TRACTION IN FORWARD AND REVERSE FOR 1/2 TON TO CLASS 8 VEHICLES
• UTILITY TRUCKS • FIRE TRUCKS • AMBULANCES • SCHOOL BUSES • PLOW TRUCKS • TRACTOR TRAILERS
800-766-7768
www.onspot.com
*Approved for use in states with chain control areas See Us At Booth 234
our evolution.” For example, employee feedback has led to eliminat- ing wasteful motion in the plant and reconfiguring the line to create more open spaces that allow additional workers at stations to increase both quality and effi- ciency. Rather than invest in excessive brick and mor- tar, Girardin has combined operations to cut stations and increase volume. Efficiencies have also reached the buses themselves, as Steve discussed how customers and workers recommended the installation of automated entrance doors rather than the manual variety to speed up the manufacturing process and eliminated wasted employee motion. In fact, Girardin Minibus was the first school bus manufacturer to integrate the electric entrance door as standard equipment.
While Steve leads the manufacturing operations
at Micro Bird, his brother, Dave, is responsible for the family’s two Blue Bird dealerships and fleet operation that operate in both Québec and Ontario. Ironically, the Ontario dealership, which opened eight years ago, is located in the old Canadian Blue Bird factory in Brandford, Ontario. “Both Dave and Steve have the character traits that their father crafted his early successes on. Tey are professionals who strive to be the best at what they do,” Stock said. From a young age, their experiences in nearly every- thing the business had to offer also exposed Steve and Dave to the realities they would face at multiple levels within the organization, allowing them to build lasting relationships with their employees. “Some employees, at one time or another in our
QUALITY, RELIABILITY, AVAILABILITY AND VALUE FOR YOUR BUS FLEET.
TRP®All-Makes Promise. It’s the promise of performance you can rely on when the road ahead is unreliable. It means a wide selection of dependable replacement parts for all makes of buses and motorcoaches. And it is where you’ll find an industry-leading warranty and nationwide availability that keeps your business moving forward.
Search for TRP parts on
TRPParts.com or visit your nearest authorized TRP retailer.
Image depicts a representation of the product. Actual product may differ. TRP is a registered trademark of PACCAR INC.
See Us At Booth 239 60 School Transportation News • JULY 2016
career, were our bosses and we respected that chain of command,” Steve Girardin said. Steve added that his and Dave’s upbringing also helped them prepare to deal with disaster, like the one that struck in 1999 when a tornado severely damaged the production plant as well as hundreds of newly manufactured buses that were staged for delivery. “Over the course of 50 years, there are many chal- lenges a company like ours faces. Some are definitely more spectacular and stand out more than others,” Steve Girardin said. “However, the most important challenge we continually face is change. Change is the only constant in our past and we envision it will be an important part of our future. We believe change creates the opportunities for us to further the boundaries of innovation and evolution. In the end, our ability to overcome challenges as a team only ensure a bright future for the next 50-plus years.” Furthermore, according to Steve, who took the reins
of Girardin Minibus as president in 2003, “School buses have always been part of mine and my brothers’ lives as our father was in the business before we were born. In
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
