A Classic Day Out

[markw]

Oddly Wrights are probably the only firm that hasn't owned Plaxton at some stage in the past ten years. Having been independant for nearly 100 years, they bought the Henlys group in 1989, who expanded by buying Northern Counties coachbuilders, and by 2000 they formed a joint venture with Alexander and Dennis to create TransBus. When the parent company of Alexander and Dennis failed, Plaxton re-emerged as an independant company, whilst the Alexander-Dennis parts of the firm were bought by a new consortium including Mr and Mrs Stagecoach (Brian Souter and Ann Gloag). In 2007, Plaxton was bought by Alexander-Dennis once again!

Wrights on the other hand have just grown from a small builder of ambulances and welfare buses to a major international player (selling their buses in the US for example) by being one of the first to develop an affordable, stylish flat floor body for the British market, then continually developing their products with cutting edge design and innovation. Whilst not everything Wrights turn out is a complete success (the gas turbine-electric hybrid seems to have died a death and their disabled-accessible long distance coach hasn't attracted many orders) the turn around of the firm has been phenomenal and shows that not only a family owned business can become a major player, but manufacturing in Northern Ireland remains important.

Enjoyed the pictures, DCK 219, the Ribble White Lady shown has recently been bought by Brian Souter of Stagecoach, but before he bought it I was lucky enough to get a chance to ride on it and it is superb. It's great to be able to sample older buses in service and it's worth keeping an eye out for operating days or rallies in your area.

[VEGAS]

Lovely snaps Eric.

Thank you for sharing.

[TSR2]

Oddly Wrights are probably the only firm that hasn't owned Plaxton at some stage in the past ten years.

Hi Mark, my mistake, your correct. I heard that Wrights were building in the Mainland UK these days, and just assumed they had bought someone. Is this not the case?

The technology they used which really helped them make their mark was called Aluswiss, the same way McDonalds drive through resturants where made, although I know Aluswiss is a brand name, I'm not sure if they adapted this this or they do actually use some patented construction technique.

[markw]

As far as I'm aware all Wrights production is still over in Ballymena. Although they started out using the Alusuisse patent assembly process, they are now claiming to use their own patented bolted aluminium body called "Aluminique" although just what the difference is I'm not sure!