COLUMBIA, S.C. — Blue Bird has a new dealer in South Carolina: Blanchard Machinery.

Representation of Blue Bird’s dealership agreement in the South Carolina market was transitioned from Palmetto Bus Sales to Blanchard. Details of the transaction, which was completed on Oct. 17, were not disclosed.

Blanchard Machinery, which has more than 30 years of business experience, will now sell and service Blue Bird school buses in South Carolina under its Blanchard Bus Centers division.

Palmetto Bus Sales, based in Gaston, South Carolina, remains a commercial bus dealer representing other manufacturers.

Blanchard was named the dealer concurrent with the sale and will step into parts and bus sales immediately, along with becoming certified for service capability on the complete line of Blue Bird buses and powertrains.

“We are excited about the addition of Blanchard Bus Center to our dealership team,” said Mark Terry, chief commercial officer of Blue Bird Corp. “With decades of sales and service experience satisfying customers, we feel confident that Blanchard’s facility network and energy around this new business relationship will translate into rewarding relationships with the customers of South Carolina.”

Joe Blanchard, president of Blanchard Machinery, said that he sees an opportunity to expand market share and deliver improved service and support to new and existing Blue Bird customers.

“Adding Blue Bird to our family of products and services was an easy decision,” Blanchard said. “Blue Bird has a history of creating a reliable, long-lasting product. This reflects our company’s commitment to delivering products and services that our customers can depend on long-term.”

Blanchard Bus Centers currently has seven locations equipped to maintain and repair school buses.

“It is extremely important that buses are kept running for our customers, and this is a top priority for us,” Joe Blanchard said. “We believe school bus customers in South Carolina will take notice of our fast, reliable service and easy parts distribution.”

For more information on Blanchard Bus Centers, go here.