COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a transaction that was completed on October 17, representation of Blue Bird’s dealership agreement in the South Carolina market has now been successfully transitioned from Palmetto Bus Sales to Blanchard Machinery.
Blanchard Machinery, with over 30 years of business experience, will now sell and service Blue Bird school buses in the State of South Carolina under their Blanchard Bus Centers division. Palmetto Bus Sales of Gaston, S.C. remains a commercial bus dealer representing other bus manufacturers.
While details of the transaction were not disclosed, Blanchard was named the dealer concurrent with the sale and will step into parts and bus sales immediately, along with becoming certified for service capability on the complete line of Blue Bird buses and powertrains.
“We are excited about the addition of Blanchard Bus Center to our dealership team,” says Mark Terry, chief commercial officer of Blue Bird Corporation. “With decades of sales and service experience satisfying customers, we feel confident that Blanchard’s facility network and energy around this new business relationship will translate into rewarding relationships with the customers of South Carolina.”
Joe Blanchard, president of Blanchard Machinery, sees a great opportunity to expand market share and deliver improved service and support to new and existing Blue Bird customers.
“Adding Blue Bird to our family of products and services was an easy decision,” says Blanchard. “Blue Bird has a history of creating a reliable, long-lasting product. This reflects our company’s commitment to delivering products and services that our customers can depend on long-term.”
Blanchard will sell and service Blue Bird under their Blanchard Bus Centers brand. “We currently have seven locations fully equipped to maintain and repair school buses,” says Blanchard. “It is extremely important that buses are kept running for our customers, and this is a top priority for us. We believe school bus customers in South Carolina will take notice of our fast, reliable service and easy parts distribution.”
Blanchard Bus Centers have over seven locations across the State of South Carolina. You can find them online at www.BlanchardPowerSystems.com/locations.aspx.
About Blue Bird Corp.
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is the leading independent designer and manufacturer of school buses, with more than 550,000 buses sold since its formation in 1927 and approximately 180,000 buses in operation today. Blue Bird’s longevity and reputation in the school bus industry have made it an iconic American brand. Blue Bird distinguishes itself from its principal competitors by its singular focus on the design, engineering, manufacture and sale of school buses and related parts. As the only manufacturer of chassis and body production specifically designed for school bus applications, Blue Bird is recognized as an industry leader for school bus innovation, safety, product quality/reliability/durability, operating costs and drivability.
In addition, Blue Bird is the market leader in alternative fuel applications with its propane-powered and compressed natural gas-powered school buses. Blue Bird manufactures school buses at two facilities in Fort Valley, Georgia. Its Micro Bird joint venture operates a manufacturing facility in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada. Service and after-market parts are distributed from Blue Bird’s parts distribution center located in Delaware, Ohio. www.blue-bird.com
About Blanchard Machinery
Blanchard Machinery Company has been supplying South Carolina customers with earth moving machines, engine services and power generation equipment since 1982. The family owned company, led by Joe Blanchard, has established retail and rental stores throughout the state which offer a wide range of brands of equipment, from full-sized bulldozers to small machine parts, and is South Carolina’s official Blue Bird school bus dealer. Blanchard Machinery has 13 total locations throughout the state representing three major groups: Machine, Power Systems and Peninsula Equipment. http://www.BlanchardMachinery.com
