ST. CLOUD, MN, Oct. 10, 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, today announced that its
Anniston, AL Vehicle Innovation
Center ("VIC"), will open on October 12,
2017 .
The 36-acre, five-building campus is now home to the new VIC,
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. The VIC
will officially open on Thursday, October
12 with a grand opening ceremony that immediately follows
the conclusion of the American Public Transportation Association's
tri-annual EXPO being held in Atlanta,
Georgia.
The VIC mandate includes research, development, and evolution of
electric, autonomous and telematics technologies. The VIC was
created by New Flyer in partnership with North America's leading motor coach OEM -
Motor Coach Industries Inc. ("MCI"), also a subsidiary of the NFI
Group, and delivers on the Company's commitment to investing in
U.S. innovation, jobs, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
"Developing safe and sustainable bus technology that Americans
can rely on is a key driver behind our investment to create the
Vehicle Innovation Center," said Wayne
Joseph, President of New Flyer of America. "By leveraging 50
years of experience in zero-emission bus manufacturing, we look
forward to advancing our industry with transit solutions that help
preserve the environment while contributing to the development of
smart, connected cities."
NFI Group has already invested US $4.1
million to create the VIC, and expects to invest an
additional USD $5 million in
developing its electric-bus manufacturing program. The investment,
which is in addition to an ongoing US $25
million expansion of the Anniston facility, was supported by the
City of Anniston, State of Alabama, and Alabama Power ("Southern
Company").
Establishment of the VIC also includes development of an
advisory group comprised of industry leaders that will be announced
shortly. Through ongoing delivery of interactive experiences and
collaboration with industry leaders, the VIC will feature a
world-class manufacturing lab, exhibit space, and training areas
to:
- Explore and advance bus and coach technology through
sustainable research and development, fresh innovation, progressive
manufacturing, and bold thinking;
- Foster dialogue through discussion, education, and training on
the latest zero-emission and autonomous driving vehicle
technologies;
- Engage learning through current and interactive exhibits,
simulation and hands-on experiences, and observations;
- Generate energy and commitment to clean air quality, safety,
and economic benefits for people, communities, and business;
and
- Harness the positive influence of collaboration, environmental
stewardship, and social change to advance mobility solutions.
New Flyer, MCI and numerous industry partners have contributed
interactive learning experiences that highlight electric and
autonomous vehicle technologies. Partners of the VIC confirmed to
date 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.
The Anniston, Alabama campus,
acquired by New Flyer of America in 2013, manufactures transit
buses from high-strength steel frames and currently employs
approximately 630 people. In 2015, New Flyer invested USD
$20 million to transform the campus
into a world-class manufacturing facility capable of producing New
Flyer's Xcelsior® heavy-duty buses. The 2017-2018
expansion will add approximately 76,000 square feet, increasing
Anniston campus space to nearly
380,000 square feet.
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 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 market and general economic
conditions and economic conditions of and funding availability for
customers to purchase buses and to purchase parts or services,
customers may not exercise options to purchase additional buses,
the ability of customers to suspend or terminate contracts for
convenience and the other 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, the 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 of America Inc.