2 min read - 7 Oct, 2025
Wrightbus hits profit for first time with 77% revenue leap
Wrightbus, the Northern Ireland-based zero-emission bus manufacturer, has become profitable for the first year since its acquisition in 2019. Operating profit stood at £37m in 2024, an increase of £40m from the £3m operating loss announced in 2023.
The Ballymena-based business has hailed production efficiencies, export growth and a full order book for a 77% leap in revenue, which saw turnover jump from £257.8m in 2023 to £455.1m in 2024.
Wrightbus had just 49 employees when it was rescued from administration in 2019. It now boasts over 2,300, with a further 7,500 jobs secured in the largely UK supply chain.
While bus manufacturing is at its core, Wrightbus has expanded its after-sales and repowering divisions and is part of a wider group which also offers depot charging solutions, alternative energy supplies and net-zero financing.
Wrightbus has announced a 77% leap in revenue to £455.1m and its first profit since being rescued from administration in 2019 / Picture: Wrightbus
Jean-Marc Gales, chief executive, said: “In a tough market we have thrived, creating thousands of jobs, bringing new levels of product quality to the bus market and delighting passengers.”
He pointed to the large investment and research programmes – a £25m spend – which heralded the development of multiple new products, including a new coach, a 6×2 double-deck bus and the rollout of a repowered truck, with orders across the UK, Germany and Asia.
Wrightbus has also launched NewPower, its repowering division in Bicester; announced record numbers of apprentices, with 103 trainees learning skills from electronics to fabrication; as well as ploughing investment into its Malaysia factory, which services orders across Southeast Asia.
Its transformation has been driven by record production, export growth, and innovation in hydrogen and electric vehicles / Picture: Wrightbus
Jo Bamford, executive chairman, added: “The climb out of administration in 2019 was tough, but we are now proud to be market leaders, driving quality and innovation in the bus sector and expanding into new areas.
“Wrightbus has a proven track record in innovative engineering and design, and 2024 saw the successful launch of a left-hand drive hydrogen fuel cell bus compliant with all German regulations. This bus adds to our full complement of both single deck and double deck variants across all drive lines – diesel, hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric.”
Wrightbus has also won a string of accolades in the last two years, including being named the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in the UK and Europe and the leading zero-emission bus manufacturer in the UK.
