NETHERLANDS
Dutch manufacturer VDL has officially opened its new Flemish factory in Roeselare. The new facility was officially opened on 10 April, and in addition to the 27,000m2 production facility, also houses a workshop, warehouse, and offices of VDL Bus Roeselare and VDL Bus & Coach Belgium.
The site covers a total area of 77,000m2, and has already been in operation for some time. It is where the serial production of the new generation Citea electric bus will take place. The opening was attended by Flemish prime minister Jan Jambon and Flemish minister for mobility Lydia Peeters as well as customers, suppliers and the media.
The foundation stone of the new bus plant was laid on 8 February 2022. VDL says the new site is characterised by its sustainability and innovation philosophy, which is reflected in several areas. The building has been designed with a strong focus on environmental friendliness, with underfloor heating and extensive ventilation systems ensuring efficient use of energy. Solar panels have been integrated into the design, making the plant largely self-sufficient in its energy needs, and a ‘green’ roof not only contributes to the aesthetics of the building, but also acts as a natural insulator and contributes to the biodiversity of the environment.
VDL Bus & Coach says it deliberately chose to build its buses in Europe. “We have a reliable network of production facilities, close to customers, with our own skilled workers who have been loyal to us for years, and with sustainable production methods. Our employees are highly qualified and use state-of-the-art technology to produce the electric buses of today and of the future,” said CEO Rolf-Jan Zweep.
VDL Bus & Coach, part of the wider family-owned VDL Groep, is an advocate of retaining employment, knowledge and skills within its own region. The company emphasised the importance of a level playing field against manufacturers from elsewhere. “There has to be fair competition, playing by the same rules,” said Rolf-Jan.
Alain Doucet, Managing Director of VDL Bus Roeselare, also stressed the importance of investing in jobs: “We know that technically-skilled people are of paramount importance for the high-end manufacturing industry. It is crucial that we also continue to invest in lifelong learning as bus builders to adapt the skills of our employees to the changing needs of the economy. However, we should not assume this happens automatically: it requires a great effort from both employer and employee,” he said.
VDL Bus Roeselare’s production capacity is around 800 buses per year, though production is shared with its other production facility in Valkenswaard to maximise the use of available production capacity and increase flexibility.
