Welcome to our dedicated page for Blue Bird news (Ticker: BLBD), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Blue Bird stock.
Overview
Blue Bird Corporation is a distinguished American manufacturer specializing in the design, engineering, and production of school buses, with a strong commitment to safety and innovation. Operating in a highly specialized niche, the company is renowned for its expertise in bus manufacturing, its advanced engineering solutions, and a carefully maintained safety standard that addresses the critical need for secure student transportation. With roots tracing back to 1927, Blue Bird has consistently set industry benchmarks, evolving its range of products to meet and exceed educational transportation standards.
Business Segments
The company operates primarily through two key segments:
- The Bus Segment: This core business area encompasses the design, engineering, production, and sales of school buses. Blue Bird offers complete lines of Type A, C, and D buses, available in a variety of options and configurations to suit diverse operational needs. Its engineering prowess ensures that each bus meets stringent safety and performance standards, making them a trusted choice for school districts and transportation agencies.
- The Parts Segment: Complementing its bus manufacturing, Blue Bird supplies replacement parts through an extensive network, ensuring longevity and reliability of its products. This segment is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, providing high-quality components that support ongoing fleet maintenance.
Manufacturing and Operational Excellence
Blue Bird Corporation has established robust manufacturing facilities centered in Georgia, which support its high production standards and innovation in design. The company’s network of dealers and service centers throughout North America reinforces its commitment to quality and customer accessibility. Additionally, the maintenance of a global presence through sales in over 60 countries highlights its capability to cater to international markets, while upholding a consistent commitment to operational excellence.
Financial Solutions and Customer Support
Beyond manufacturing, Blue Bird integrates comprehensive financial services through Blue Bird Capital Services. This division provides tailored financial solutions, facilitating customer access to the company’s products and extended warranties. This integrated approach not only enhances customer convenience but reinforces the overall value proposition by offering flexibility and support throughout the purchase and ownership lifecycle.
Commitment to Safety and Innovation
Central to Blue Bird’s operational philosophy is an unwavering focus on safety, particularly given the critical importance of student transportation. The company continuously innovates its design and engineering methods to adhere to, and often surpass, established safety benchmarks. This commitment is reflected in every aspect of its manufacturing process, ensuring that each product is not just a bus, but a secure vehicle built with responsibility and precision.
Market Position and Industry Context
Positioned as an independent designer and manufacturer, Blue Bird has carved a niche in the competitive landscape of school bus production. It differentiates itself through a combination of technical innovation, an enduring legacy of quality, and a comprehensive service model that spans from product development to after-sales support. In a market where reliability, durability, and safety are paramount, Blue Bird’s strategic integration of manufacturing excellence with financial services offers a holistic solution, reinforcing its credible stance among both public and private sector customers.
Operational Strategy and Value Proposition
Blue Bird Corporation’s success is built on its systematic approach to product quality and customer satisfaction. The company’s diversified approach includes:
- Advanced, safety-focused design and engineering for a range of school bus types.
- A comprehensive parts distribution network, ensuring durability and cost-effective maintenance.
- Integrated financial solutions that facilitate customer transactions and enhance product value.
This integrated operational structure not only underscores its commitment to safety but also showcases its ability to adapt to a dynamic market environment, positioning it as a stalwart in school transportation.
Blue Bird (BLBD) showcases its latest commercial vehicle solutions at Work Truck Week 2025, featuring two key innovations: a propane-powered Class 5-6 stripped chassis and an electric step van.
The propane-powered chassis, developed in collaboration with Ford and ROUSH CleanTech, features a 208-inch wheelbase, 23,000 pounds GVWR, and Ford's 7.3L V8 engine delivering 335 horsepower. The electric step van, built on a 178-inch wheelbase chassis, offers a 140kWh Lithium-ion battery with up to 130 miles range and 1-12 hour charging time.
Both vehicles feature 55-degree wheel cut and 23,000 pounds GVWR. The electric version includes enhanced safety features like hill hold and electric creep. Commercial availability is scheduled for Q1 2026 for electric and Q2 2026 for propane variants.
Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) has donated an advanced electric school bus to Hoop Bus Inc, a nonprofit organization focused on youth programming. The zero-emission bus, equipped with basketball hoops at both ends, will serve at-risk youth across California communities. The vehicle debuts at West Oakland Middle School, featuring in Hoop Bus' P.E. Takeover program ahead of NBA All-Star weekend in February 2025.
The donated Blue Bird All American electric bus can travel up to 120 miles on a single charge and has been converted into a mobile basketball court with collaborative seating areas, storage spaces, flatscreen TVs, and solar panels to power its entertainment system. InCharge Energy has contributed a Level 2 AC vehicle charger with additional support services.
Hoop Bus, which has impacted 320,000 youth annually since 2019, operates six vehicles across major U.S. cities, with three being Blue Bird buses. Blue Bird, the only U.S.-owned school bus manufacturer, has over 2,500 electric-powered buses currently in operation.
