Quadrupling its year-over-year sales of propane-powered school buses contributed to A-Z Bus Sales receiving the Blue Bird Dealer of the Year Award at the manufacturer’s annual dealer meeting last month in Clearwater, Fla.
Blue Bird added in a release that A-Z Bus, which services California and Hawaii, grew its “already commanding market share” and was also recognized as one of six dealers to win the 2013 Propane Autogas Leadership Award that is given in conjunction with ROUSH CleanTech.
“2013 was a strong year for A-Z Bus Sales,” said Jim Reynolds, CEO of A-Z Bus Sales and five-year dealer representative on Blue Bird’s Dealer Advisory Council. “Our entire dealership team deserves recognition for the hard work and dedication required to achieve this honor.”
Other propane leadership award winners were Canyon State Bus Sales, Central States Bus Sales, Rush Bus Centers, School Lines and Wisconsin Bus Sales.
Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird, said the manufacturer experienced a record-breaking 2013 as its market share continued to grow “aggressively” with its national dealer network “a driving factor in our success.”
“We commend our award-winning dealers for their commitment to provide school districts and contractors across North America with the highest level of service and support,” he added. “Blue Bird also congratulates A-Z Bus Sales on their achievement as our 2013 Blue Bird Dealer of the Year. This is a well-deserved honor for the A-Z Bus Sales team. They have been delivering outstanding performance for Blue Bird for over 25 years.”
Blue Bird also honored I.G. Burton & Company for 65 years of service as a Blue Bird dealer for Delaware, the District of Columbia and Maryland. Hartley’s School Buses, serving Montana and North Dakota, received an award for 40 years of service, while Fairway Specialty Vehicles of Manitoba and Florida Transportation Systems were each recognized for 35 years of service. New York Bus Sales received a 10-year award and Rush Bus Centers and Rush Bus Centers in East Texas received a 5-year award.
Below is the full list of honorees at the year-end meeting:
BEST IN REGION AWARD WINNERS – No. 1 PERFORMER FROM EACH REGION
- Northeast: Bird Bus Sales – New York City, Long Island, Lower Hudson Valley
- Southeast/Central: Yancey Bus Sales, Ga.
- Midwest: Holland Bus Company, Mich.
- West: A-Z Bus Sales, California and Hawaii
- Canada/Northern Plains: Girardin – Ontario
BEST IN BUS AWARD WINNERS – TOP PERFORMERS IN EACH REGION
Northeast
Bird Bus Sales – New York City, Long Island, Lower Hudson Valley
Hoover Truck and Bus Centers – New Jersey
I.G. Burton and Company – Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland
New York Bus Sales – Upstate New York
Midwest
Cardinal Bus Sales and Service – Ohio
Central States Bus Sales – Missouri
Holland Bus Company- Michigan
School Bus Sales Co. – Iowa
Southeast/Central
Blue Bird Bus Sales of Pittsburgh
Burroughs Bus Sales – Mississippi
Busworx – Alabama
Florida Transportation Systems – Florida
Gregory Poole Equipment – North Carolina
Kansas Truck Equipment Co. – Kansas
Ross Bus and Equipment Sales – Louisiana
Ross Transportation, Inc. – Oklahoma
Yancey Bus Sales – Georgia
West
A-Z Bus Sales – California, Hawaii
Blue Star Bus Sales – West Texas
Bryson Sales & Service – Idaho, Nevada, Utah
Canyon State Bus Sales – Arizona
Colorado/West Equipment – Colorado
Western Bus Sales – Oregon
Canada/Northern Plains
A. Girardin – Quebec
Bus Sales of Saskatoon – Saskatchewan
Elder Equipment – Wyoming
Fairway Specialty Vehicles – Manitoba
Girardin Ontario – Ontario
North Central Bus Sales – Minnesota, South Dakota
United Truck Body Co. – Northeastern Minnesota
