Blue Bird reports financial strength, growth at dealer meetings

FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird Corp. recently held town hall-style dealer meetings in Dallas and Denver moderated by company President and CEO Greg Bennett, who provided financial outlook information and answered dealer questions.

The company reported strong sales in its last fiscal year, which ended in September 2008. Blue Bird’s manufacturing capabilities were also highlighted: Over 1,700 buses were delivered in one month in 2008. Moreover, the company received a record number of orders in March 2009 and has opened up previously unscheduled production capacity to meet demand.

“The levels of bus orders coming in now are encouraging,” Bennett said. “To be so booked at this point in the year is not a regular occurrence, and it signals positive movement in the industry and confidence in the Blue Bird product.”

In addition, Bennett answered questions regarding the company’s workforce, and said that with the industry market volume down approximately 30 percent, the company is being cautious with workforce adjustments to ensure its long-term competitiveness and strong position.

An overtime shift has been added at the company’s Lafayette, Ga., facility to adjust to the current market volume.

The meetings also provided a forum for dealers to ask questions on a variety of topics.