Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) has enjoyed a record year for UK sales as operators rushed to comply with DDA rules, The Telegraph reported.
The Falkirk-based manufacturer said that while group revenue was flat at £601m in the year to the end of December, domestic sales increased by 23% to £356m, with 1,444 new buses sold as customers updated their fleets of double-deckers.
Colin Robertson, CEO, said the privately-owned company hopes to regain ground lost in London in the coming year with Mayor Sadiq Khan having said he will stop buying the New Routemaster.
ADL said it delivered 51 of its fully electric Enviro200 single-deckers, built in partnership with BYD, in the capital during the year.
ADL’s foreign sales dropped almost 30% to £187m as demand eased in Hong Kong after operators renewed their fleets. However, winning a key contract in Canada may open up a route to much larger sales in the country. The weaker pound is also expected to increase export orders.
Profit during the year rose by £1m to £24m and margins increased by 0.2% to 4.4%.
The company, which has about 2,400 staff, paid an £8m dividend.
