FORT VALLEY, Ga. — On Monday, Blue Bird Corp. issued the following statement from Greg Bennett, president and CEO, regarding the financial strength of the company:

“We have been made aware of market rumors regarding the potential shutdown or liquidation of the company’s former coach division. Blue Bird Corp. sold the business unit in 2007 to focus our efforts on growing our school bus unit and catering solely to the needs of the school bus industry. As a result, we no longer have a financial connection with this unrelated business entity as it is a completely separate company. Blue Bird Corp. is as strong as ever and in excellent financial shape. For 82 years, Blue Bird Corp. has been developing, producing and refining the best and safest buses in the industry, and we continue to be confident in our growth prospects.”

Blue Bird offers Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. The manufacturer has more than 1,800 employees, three Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and a network of dealers and service-parts facilities throughout North America.