05 Oct 2021 Mellor to embark upon exciting next phase in UK growth
Mellor, part of the Woodall Nicholson Group, is to receive significant investment and an ‘exciting’ repositioning of its business activities for 2022. The company says a focus on technology, people and facilities will be ‘front and centre’ of the next phase in the development of the Mellor brand as it emerges as a major player in the UK bus market.
Mellor, alongside Promech Technologies based in Scarborough – both part of the Woodall Nicholson vehicle manufacturing group – has said investment is under way and plans are in place to expand considerably its UK market presence, while recognising the market’s shifting emphasis towards zero-emission vehicles.
Facilities
Key to Mellor’s plans is Promech Technologies and the forthcoming development of a new, purpose-built R&D and production facility in Scarborough, creating local employment opportunities and serving as a technology hub for the development of future Mellor products and expanded Mellor Production capability. Significant investment into the new location will create additional manufacturing capacity and will include a dedicated Mellor (Scarborough) production division.
Promech is already instrumental in the development of technologies for all Woodall Nicholson vehicle brands, while the new facilities will create an even greater symbiosis between Mellor as a UK brand and Promech as its technology provider. Partnerships with local schools and colleges to promote STEM learning among young people will create a centre-of-excellence for future talent within the business.
Technology
Mellor’s size- and cost-appropriate product range has already seen notable recent expansion with the introduction of new full-electric Orion E23 and Maxima E23 vehicles to allow customers to take advantage of the of the government’s ZEBRA funding initiative. A new Orion Evolution is also a new edition to the range; a 5.5-tonne, 27-passenger vehicle offering high-spec, low-cost credentials.
Inherent in all the Mellor product range is an increasing input of UK-based technology, courtesy of Promech. With a new facility slated for completion next year, Mellor will be even better equipped to deliver a range of zero-emissions vehicle solutions for customers.
People
Recent appointments of Mark Clissett as Managing Director of the Bus Division, John Randerson as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Gustavo Marqueta as International Business Development Director, also point to a dynamic new senior management structure behind ambitious plans for growth.
Mark Clissett joined the Woodall Nicholson group in January as Managing Director of the Bus Division, including the Mellor and Treka Bus brands. He succeeded John Randerson whose appointment as CTO sees him head-up Promech Technologies with a remit to deliver solutions across the Woodall Nicholson portfolio. Gustavo Marqueta brings huge industry experience following senior roles with Tata Motors and most recently with Alexander Dennis Ltd. – both with respect to international business development.
“We’re about to see an exciting next phase in the development of the Mellor business,” said Bus Division Managing Director, Mark Clissett, “Many of the foundations for our repositioning are completed and plans are at an advanced stage for the new Promech facility in Scarborough. Technology, people and facilities will be front and centre of developments,” he said, “and 2022 will see the emergence of Mellor as a major player on the UK bus scene, with ambitious plans to expand our overseas presence, too. The demand for zero-emissions vehicles continues to grow and we are 100% committed to delivering size- and cost-effective solutions that exceed operators’ requirements.”