Blue Bird names 2013 Dealer of the Year

FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird Corp. recently honored 34 dealers for exceptional sales and service performance throughout the year at its annual dealer meeting.

At the event in Clearwater Beach, Fla., A-Z Bus Sales of California and Hawaii took the top honors as the 2013 Blue Bird Dealer of the Year.

Officials said that throughout the past year, A-Z Bus Sales grew its already commanding market share and quadrupled its year-over-year propane bus sales, all while providing its customers with first-class customer service, parts support and training.

A-Z Bus Sales was also a recipient of the 2013 Propane Autogas Leadership award.

“Blue Bird and its dealers had a record-breaking year in 2013,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corp. “Blue Bird’s market share has continued to grow aggressively, and our dealers have been a driving factor in this success. We commend our award-winning dealers for their commitment to provide school districts and contractors across North America with the highest level of service and support. Blue Bird also congratulates A-Z Bus Sales on their achievement as our 2013 Blue Bird Dealer of the Year. This is a well-deserved honor for the A-Z Bus Sales team. They have been delivering outstanding performance for Blue Bird for over 25 years.”

“2013 was a strong year for A-Z Bus Sales,” added Jim Reynolds, CEO of A-Z Bus Sales, and five-year dealer representative on Blue Bird’s Dealer Advisory Council. “Our entire dealership team deserves recognition for the hard work and dedication required to achieve this honor.”

Other dealerships honored and awards presented during the dealer meeting included:

Best in Region Award Winners
• Northeast: Bird Bus Sales, New York City, Long Island, Lower Hudson Valley
• Southeast/Central: Yancey Bus Sales, Ga.
• Midwest: Holland Bus Co., Mich.
• West: A-Z Bus Sales, Calif. and Hawaii
• Canada/Northern Plains: Girardin Ontario, Ontario

Best in Bus Award Winners 
Northeast
• Bird Bus Sales: New York City, Long Island, Lower Hudson Valley
• Hoover Truck and Bus Centers: N.J.
• I.G. Burton and Co.: Del., Md., Washington, D.C.
• New York Bus Sales: upstate N.Y.    

Midwest
• Cardinal Bus Sales and Service: Ohio
• Central States Bus Sales: Mo.
• Holland Bus Co.: Mich.
• School Bus Sales Co.: Iowa

Southeast/Central
• Blue Bird Bus Sales of Pittsburgh: Pa.
• Burroughs Bus Sales: Miss.
• Busworx: Ala. 
• Florida Transportation Systems: Fla.
• Gregory Poole Equipment: N.C.
• Kansas Truck Equipment Co.: Kan.
• Ross Bus and Equipment Sales: La.
• Ross Transportation Inc.: Okla. 
• Yancey Bus Sales: Ga.    

West
• A-Z Bus Sales: Calif., Hawaii
• Blue Star Bus Sales: west Texas
• Bryson Sales & Service: Utah, Nev., Idaho 
• Canyon State Bus Sales: Ariz.
• Colorado/West Equipment: Colo.
• Western Bus Sales: Ore.

Canada/Northern Plains
• A. Girardin: Quebec
• Bus Sales of Saskatoon: Saskatchewan
• Elder Equipment: Wyo.
• Fairway Specialty Vehicles: Manitoba
• Girardin Ontario: Ontario
• North Central Bus Sales: Minn. and S.D.
• United Truck Body Co.: northeastern Minn.

Propane Autogas Leadership Award
• A-Z Bus Sales: Calif.
• Canyon State Bus Sales: Ariz.
• Central States Bus Sales: Mo.
• Rush Bus Centers: eastern Texas
• School Lines Inc.: Conn.
• Wisconsin Bus Sales: Wis.

Service Award
• 65 Years: I.G. Burton & Co.: Del., Md., Washington, D.C.
• 40 Years: Hartley’s School Buses: Mont., N.D.
• 30 Years: Fairway Specialty Vehicles: Manitoba; and Florida Transportation Systems: Fla.
• 10 Years: New York Bus Sales: upstate N.Y.
• 5 Years: Rush Bus Centers: east Texas