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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

New Flyer of America Opens Anniston, Alabama, Vehicle Innovation Center

10/12/2017
New Flyer of America Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc., the largest transit bus and motorcoach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America, reported its Innovation Center will open on October 12th in Anniston, Alabama.

The 36-acre, five-building campus is now home to the new VIC, North America's first innovation lab dedicated to the advancement of bus and coach technology that connects people to places with a focus on the environment.

The VIC mandate includes research, development, and evolution of electric, autonomous and telematics technologies. The VIC was created by New Flyer in partnership with North America's leading motor coach OEM - Motor Coach Industries Inc., also a subsidiary of the NFI Group, and delivers on the Company's commitment to investing in U.S. innovation, jobs, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

"Developing safe and sustainable bus technology that Americans can rely on is a key driver behind our investment to create the Vehicle Innovation Center," said Wayne Joseph, President of New Flyer of America. "By leveraging 50 years of experience in zero-emission bus manufacturing, we look forward to advancing our industry with transit solutions that help preserve the environment while contributing to the development of smart, connected cities."

According to company officials, NFI Group has already invested US $4.1 million to create the VIC, and expects to invest an additional USD $5 million in developing its electric-bus manufacturing program. The investment, which is in addition to an ongoing US $25 million expansion of the Anniston facility, was supported by the City of Anniston, State of Alabama, and Alabama Power.

The Anniston, Alabama campus, acquired by New Flyer of America in 2013, manufactures transit buses from high-strength steel frames and currently employs approximately 630 people. In 2015, New Flyer invested USD $20 million to transform the campus into a world-class manufacturing facility capable of producing New Flyer's Xcelsior® heavy-duty buses. The 2017-2018 expansion will add approximately 76,000 square feet, increasing Anniston campus space to nearly 380,000 square feet.

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