5 Questions with David Wright of Forest River Bus on Guiding Collins into the Future

In January, REV Group announced that it was getting out of the school bus manufacturing business with its sale of Collins Bus – a mainstay of the Type A bus market – to Forest River Bus.

David Wright is president of commercial vehicles for Forest River, which is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. He joined Forest River in 2002 after a career in the automotive industry.

Born and raised in upstate New York, he now lives in Goshen, Ind., with his wife of 34 years. They’ve got six children and six grandchildren.

Wright recently took the time to answer five questions from School Bus Fleet:

What strategic goals led Forest River to acquire Collins Bus and how does this acquisition align with Forest River’s overall mission and vision?

Wright: Forest River acquired Collins Bus because it is considered the best Type A school bus brand in the industry, known for its innovation, stability, and excellent reputation. This acquisition aligns with Forest River's mission to expand its market presence and offer top-quality products to customers.

How does Forest River plan to leverage the expertise and legacy of Collins Bus to provide continued value to customers and stakeholders?

Wright: By maintaining the quality, warranty, and product consistency that Collins is known for. We aim to support Collins in growing its business and access to chassis, ensuring stability and excellence in its operations.

Can you elaborate on any specific plans or initiatives Forest River has in place to integrate the Collins team into the existing operations and company culture?

Wright: Forest River intends to integrate the Collins team into its existing operations and company culture by providing management support and insight while allowing Collins's management team to make decisions autonomously. There are no predetermined plans for significant changes, but Forest River will continue to support Collins in workforce growth and supply chain management.

Given the technological advancements and sustainability trends in the automotive industry, how does Forest River envision incorporating innovation and environmental considerations into the production and development of Type A school buses?

Wright: Forest River envisions incorporating innovation and environmental considerations into the production and development of Type A school buses by focusing on market demands and working closely with OEM chassis manufacturers.

What changes to Forest River’s market presence are expected with the acquisition of Collins Bus?

Wright: With the acquisition of Collins Bus, Forest River expects to strengthen its market presence in the Type A school bus segment. While there may be some adjustments to the dealer network due to supply considerations, Forest River will maintain Collins's reputation and product quality while supporting its growth and success within the industry.