An interview with Blue Bird and Girardin representatives updates customers on how a partnership announced this past fall on jointly manufacturing and marketing the Type A school came about and what can be expected in the future.
STN editors interviewed Roger Howsmon, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of sales for Blue Bird, and Steve Girardin, president of A. Girardin Inc., during the recent NAPT Trade Show in Louisville, Ky., about the joint venture to re-brand the Micro Bird Type A school bus. It is now known as the Micro Bird by Girardin, and it will replace all other current Girardin Minibus models by the end of this year.
“We saw a need to improve on the product, and we had a choice to make. We could invest substantial resources and talent of our team to overhaul the product, if you will, or seek a partnership.” said Howsmon. “When we analyzed the potential return on investment, it made a lot of sense for both companies to join hands and take the synergies that both companies have to the customer level.”
Girardin added that the partnership is a “perfect marriage” and a “win-win.” Blue Bird and Girardin have had a business relationship for many years, including Girardin being a Canadian dealer for both large and small Blue Bird bus brands.
A more in depth news story is published in the January 2010 issue of School Transportation News magazine.
