the NFI Group that involve risks and uncertainties.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press
release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable
assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will
be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the
differences may be material. Actual results may differ materially
from management expectations as projected in such forward-looking
statements for a variety of reasons, including those risks and
uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian
securities regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com. Due to the potential impact of these factors, NFI
Group disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.
SOURCE New Flyer Industries Inc.