The global bus industry is undergoing a challenge unlike any seen before, but as COVID-19 makes life difficult for so many in the world of transport, Volgren Perth is bucking the trend and expanding it’s aftersales delivery and headcount.
The new 2000-square metre facility, located next door to the current manufacturing site will more than double its aftersales capacity, bringing the number of buses that can be worked on simultaneously to ten.
Volgren Perth’s Contract and Aftersales Manager, Peter McCrory, says they are fortunate to be operating with the security of a long-term contract with the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia, which gives them the confidence to keep investing.
“More than 60 people are employed at our Malaga operation and we’re looking to add another five tradespeople into our aftersales team.
“Volgren has always prided itself on what we call local content. And a vital part of that content is labour – in other words, people doing outstanding work in areas like engineering, manufacturing, after sales support and customer service. We’re delighted to be providing new jobs for Western Australians, especially during this difficult period.”
McCrory says the company’s new aftersales facility will consolidate Volgren’s reputation as a leader in after sales service within the Australian bus sector.
“It demonstrates our very high level of commitment to customers here in Western Australia. The new facility is located next to our existing production, paint and aluminium fabrication facilities, offering efficiency and the ability to share our resources.
“As well as increased capacity we have been able to lay out our factory using lean and 5S philosophy. We’re reducing how much our people, material and buses need to move – that reduces costs and improves safety.”
McCrory says Volgren Perth can complete almost any type of busy body maintenance, refurbishment, smash repair, paint work or electrical work on a wide selection of vehicles.
“It goes without saying that we know Volgren and Marcopolo buses inside out. But our expertise extends to a variety of buses and manufacturers. We want to be considered a one-stop-shop for repair and maintenance for operators in Western Australia no matter the name on the side of their buses.
“We’re really proud of the new facility – we want to show it off, to be honest – but we also want to make the flexibility of our service very clear. We have two vans and one ute that allow our highly trained mobile technicians to travel across Perth to make repairs at the scene of an accident or breakdown. Everything we do in the after sales area is about getting buses back on the road quicker, and this facility helps us do that better.”
