BLBD

Blue Bird Corp. is North America's leading manufacturer of school buses, producing traditional diesel-powered buses, alternative fuel buses including propane and compressed natural gas (CNG), and increasingly, electric school buses. Headquartered in Macon, Georgia, Blue Bird has over 90 years of history and an installed base of over 180,000 buses on the road. The company designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells school buses to school districts, private fleet operators, and government entities through an extensive dealer network across North America. Blue Bird dominates a niche market where reliability, safety, and low total cost of ownership are paramount. Blue Bird's product portfolio includes the Vision conventional school bus (available in diesel, propane, CNG, and electric), the All American front-engine transit-style buses, and various specialty configurations. The company has been at the forefront of alternative propulsion in school buses, with substantial market share in propane and CNG buses and rapidly growing presence in electric school buses. The electric school bus market is experiencing strong growth driven by environmental mandates, government incentives (including significant EPA funding through the Clean School Bus Program), and operating cost advantages of electric propulsion. Blue Bird's electric buses offer zero emissions, lower fuel costs, reduced maintenance, and quieter operation compared to diesel buses. The company generates revenue through bus sales, parts sales, and service contracts. Blue Bird operates manufacturing facilities in Georgia with a vertically integrated production process providing quality control and cost efficiency. The company has secured significant electric school bus orders as school districts transition fleets. Blue Bird faces competition from larger commercial vehicle manufacturers including Thomas Built (Daimler), IC Bus (Navistar), and new electric vehicle entrants. The company differentiates through its exclusive focus on school buses, dealer network, parts and service capabilities, electric bus technology leadership, and strong brand recognition. Success depends on navigating the powertrain transition, capturing share in the growing electric bus market, maintaining quality and safety standards, managing supplier relationships, and delivering profitable growth through both new bus sales and aftermarket parts and service.