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Plaxtons builds more
Page 25
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• Scarborough-based bus and coach bodybuilder Plaxtons (GB) aims to boost its production by over 13% and to take well over 50% of the UK luxury coach body market by the end of the year.
During its October 1986September 1987 production year Plaxtons built 575 PSV bodies of all types. Now it is spending close to 22 million on rationalising its production line and, according to sales and marketing manager David Goodare, the company expects to produce 650 bodies in its current production year.
If the recovery in the UK PSV market continues, production could rise to as many as 750 bodies next year, adds Goodare.
Plaxtons predicts that the British luxury coach market will increase by around 15% to 1,150 vehicles in 1988. As market leader it holds "just over 50%", says Goodare.
Plaxtons is looking for additional business in the singledeck bus market with its recently-launched Derwent single-deck bus body.
After a period of uncertainty caused by deregulation, many municipal operators are buying vehicles again, and Goodare believes that a number of double-deck operators are considering single-decker replacement vehicles: "We see a lot of people looking to singledeckers because of their flexibility," says Goodare.
"They're a good alternative to double-deckers." Plaxtons has sold over 20 Derwent bodies to date and plans to sell more than 40 during this year. Despite the return of city bus buyers, however, Goodare insists that Maxtons will not be tempted into the double-deck bus market with its own body: "We see more potential for us in singledeckers with the Derwent," he maintains.
The current Paramount coach body range will continue "for another three years at least," reports Goodare, although it will be "refined technically" with minor exterior and interior revisions — "a number of improvements are planned for 1989". From October 1989 all Paramount bodies will comply with the proposed European Commission PSV roll-over regulations which are due to come into affect on March 1990.
Goodare believes that the Paramount body range offers good value for money and is equal in quality to any Continental products. "We also have the best parts and service back-up of any body manufacturer," he says. Nonetheless, Plaxtons will not be extending its coach body range to include an integral model, and it has no immediate plans to expand its dealer network.
Following the streamlining of its production line Plaxtons hopes to even out its build rates so they are less affected by seasonal buying patterns.
The changes will result in reduced building times and improved efficiency among its 900-strong workforce, claims Goodare. Plaxtons is also trying to increase the standardisation of body panels across its Paramount range to avoid having to build individual versions to suit different chassis.
During 1986/87 Plaxtons (GB) recorded a turnover of £99 million and a pre-tax profit of £1.49 million, helped by contributions from the Kirkby Group (acquired by Plaxtons in March 1987). Profitability and turnover are both expected to increase in 1988.