Alexander Dennis to turn Larbert site (Scotland) in order to manufacture the new in-house e-bus range

Alexander Dennis has plans to expand its Larbert head office and warehouse facility into a manufacturing site for the future, in order to increasing zero-emission manufacturing capability

Being more specific, Larbert site (roughly between Glasgow and Edinburgh) will focus on the production of the new Enviro400EV zero-emission bus from August 2023, assembling the next-generation body on the new Alexander Dennis battery-electric chassis. The decision follows a successful pilot programme to build Enviro400FCEV hydrogen fuel cell buses in Larbert, the manufacturer says.

Alexander Dennis to build zero emission buses in Lambert

The move expands Alexander Dennis’s UK manufacturing footprint from two to three production sites. The Larbert expansion, which converts existing warehouse space into production lines, “supports the company’s 690+ green manufacturing jobs in Scotland”, ADL says.

The Enviro400EV double deck that will be assembled at Larbert has been designed to move large numbers of people on busy urban corridors and interurban expresses with a total capacity of up to 96 passengers and an operational range of up to 260 miles on a single charge. Voith and Impact have been chosen as supplier partners for the new e-bus family, announced in mid-2022.

Works are underway in Alexander Dennis Larbert site

The Alexander Dennis head office remains at Larbert and “work has already been completed to revamp the site’s office space to equip it for its future as a flexible environment that brings together key business teams and maximises utilisation under the hybrid working arrangements that are now standard across Alexander Dennis. The changes in Larbert are part of a company-wide modernisation journey that started with the opening of the new Farnborough facility in 2022 and which will continue in coming years as further members of the next generation of zero-emission buses are added to the Alexander Dennis portfolio”, the manufacturer explains.

Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director Paul Davies said: “Over the past couple of years we have been laser focused on a modernisation agenda, underpinned by significant investment in our people, our products and our facilities. We not only need to future-proof our manufacturing capabilities for the ZEvolution but we also need to ensure that we create the best possible working environment in which our people can excel. This is another step on our Alexander Dennis journey to build a sustainable company for the future, with zero-emission buses being at the core of the repurposed and upgraded Larbert site.

Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish Secretary, said: “Unite warmly welcomes the announcement by Alexander Dennis to manufacture the next-generation Enviro400EV zero-emission buses and for the Larbert site to be upgraded to enable this exciting expansion. It is a great vote of confidence in Alexander Dennis’ world-class workforce and it helps to sustain hundreds of jobs in the local economy. Unite is pleased to play our full role in helping to firmly establish the company as a market leader in the manufacturing of green buses and to assisting with increasing global demand in order to meet the challenges associated with the decarbonisation of public transport.”

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “Alexander Dennis is a world class leader in bus production and this announcement reinforces their position as a key employer in the Falkirk area. Their modernisation and adaptation to changing markets shows how they are at the forefront of their industry, and we are proud to have them based in our area providing employment and investment opportunities in the coming years.”