Thomas sells 50,000th Saf-T-Liner bus

Thomas Built Buses, a leading U.S. manufacturer of school buses, celebrated a major milestone with the delivery of its 50,000th Saf-T-Liner C2 conventional school bus to Dean Transportation of Lansing, MI, on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. 

Thomas Built Buses president and CEO Kelley Platt, said: "Dean Transportation's commitment to provide best in class pupil transportation mirrors Thomas Built's dedication to design and build the best buses on the road. I am thrilled to deliver this milestone bus to Dean Transportation, a company as focused on excellence, sustainability, community and the pupil transportation industry as we are."

Launched in 2004, the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 revolutionized the school bus industry, setting a new standard for safety, design and engineering innovation. Based on extensive driver and customer input, the C2 was designed from the ground up and built in the High Point production facility created specifically to produce the dramatically different bus.

The ergonomic driver cockpit and the best driver visibility in the Type C category is a favorite with school bus drivers. The multiplex wiring system shared by the body and chassis simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting for technicians. Plus, the C2 offers a number of other features that enhance safety, including the use of structural adhesive to provide nearly double the strength of standard joining methods.

With support from the Daimler organization, this milestone was achieved through the combined efforts of two Daimler Trucks North America Companies. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation president Bob Harbin said, "Working together, Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation brought the school bus industry the most innovative school bus design and technology. Today we both continue to set impressive examples as leaders in our product offerings, sustainable manufacturing practices and alternative-fuel offerings."

Freightliner Custom Chassis was the first chassis manufacturer to achieve Zero-Waste-to-Landfill in the U.S., and Thomas Built Buses was the first, and remains the only, school bus manufacturer to achieve Zero-Waste-to Landfill status.

Platt also recognized the company's long-standing relationships with its employees and with the community which, she said, contributed significantly to the company's nearly 100 years of success in the area and to customer satisfaction with the C2. "We have great pride in our employees' dedication to building the best bus possible. Their care and commitment help to ensure we are routinely exceeding customer expectations. As a company we are focused and committed to building buses that meet and surpass the requirements of today so our customers will be ready to meet the pupil transportation needs of the future."

Thomas Built Buses utilizes more than 100 suppliers in North and South Carolina and, on average, $28,000 of the purchase price of each Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 bus remains in the Carolinas. Thomas Built Buses produces Type A, C and D buses, and Type D chassis at its five North Carolina facilities.