Blanchard Machinery joins the Blue Bird Dealership Network
COLUMBIA, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
In a transaction that was completed on October 17, representation of
Blue Bird’s dealership agreement in the South Carolina market has now
been successfully transitioned from Palmetto Bus Sales to Blanchard
Machinery. Blanchard Machinery, with over 30 years of business
experience, will now sell and service Blue Bird school buses in the
State of South Carolina under their Blanchard Bus Centers division.
Palmetto Bus Sales of Gaston, SC remains a commercial bus dealer
representing other bus manufacturers. While details of the transaction
were not disclosed, 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,” says Mark Terry, Chief Commercial Officer of Blue Bird
Corporation. “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, sees a great
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,” says Blanchard. “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 will sell and service Blue Bird under their Blanchard Bus
Centers brand. “We currently have seven locations fully equipped to
maintain and repair school buses,” says Blanchard. “It is extremely
important that buses are kept running for our customers, and this is a
top priority for us. We believe school bus customers in South Carolina
will take notice of our fast, reliable service and easy parts
distribution.”
Blanchard Bus Centers have over seven locations across the State of
South Carolina. You can find them online at www.BlanchardPowerSystems.com/locations.aspx.
About Blue Bird Corporation:Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) is the
leading independent designer and manufacturer of school buses, with more
than 550,000 buses sold since its formation in 1927 and approximately
180,000 buses in operation today. Blue Bird’s longevity and reputation
in the school bus industry have made it an iconic American brand. Blue
Bird distinguishes itself from its principal competitors by its singular
focus on the design, engineering, manufacture and sale of school buses
and related parts. As the only manufacturer of chassis and body
production specifically designed for school bus applications, Blue Bird
is recognized as an industry leader for school bus innovation, safety,
product quality/reliability/durability, operating costs and drivability.
In addition, Blue Bird is the market leader in alternative fuel
applications with its propane-powered and compressed natural gas-powered
school buses. Blue Bird manufactures school buses at two facilities in
Fort Valley, Georgia. Its Micro Bird joint venture operates a
manufacturing facility in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada. Service and
after-market parts are distributed from Blue Bird’s parts distribution
center located in Delaware, Ohio. For more information on Blue Bird’s
complete line of buses, visit www.blue-bird.com.
About Blanchard Machinery:Blanchard Machinery Company has been
supplying South Carolina customers with earthmoving machines, engine
services and power generation equipment since 1982. The family owned
company, led by Joe Blanchard, has established retail and rental stores
throughout the state which offer a wide range of brands of equipment,
from full-sized bulldozers to small machine parts, and is South
Carolina’s official Blue Bird school bus dealer. Blanchard Machinery has
13 total locations
throughout the state representing three major groups: Machine, Power
Systems and Peninsula Equipment. For more information about Blanchard
Machinery, visit http://www.BlanchardMachinery.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161214005782/en/
Blue Bird Corporation
Justyne Lobello, 478-822-2763
[email protected]
Source: Blue Bird Corporation