WINNIPEG, Feb. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - (TSX:NFI) (TSX:NFI.DB.U) New Flyer
Industries Inc. ("New Flyer" or the "Company"), the leading
manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States and
Canada, announced today that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority ("Metro") has awarded New Flyer a contract for
up to 900 Xcelsior™ 40-foot heavy-duty compressed natural gas ("CNG")
buses.
The five-year contract contains a firm order for 550 buses and options
for up to an additional 350 buses. Between 1998 and 2001, New Flyer
manufactured 466 CNG buses for Metro. This build will be the first time
New Flyer has built for Metro in over ten years and the first time the
New Flyer Xcelsior™ model will be introduced into Metro's active
transit fleet of over 2,200 buses.
Some of the exciting features Metro has chosen to include in this build
are: all-electric HVAC, electric doors, electric cooling, New Flyer
Connect™ telematics system and a Parker-Vansco instrumentation panel
cluster equipped with touch-screen technology. These features will
allow Metro to realize operating range and efficiency gains in line
with their corporate mission of sustainability and emission reduction.
"We are thrilled to be awarded the Metro contract," said Paul Soubry,
President and CEO of New Flyer. "With our last Metro build more than
10 years ago, we're excited to have this opportunity to once again
build, deliver our best-in-class Xcelsior™, and provide service and
support for the life of Metro's buses."
On January 8, 2013 Metro issued the Company a notice of intent to award
this contract but advised that Metro Safety Committee and Board of
Directors approvals had to be achieved before a contact could be
issued.
The 550 Xcelsior™ 40-foot buses are anticipated to begin production in
the fourth quarter of 2013 and will be completely manufactured and
assembled at New Flyer of America's St. Cloud, Minnesota manufacturing
facility. All 550 buses part of the expected to be delivered by the
latter half of the first quarter of 2015.
About New Flyer
New Flyer is the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the
United States and Canada. The Company's three manufacturing facilities
- in St. Cloud, MN; Crookston, MN; and Winnipeg, MB - are all ISO 9001,
ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certified. The Company currently operates a
parts fabrication facility in Elkhart, IN and four parts distribution
centers in Erlanger, KY; Fresno, CA; Winnipeg, MB and Brampton, ON.
The Company also operates a service center in Arnprior, ON.
With a skilled workforce of over 2,200 employees, New Flyer is a
technology leader, offering the broadest product line in the industry,
including drive systems powered by clean diesel, LNG, CNG and electric
trolley as well as energy-efficient diesel-electric hybrid vehicles.
New Flyer has delivered over 32,000 heavy-duty buses in the United
States and Canada. All products are supported with an
industry-leading, comprehensive parts and service network. Further
information is available on New Flyer's web site at www.newflyer.com.
The common shares and convertible unsecured subordinated debentures of
New Flyer are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols
NFI and NFI.DB.U, respectively.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to
expected future events and financial and operating results of the
Company that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based
upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, investors
cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these
forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material.
Actual results may differ materially from management expectations as
projected in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons,
including market and general economic conditions and economic
conditions of and funding availability for customers to purchase buses
and to purchase parts or services, customers may not exercise options
to purchase additional buses, the ability of customers to terminate
contracts for convenience and the other risks and uncertainties
discussed in the materials filed with the Canadian securities
regulatory authorities and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Due to the potential impact of these factors, the Company disclaims
any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, unless required by applicable law.
SOURCE: New Flyer Industries Inc.
