The exponential increase in the number of bus and coach registrations is fuelling growth in the sector.
Smith Brothers & Webb manufacturers of the world renowned Britannia Washing Systems is enjoying a huge surge of enquiries for both its Streamline and Strong washing systems with a number orders being placed from both the coach and bus market.
Successes include providing bespoke washing systems for high profile public transport initiatives in the UK such as the iconic Routemaster ‘Boris Bus’ in London as well as a number of other installations for coach and bus operators across the UK and worldwide including Hong Kong and Australia. The company’s ability to provide a full maintenance service is also proving to be particularly popular.
Smith Brothers & Webb dominates the bus and coach market within the UK and works with some of the largest fleet operators in the country including National Express, The Go Ahead Group and Stagecoach having installed nearly 2,000 washes. Additionally the company has its own team of engineers to ensure that machines installed continue to run smoothly year on year.
“It is a big growth sector and one which gave us a huge kick-start in the early part of 2015 with little sign of the trend slowing down”, said Andy Barracliffe, Director of Britannia Washing Systems.
“The coach and bus sector is one we are well placed to serve. In fact we have been working with the bus industry in particular for over 60 years so it is a market we know well.”
Much of the demand has been attributed to investment in new models, particularly in advance of the busy summer season although overall the sector as a whole is showing a strong increase in year to date volumes.
According to the SMMT in the coach sector alone new registrations were up by 14.2% in April with the bus sector slightly lagging behind at 12.7%. Year to date volumes have grown by 12.7% to 3,057 units with operators ordering 169 coaches and 228 buses. Purpose-built double deck bus demand also increased by 45.9%.
Certainly for Smith Brothers & Webb, which designs and manufacturers all of its machines from its base in Alcester, the year looks bright.
Andy Barracliffe, Director of Britannia Washing Systems, said: “The first quarter of 2015 has surpassed all of our expectations with much of the growth fuelled by the coach and bus market. Companies are attracted by our reputation for reliability, engineering excellence and level of quality coupled with the fact that we can provide bespoke washing solutions irrespective of the design underpinned by a service offering which is second to none. “
“This was evident in our early work with London United and The Go Ahead Group where existing washes had to be adjusted to accommodate the new Routemaster with bespoke systems now being manufactured and installed as demand has increased. “
Britannia has been designing and manufacturing its automated wash systems since 1969.
Each washing machine is designed to a customer’s specification and Britannia produces a range of drive-through and overhead gantry washing systems for buses and coaches as well as commercial vehicles, with a range of options including under-chassis wash and water recycling systems.
