AUSTRALIA Higer’s Australian distributor WMC has appointed John Boon as chief engineer after 35 years with bus body builder Custom Coaches, Australasia Bus and Coach reported.
Boon has spent February working at Higer headquarters in Suzhou, China, leading the design and specification changes for Higer’s Citibus range for both the Australian and other western markets.
WMC CEO Jason Pecotic says Boon’s experience in the bus industry makes him a vital asset for the Higer team during continued expansion in Australia.
“Higer is in the process of building its presence in Australia and part of that is expanding into city buses,” said Pecotic. “His expertise, particularly in dealing with regulators and government transport authorities, will be a really important asset for Higer.”
At Custom Coaches, Boon served on several committees relating to the bus industry and is the current bus body building representative to the BusNSW committee – a position he has maintained for the past 25 years.
“John understands what is involved in the production process and will be able to liaise with government bodies and the production line in China to ensure Higer products meet the standards and needs of Australian authorities and end users,” added Pecotic.
As chief engineer at Higer Bus Australia, Boon will work towards the implementation of the Higer city buses in Australia by working directly with the Higer factory in Suzhou to ensure maximum efficiency and compliance.
Boon said the move to Higer provides a challenge and exciting opportunity to help develop an allnew range of not just city buses but also coaches and mini-buses.
“Higer has had rapid growth over the past couple of years and there are some exciting opportunities ahead that will provide a great challenge and enable Higer to become a major player in the Australian bus and coach market,” he added.
