Mellor has outlined further details of its Scarborough-based production division that will form part of the small bus OEM’s plans to reposition its business from 2022. A first hint has also been dropped that it will investigate hydrogen fuel cell-electric power in the medium term.
The new 54,000 sq ft Scarborough facility will also be the home of fellow Woodall Nicholson subsidiary Promech Technologies. The building will include purpose-built manufacturing, R&D and office development, with completion expected in Q3 2022.
Mellor’s facilities in Scarborough will come with what the OEM says will be “state of the art equipment to facilitate design engineering, chassis conversions and homologation.”
50 employees will relocate from Promech’s existing location nearby. It is expected that up to 50 new positions will be created. Work with local schools and colleges will be undertaken to promote opportunities and to create a centre of excellence for future talent.
Mellor will also upgrade its design software to the latest 3DEXPERIENCE from Dassault Systèmes. That will “significantly boost” design capacity, allowing it to further develop its product offering. In October, Bus Division Managing Director Mark Clissett revealed that a zero-emission bus that is larger than its current line-up will debut soon.
Speaking about the work at Scarborough, Mr Clissett describes it as “one of the most important investments that Mellor has ever made.”
He adds that the shift “underlines our commitment to UK customers,” while the design software investment and workforce leaves the manufacturer well positioned to develop “exciting new products and to enhance considerably our chassis conversion capability.”
Promech Chief Technology Officer John Randerson says that the new combined facility “will create an even greater symbiosis between Mellor as a UK brand and Promech as its technology provider, particularly regarding electric and hydrogen fuel cell drivetrains, and the integration of the two technologies.”
