Speech: PUTCO LTD - IRISBUS / IVECO Partnership

PUTCO LTD – IRISBUS/IVECO Partnership

Speech by Mr. Franco Pisapia, MD of PUTCO Ltd. The Vice President ;Sales and Marketing Irisbus/Iveco Mr. Danilo Martelli, The General Manager Sales and marketing Africa Iveco; Mr. Vincenzo Scardigno, The Managing Director Iveco South Africa; Mr. Ed Chvatal, Representatives of Irisbus and Iveco, Representatives of PUTCO Ltd, Directors of PUTCO Ltd, Media representatives, Ladies and gentlemen...

Good Afternoon,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome the Iris bus/Iveco delegation to PUTCO Ltd on this very important day, of the unveiling of the latest series of buses that have been developed jointly by Dubigeon body and coach and Irisbus/Iveco.

We are gathered here today to announce the partnership between PUTCO Ltd and Iris bus/Iveco which is the preferred supplier of chassis to PUTCO Ltd for the future.

Many years of hard work have gone into refining this process, to finally have a chassis which we believe to be suitable for our needs going forward. The range of chassis which PUTCO Ltd will utilize for its commuter fleet of buses is the eurorider Chassis in a 4x2 and 6x2 configuration.

PUTCO Ltd has a long standing relationship with Iveco and with this new partnership on the eurorider chassis, we hope to cement this even further. Dubigeon body and coach has been on an expansion drive for the last 18 months, which will be completed in December this year, after which we will be well positioned to cater for and build buses for third parties.

During the last 36 months, Dubigeon factory has developed many bus bodies, ranging from the FP 01 to the latest bus, the FP-07. This is an exceptional achievement, if one considers that none of our competitors has ever achieved this in such a short period of time. I would like to compliment the team at Dubigeon on this achiement, they have truly understood what I mean by being a dynamic company.

The evolvement of the Iris bus Iveco and PUTCO relationship during the development of the bus bodies for the eurorider chassis has been a very fruitful one. The exchange of information and technology between the two companies is a very important aspect, as it enhances the much needed skills transfer. We would like to thank Irisbus Iveco for all the assistance they have provided in this regard. We also believe that this interaction needs to strengthen even further in other areas of collaboration between the two companies.

Coming back to what we are here to celebrate, the launch of the FP-07 into the PUTCO Ltd fleet. I would like to highlight some of the innovations which we have incorporated into this model.

  • The chassis is the Euro Rider Cursor 10 in the 6x2 configuration, and the third axle is a steering axle which is linked to the steering rack, thereby making the bus more user friendly on the tyres.
  • The body which incorporates the pop in slide windows, which gives the effect when closed, that the windows are one piece, is the first of its kind in South Africa. These windows are also bonded windows.
  • The roof structure is a one piece Fiberglass
  • The passenger door is a bonded one glass panel per door and an in swing type
  • We also believe that the design of the body is the first of its kind and style in South Africa; A unique front and rear sub-assembly structure, which compares well with world class standards. We also believe that this is the best body built; at the moment is South Africa.
  • This is a great achievement from Dubigeon, considering the progress that we have made, from building a basic type body to a world class body.

I wish to reiterate our commitment to continue producing high quality products, coupled with high quality chassis. This will definitely place us at the forefront of the industry and ensure that we provide a quality service to our passengers.

I would also like to indicate our intention to continually strive to make better products and move with the times, by ensuring that we maintain our research and development efforts.

To Iris bus/Iveco, thank you for having the confidence to make us your partner, in your quest to be a major player in the bus sector and contribute to the South African economy. We will endovours to make you proud of your association with PUTCO.

A light finger lunch will be served, providing an opportunity for all to mingle and to introduce one another.

The FP-7 bus is also on display outside; please feel free to appreciate the design

Thank you

29 October 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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