NEWS

Pictured outside the newly expanded JAQ Group facilities in Randalstown is Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, and Managing Director, Connor Martin. An innovative Northern Ireland e-commerce fragrance company is creating dozens of new jobs after significantly expanding its manufacturing and logistics operations in Randalstown, County Antrim. The JAQ Group has invested in a major extension of its facilities at the Craigstown Industrial Estate to meet

John McClintock and Pamela Steele from Northern Regional College; Patrick McNeill, former FutureMakers Academy participant and Clarke employee; MTF chairman David Watson; Logan Godfrey, past FutureMakers Academy participant and Wrightbus employee; Donna McCullough from Northern Regional College; and Donna Morrison from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council A fully funded skills programme aimed at helping people into sustainable employment is offering a new route into manufactur

Wrightbus CEO Axel J. Maschka meeting staff The newly appointed CEO of zero-emission public transport pioneer Wrightbus has brought together all 2,000 members of staff to share his strategic vision for the year ahead. Axel J. Maschka, who joined the Ballymena-based manufacturer from Hyundai Mobis at the beginning of December, addressed the workforce during a mass meeting on Wednesday (10 December). He opened by thanking employees for their contribution throughout 2025 but cau

(L-R): Mick Campbell, Wrightbus Head of Sales (Key Accounts); NCT representatives Andy Thompson; Rob Sutcliffe; Anthony Carver-Smith; and David Conway; and John McLeister, Wrightbus MD of Sales for UK and Ireland. Ballymena-based manufacturer Wrightbus has completed six new ultra-low emission StreetDeck Ultroliner buses destined for the Midlands, following a partnership with Nottingham City Transport (NCT). The vehicles were recently inspected by NCT representatives during a

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Invest Northern Ireland CEO Kieran Donoghue have welcomed confirmation that Boeing and Airbus have completed their long-awaited acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems — a move set to reshape Northern Ireland’s aerospace landscape and strengthen its global position. The deal, finalised on Monday 8 December 2025, brings two of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers directly into Northern Ireland’s engineering ecosystem, including the Bel

New Chief Executive of Wrightbus, Axel J. Maschka Zero-emission transport manufacturer Wrightbus has announced Axel J. Maschka as its new Chief Executive, marking a significant moment in the Ballymena-based company’s continued growth on the international stage. Maschka, an accomplished senior executive with decades of experience in the global automotive supply chain, joins Wrightbus after holding top roles at Hyundai Mobis, Valeo, Volvo, Continental, Leclanché, Bosch and Merc

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales World-leading zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has capped its most successful year to date with another major international accolade — this time for innovation in mobility at the ADS Federal Conference in Germany. The Ballymena-based firm was recognised for its significant advances in hydrogen technology, including its record-breaking fleet currently operating across Germany. The latest honour joins a growing collection of awards presente

NewPower, the repowering division launched by Ballymena-based zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus in 2024, has announced a groundbreaking EV-to-EV Repower agreement with leading operator Metroline. The deal marks the first time NewPower will upgrade an existing electric fleet with state-of-the-art EV technology, positioning the company at the forefront of Europe’s transition to greener public transport. Under the contract, 28 Metrodecker electric buses—previously hindere

A County Antrim engineering company has been fined £10,000 after a worker suffered severe foot injuries during an unsafe lifting operation at its Coleraine premises. Maine Surface Finishing Ltd was sentenced today at Laganside Crown Court, Belfast, after earlier pleading guilty to a single health and safety offence following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). The court heard that the incident took place on 29 August 2023, when an

The new Generation 2 Electroliner built by Wrightbus in Ballymena. Ballymena-based manufacturer Wrightbus has launched its most efficient battery electric bus to date, marking another major step in the company’s drive to decarbonise public transport. The new Generation 2 Electroliner boasts significant improvements in range, charging speed, battery life and efficiency — the result of a multi-million-pound in-house battery development programme. The cutting-edge model is alrea

Deputy First Minister Little-Pengelly with Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales Zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has showcased its dramatic revival and global success story to Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, during a visit to the company’s Ballymena headquarters. The visit on Wednesday offered an insight into how the company has transformed from administration just six years ago into a global powerhouse of green transport innovation. Since 201

The new Wrightbus StreetDeck Ultroliner model, built in Ballymena, entering service on the Isle of Man The Isle of Man’s public transport network is set for a major upgrade as six new cutting-edge diesel buses built by Wrightbus prepare to enter service, replacing vehicles that have been serving the island’s communities for up to 14 years. The new StreetDeck Ultroliner models, designed and manufactured by the leading Ballymena-based engineering firm, will join the Bus Vannin

(L-R): Erhan Eren, Managing Director Europe at Wrightbus; Max Nastold, CEO of Kazenmaier Leasing GmbH; Tobias Fräde, Business Development Manager Trucks/Buses at Kazenmaier Leasing GmbH; Gregor Creslovnik, Sales at Wrightbus. World-leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus has strengthened its foothold in Germany by joining forces with renowned leasing firm Kazenmaier, in a move designed to accelerate the transition to zero-emission public transport across the country. The partnersh

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MP Jim Allister and MLA Timothy Gaston welcomed to Moore Concrete, Ballymena, by founder and director...

Wrightbus chief executive Jean-Marc Gales North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew has escalated calls for urgent government action to safeguard...

Eleven months in development – Wrightbus‘ first zero-emission truck conversion – a 19-tonne twin-axle DAF World-leading bus manufacturer...

Wrightbus welcomed 47 new apprentices to the Ballymena manufacturing facility. World-leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus has welcomed 47...

CGI of JAQ Group’s proposed new £11 million fragrance manufacturing facility on Moorfields Road, Ballymena. In a transformative...

Uform Leads on Sustainable Manufacturing with New Solar Project In a significant step towards sustainable manufacturing, Uform, a leading...

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir pictured with Wrightbus Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Director Sarah Schafer and Dr. Andy Harris,...