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) reported its fiscal 2025 first quarter results, with net sales of $313.9 million, down 1.2% year-over-year, and net income of $28.7 million, up $2.6 million from last year. The company delivered 2,130 buses, maintaining similar levels to the previous year.
The company achieved an Adjusted EBITDA of $45.8 million with a 14.6% margin, slightly down from last year but still representing the second-highest Q1 performance. Notable achievements include delivering over 130 electric-powered buses and securing approximately 1,000 EV buses in firm orders or sales.
Blue Bird reaffirmed its FY2025 guidance, projecting net revenue of $1.4-1.5 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $185-215 million, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $40-60 million. The company also confirmed its long-term outlook targeting an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 15%+ on ~$2 billion in revenues.
Glades County School District (GCSD) has introduced 13 electric school buses from Blue Bird (BLBD) for the 2024-2025 school year, replacing over half of its aging diesel fleet. The new buses, capable of carrying 77 students up to 120 miles per charge, feature air conditioning—a significant upgrade as only three buses previously offered this amenity.
The district received nearly $5 million through the EPA's Clean School Bus Rebate Program for this purchase. The electric buses are expected to generate substantial savings, with reported energy costs of 19 cents per mile compared to 79 cents for diesel buses. GCSD partnered with Highland Electric Fleets for electrification services and infrastructure support.
This initiative is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's $5 billion program for clean school transportation, which has awarded nearly $3 billion to date, enabling over 1,300 school districts to replace diesel buses with nearly 9,000 electric and ultra-low emission vehicles.
Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD), a leader in electric and low-emission school buses, has appointed John Wyskiel as President and CEO, effective February 17, 2025. Wyskiel will also join the Board of Directors on the same date.
Wyskiel, an automotive industry veteran with over 35 years of experience, succeeds Phil Horlock, who served as President and CEO from 2011 to 2021 and was reappointed in May 2023. Horlock will remain on the Board to support the transition.
Wyskiel's background includes roles at Magna International, where he was President of Magna Seating, leading a $6 billion business with 33,000 employees across 60+ facilities in 15 countries. He also held senior roles at Magna’s Body & Structures business, Dana , and Borg Warner.
Doug Grimm, Chairman of Blue Bird, commended Horlock for his contributions and emphasized Wyskiel's expertise in operational excellence and manufacturing leadership. Grimm highlighted the company's current profitability, margins, and liquidity at record levels, making this an opportune time for the leadership transition.
Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD), a leader in electric and cleaner-emission school buses, has announced it will release its fiscal 2025 first quarter results on February 5, 2025. The company will host an audio webcast and conference call at 4:30 PM ET on the same day.
President and CEO Phil Horlock and CFO Razvan Radulescu will lead the discussion of the results. The presentation will include supporting slides and will be accessible through the Investor Relations section of Blue Bird's website. A replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes.
Wilkes County Schools (WCS) has become Georgia's first school district to operate all 25 daily bus routes with zero- and ultra-low-emission vehicles. Blue Bird (BLBD) delivered 5 electric and 12 propane-powered buses to complete this transition. The electric buses can travel up to 130 miles per charge, while propane buses can cover 250 miles per tank.
The district received a $2,335,000 EPA grant through the Clean School Bus Rebate Program. The switch is expected to generate significant cost savings, with electric buses costing 19 cents per mile in energy costs compared to 79 cents for diesel. The district's 22 propane buses could save over $1.2 million over 15 years, with per-bus annual savings of up to $3,700 compared to diesel.
Blue Bird 's joint venture Micro Bird is expanding manufacturing operations to Plattsburgh, New York, after purchasing the Nova Bus facility. Production is set to begin in mid-2025, with plans to create over 350 full-time jobs. The expansion will double Micro Bird's production capacity for school buses, activity buses, multi-purpose vehicles, and commercial buses. The project receives support from Empire State Development, including $10 million in tax credits and a $2.5 million capital grant. Site preparation and hiring will commence in January 2025, with production starting in summer 2025.
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) reported record fiscal 2024 results with net sales of $1.35 billion, up 19% year-over-year, and GAAP net income of $106 million, an increase of $82 million. The company achieved record Adjusted EBITDA of $183 million, up $95 million, with 9,000 buses sold. Electric bus deliveries grew by nearly 30% to over 700 units. The company raised its FY2025 guidance, projecting net revenue of $1.4-1.5 billion and Adjusted EBITDA of $190-210 million. Blue Bird also updated its long-term outlook, targeting an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 15%+ on ~$2 billion in revenue.
Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD), a leader in electric and cleaner-emission school buses, announced it will release its fiscal 2024 fourth quarter and full year financial results on November 25, 2024. The company will host an audio webcast at 4:30PM ET on the same day, featuring CEO Phil Horlock and CFO Razvan Radulescu discussing the results. A slide presentation will accompany the webcast, which will be accessible through Blue Bird's Investor Relations website. A replay will be available approximately two hours after the call.
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