Eight of the UK’s most respected coachbuilders have been awarded Iveco’s new Busmaster certification – marking the companies as experts in the field, and trusted and reliable providers of bodywork for the Iveco Bus product range – with seven of the eight receiving the accolade at Euro Bus Expo 2016.

The eight are the first UK companies to receive the honour, as the manufacturer marks the UK launch of its Busmaster advocate programme, which is already known and recognised across mainland Europe.

Abdi Ali, Product Manager, Iveco Bus UK, says: “The Busmaster accolade is both a reward for providing high-quality products to Iveco customers, and a seal of quality for the coachbuilder. Through the programme, Iveco Bus can drive customers to a network of qualified Busmaster coachbuilders when they’re looking for bespoke bodywork, and we congratulate the first eight UK companies to have passed the audit.

“Coachbuilders play an essential role in the passenger transport vehicle market as they represent nearly 50 per cent of minicoach and minibus sales across Europe. Naturally, we’re looking forward to receiving more applicants as the programme embeds itself in the industry.”

Representatives from seven of the eight Busmaster coachbuilders – Euromotive, EVM, GM Coachwork, Mellor Coachcraft, Minibus Options, Nu-Track and Stanford Coachworks – were all presented with a plaque by Abdi Ali and Stuart Webster, Managing Director Iveco UK & ROI, on the Iveco Bus stand at Euro Bus Expo, to mark the occasion. The eighth coachbuilder, Brian Noone, has already received its plaque.

Applicants to Iveco’s Busmaster programme undergo a stringent audit process, ensuring that only the finest coachbuilders can achieve the coveted accolade. During the audit, the companies are put through their paces in all areas of the coachbuilding process, including sales and aftersales support, parts availability and accuracy of engineering documentation.
Iveco’s auditors closely examine the applicant’s manufacturing processes, to ensure each Busmaster coachbuilder produces only the finest bodywork for Iveco vehicles, and offers a consistently excellent level of service to customers.

In return for their commitment to quality, Iveco works closely with its Busmaster advocates to further their business goals. The company also lists the advocates’ products online on a dedicated Busmaster webpage, which helps guide Iveco customers to a supplier that can meet their individual requirements.

As Busmaster advocates, the coachbuilders also enjoy a ‘direct line’ to Iveco’s technical support team, making their manufacturing processes even more efficient.
Iveco Bus intends to grow its presence in its many key markets through long-term partnerships with coachbuilders. This demonstrates its determination to strengthen its position as a major player in the passenger transport sector, both in terms of overall quality as a vehicle manufacturer, and in the quality of the available coachwork.
With these eight appointments, Iveco Bus now has 24 Busmaster-accredited coachbuilders across Europe.