Rochdale based small bus manufacturer Mellor has announced the opening of its new production facility, which is providing much needed additional capacity due to increased demand from operators.

The site was purchased in late 2017 and is immediately adjacent to Mellor’s existing Miall Street factory. This has now been transformed into one expanded premises, which has given Mellor an additional 15,000 sq ft, effectively doubling the size of the site. The facility can now accommodate up to four new production lines and will allow for increased output, which is expected to rise to more than 500 vehicles per annum. The total investment made by the company is £1m and includes the purchase of the site and the upgrade and refurbishment project, which also features additional administrative office space.

John Randerson, Managing Director for Mellor, said: “The opening of our new extended facility has come at just the right time as we are increasingly being seen as the manufacturer of choice for a variety of small buses by many UK operators in both the private and public sector seeking suitable vehicles for both mainstream bus and demand responsive services.

“As our order book continues to grow, this production expansion is vital to our business so that we can meet the requirements of many leading bus operators. Our small buses are simply that – smaller versions offering the same features and benefits of their larger cousins including 2+2 seating, WiFi, destination displays and leather seats to name but a few.

“In addition, as our efforts in expanding into European markets continue to bear fruit, this additional capacity will prove invaluable as we move forward and further underlines our position as market leaders in small bus manufacture.”

Mellor says the expansion will result in the creation of up to 40 new manufacturing and administrative jobs for the company over the next three years.

Mellor is part of the Woodall Nicholson Group, which also includes funeral vehicle manufacturer Coleman Milne and a Specialist Vehicles Division, which supplies products to the police and other emergency services.