Blue Bird to Close Type A Plant in Canada

(May 9, 2007) — Blue Bird announced it is closing its Brantford, Ontario manufacturing plant this summer and moving its Micro Bird Type A program to the company’s headquarters in Fort Valley, Ga.

The Expositor reports about 130 people will lose their jobs. A phone call to Blue Bird representatives seeking confimration and additional comment has yet to be returned.

The effective date for the transition is Aug. 11, 2007.

The Brantford plant, located in the town of more than 93,000 residents about one hour west of Toronto, has been in operation since 1958, according to a company press release. It also said the relocation of the Micro Bird small school bus to Fort Valley will permit the company “to centralize all of its school bus line production in Georgia, enabling significant new efficiencies, particularly in its areas of resource allocation and parts sourcing.” The move will also locate the Micro Bird line adjacent to Blue Bird’s main engineering center at headquarters, “allowing for more efficient product change implementation.”

A spokesman added that Blue Bird would implement an employee assistance program for its Canadian workforce.

"Our Canadian facility will finish its production in a manner that is consistent with the quality reputation it has earned,” said Tony Kerwin, general manager of Canadian Blue Bird Coach Ltd. “And in these difficult circumstances, Blue Bird is committed to dealing compassionately with our excellent employees.”

He added the company met with employees on May 7, when plant closure announcement was initially made, and again the following day to discuss the closure and programs that will be put into place.

In a related item, Blue Bird said it will also expand production of its Vision Type C school bus at Fort Valley plant.

“Providing customers with quality buses that meet their needs is Blue Bird’s primary priority,” said Bill Cooper, Blue Bird senior vice president and GM. “Both the Micro Bird relocation and the expanded Vision line will enhance Blue Bird’s ability to supply this important service.”