Wrightbus opens offices in Abu Dhabi

The office, which will be headed up by Wrightbus International Director - Middle East, Paul Brannigan, will provide a springboard for the company’s business ambitions in the region.

It will add further global reach for Wrightbus International, who already have operations in India, Singapore and Hong Kong, in addition to their headquarters in Northern Ireland.

Located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and one of the fastest developing cities in the world.

Speaking at the official opening Managing Director of Wrightbus International, Damian McGarry said; “Wrightbus is one of the worlds’ pre-eminent bus manufacturers and our new offices here in Masdar gives us the perfect platform to showcase our wide product range and extensive capabilities to the entire Middle Eastern market.

He added, “Wrights Group have had trade links with the region since the 1970s and Masdar City represents the perfect office location for Wrightbus International as both Masdar and ourselves share the same core principles of smart technology and continuous product innovation in the field of low carbon transportation.”

“Our office is situated alongside some of the world’s leading technology companies in in Masdar City’s clean tech cluster. Siemens, Schneider Electric, General Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are among more than 130 companies registered within Masdar City’s unique dual investment and free zone. As a dynamic research and development hub, Masdar is structured to encourage knowledge transfer, market intelligence and specialized expertise and is seen as a hive of innovation in the transportation sector.”

“We are delighted to welcome Wrightbus International to Masdar City,” said Anthony Mallows, Director of Masdar City. “Wrightbus brings decades of experience and a commitment to innovation and technology that compliments the vision of Masdar City. With advancements in hybrid, low-carbon urban mobility driving urban sustainability agenda, the role of public transport will become ever more important not just in Abu Dhabi but across the region and the world.”

The flagship UK company’s establishment in Masdar City further strengthens economic ties between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Commenting on the launch, Dominic Jermey, the UK ambassador to the UAE said: “I am delighted to see this outstanding UK business extending its international reach with a new base in Abu Dhabi.

Wrightbus has been at the vanguard of technological innovation since its formation in 1946 and today continues to develop its capabilities in hybrid, flybrid and fully electric powered technology across its range of double deck, single deck and articulated buses and Rapid Transit Vehicles.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Arlene Foster said: “The strategic decision by Wrights Group in Ballymena to open an office in Masdar marks another significant milestone in the growth of this international firm. It follows advice and support offered by Invest Northern Ireland’s team of in-market experts who have been helping the company research opportunities in the region for a number of years, in coordination with support from the NI based team. This news underlines the importance of assisting ambitious companies, both large and small and across all industries, to grow worthwhile and, above all, profitable sales in international markets and the value of Invest NI’s In-Market Trade Advisory Service to strengthening our economy.”