IN FOCUS
VOLGREN 2,000TH BUS
VOLGREN PERTH DELIVERS 2,000TH BUS Local manufacturing is alive and well in Western Australia’s capital city with Volgren’s 2,000th vehicle constructed at the company’s purpose-built manufacturing and service facility in Malaga, recently.
V
olgren, Australia’s largest bus body builder, supplied the low-floor Optimus city bus, which typifies close to 1,800 of those buses delivered to the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA) over two decades, it says. Regional sales and contract manager for Volgren Perth, Peter McCrory, says that they have become an important cog in the local economy. “More than 60 people are currently employed at Malaga, of which nine employees worked on the very first bus delivered to PTA in 1999,” he explained. “Our association with PTA is the longest bus supply agreement in the country and 28
one that we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a partnership that’s seen roughly two vehicles built per week for 21 years.” McCrory says Volgren is committed to investing in the state’s skilled workforce – and since its last contract was awarded in 2018 it has increased local fabrications. “The Covid-19 pandemic has reminded Australians of the importance of being able to manufacture a full range of essential equipment and supplies in our own backyard – and the value of geographically close supply chains,” McCrory stated. “Our buses for PTA are built with 85 per cent local (Australian) content, of which over half of materials and services comes from WA suppliers.
“We recently completed a project to bring a large amount of aluminium and steel fabrication from a supplier close to our head office in Victoria to Perth. “In time we hope to create a strong and sustainable local supply chain around the Malaga precinct,” he added. “Volgren Perth directly supports over 100 local businesses and indirectly supports another 29. We are currently spending approximately $7m a year with these suppliers and helping to support 150 jobs in the WA economy outside of Volgren.”
BETTER BUSES McCrory says local production and products aren’t just good for jobs – they
ABC December 2020 busnews.com.au
ABC_400_28-29_InFocus_Volgren FC.indd 28
8/12/2020 2:58:33 PM
