The UK’s leading ‘size-appropriate’ bus manufacturer, Mellor, is embarking upon a dedicated sales drive in the south and south-east of the UK, spearheaded by the appointment of the “immensely experienced” Sean Palmer (pictured) as Area Sales Manager.
The move comes as Mellor looks to increase brand awareness in the south and to demonstrate the scalability of the company’s bus range to suit the changing pattern of bus patronage.
It follows Mellor’s announcement earlier this month that it is extending its bus product range with the introduction of its new Orion Evolution – a 5.5-tonne, 27-passenger bus offering high-specification low-cost appeal to a wide range of service-bus and coach operators.
The size-appropriate – and cost-appropriate – nature of Mellor’s product line-up is especially pertinent during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, providing bus operators with the opportunity to make presently unviable routes, viable again.
Sean has built-up an enviable network of contacts having spent his career-to-date in the fast-fit and aftermarket sectors; the last three years of which with DPF refurbishment company, Ceramex, where he spent considerable time with major bus companies.
He joins Mellor’s area sales management team alongside Jane Dransfield (North) and Stephen Haywood (National Sales Manager).
“I intend to put Mellor on bus operators’ shopping lists”
Sean Palmer, Area Sales Manager (South), Mellor
“I intend to put Mellor on bus operators’ shopping lists,” said Sean Palmer, “today’s economic climate demands that operators re-evaluate their fleet profiles, and Mellor most certainly offers an alternative to the standard ‘big bus’ business model.
“I also intend to dispel the notion that Mellor is merely a conversion specialist. No, Mellor is a dedicated coachbuilder, designing and manufacturing vehicles.”
Palmer’s career has included a wide range of roles, including technical, sales, account management and training, with companies including ATS Euromaster, Arvin Meritor, Parts Alliance Group and Euro Car Parts.
This impressive skillset, coupled with established relationships with bus operators, puts Sean in a unique position; a fact not lost on Mellor General Manager, James Vince: “I’ve known Sean for a number of years, after dealing with him at his previous employer, I found that his constructive sales approach and genuine interest in customers’ requirements is a skill-set that we look for in our sales team, and attributes that the Mellor sales team prides itself on,” he said, “Bus operators face a unique challenge today, yet I believe Mellor can provide a solution.
“Our size-appropriate vehicle range offers a new way to deliver operational advantages, and to make existing routes viable again. I look forward to hearing how Stephen, Jane and Sean can support and engage with bus operators in looking at maximising a vehicle’s capacity while reducing operating costs, something for which our Strata range and Orion Stage model were designed.”
About Mellor
Rochdale-based Mellor is a leading manufacturer of size-appropriate buses to suit a wide range of operations. Boasting a 60-year history, Mellor is well-established as a key vehicle manufacturer in the North-West with a 27,000sq.ft. manufacturing facility comprising state-of-the-art production equipment and processes.
Three production lines, 500-vehicle per year capacity, 130-strong skilled workforce. Product range includes Strata, Orion, Tucana and Pico. Low-floor, zero-emissions electric and accessible model variants with a wide range of seating options.
Mellor is part of the Woodall Nicholson group of companies.Woodall Nicholson comprises Mellor, Coleman Milne, VCS, CM Specialist Vehicles, Treka Bus, Binz International and JM Engineering.
