Wrightbus growth surge puts Ballymena at centre of clean transport revolution

Inside Wrightbus during Manufacturing Month tour of its Ballymena site

Wrightbus’s rapid expansion and growing global footprint have been hailed as a major economic boost for Ballymena and Mid and East Antrim, as local manufacturing leaders and council representatives toured the company’s flagship production facility during Manufacturing Month.

The visit brought renewed focus to the scale of Wrightbus’s impact on the local economy, with the Ballymena-based manufacturer now producing around 1,300 buses each year, delivering 77% revenue growth and employing 2,300 people directly while supporting a further 7,500 jobs across its wider supply chain.

At a time when manufacturing jobs and industrial investment remain critical to Northern Ireland’s economy, the company’s continued growth is being viewed as one of the region’s strongest examples of advanced manufacturing success with international reach.

Manufacturing giant with global reach rooted in Ballymena

Representatives from the MTF ‘Making the Future’ Network joined Mid and East Antrim Borough Council officials during the visit to Wrightbus headquarters, where the company showcased the scale of its operations and ambitions for the future.

Wrightbus continues to compete internationally with its battery-electric Electrolyner and hydrogen-powered Hydroliner vehicles now operating across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

The company has become one of the leading names in zero-emission public transport, with around 90–95% of the buses it now produces powered by battery-electric technology.

Wrightbus also made history as the builder of the world’s first hydrogen-powered double-deck bus, helping place Ballymena firmly on the map in the global race towards decarbonised transport systems.

Ryan Black, Director of Growth and Major Projects at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, said the company represented “world-class advanced manufacturing with deep local roots”.

“Manufacturing Month provides a powerful opportunity to recognise businesses driving real economic change, and Wrightbus is a standout example,” he said.

Jobs, apprenticeships and skills driving local impact

(L-R) Dr Andy Harris – Head of Research and Data Analytics (Wrightbus); Connor O’Dornan - Senior Strategic Projects Officer (MEABC); Ursula O’Loughlin – Assistant Director (MEABC); Ryan Black – Director of Economic Growth and Major Projects (MEABC); Karen Hastings – Investment and Place Manager (MEABC); David Watson – Chair of the Making the Future Network and John McLeister – Managing Director of Sales UK and Ireland (Wrightbus)

The visit also highlighted the human side of Wrightbus’s expansion, with strong emphasis placed on skills development, apprenticeships and long-term career opportunities within the sector.

Among the examples showcased was that of John McLeister, who joined the company as a 16-year-old apprentice and now serves as Managing Director of Sales UK and Ireland.

Wrightbus currently has 94 apprentices across the business as it continues investing heavily in workforce development alongside technological innovation.

Speaking during the visit, Mr McLeister said the company remained proud of its Ballymena roots despite its growing international profile.

“It was a pleasure to welcome the MTF Network and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to Wrightbus during Manufacturing Month,” he said.

“There is no better time to showcase what our team delivers every day — from the engineers and technicians on the factory floor to the researchers pushing the boundaries of hydrogen and electric technology.”

He added:

“Wrightbus is proud to call Ballymena home, and this visit is a valuable reminder of how strong relationships help to support our continued growth.”

Clean economy ambitions move into sharper focus

Inside Wrightbus during Manufacturing Month tour of its Ballymena site

Clean transport innovation formed a major part of discussions during the visit, particularly as Mid and East Antrim Borough Council continues pursuing wider ambitions around green technology and the clean economy.

Council representatives pointed to the close alignment between Wrightbus’s work and the borough’s involvement in the HyTech NI programme, which focuses on developing hydrogen technologies and clean energy opportunities across Northern Ireland.

Mr Black said the scale of investment and ambition seen during the tour reinforced why the company was viewed as strategically important to the area.

“What we saw in the scale of ambition, the level of investment and the strength of talent, reinforces why Wrightbus is such an important asset to Mid and East Antrim,” he said.

“The skills, research capability and innovation on display reflect exactly the kind of high-value, future-focused activity Council is committed to championing.”

Research partnership highlights long-term innovation strategy

The visit also shone a spotlight on the long-running W-Tech Research Centre partnership between Wrightbus and Queen’s University Belfast.

The collaboration, which has been operating for more than 30 years, focuses on advanced engineering, data analytics and simulation technologies designed to support next-generation vehicle manufacturing.

Manufacturing leaders said partnerships between industry and academia remain vital in ensuring Northern Ireland can continue competing internationally in high-value engineering and clean technology sectors.

David Watson, Chair of the MTF Network, said the visit demonstrated the scale of advanced manufacturing activity happening locally.

“Visits like this are exactly what Manufacturing Month is about — getting behind the doors of businesses doing extraordinary things and understanding the scale of what is happening right here in Ballymena,” he said.

“Wrightbus is not just building buses; it is helping to define the future of clean transport, underpinned by a workforce, research base and supply chain that are firmly rooted in the local

community.”

Ballymena’s manufacturing reputation continues to grow

The visit concluded with renewed commitments between Wrightbus, the MTF Network and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to continue working together to strengthen manufacturing growth, innovation and skills development across the borough.

For Ballymena, the significance stretches beyond one company’s success.

As global demand for zero-emission transport accelerates, Wrightbus’s continued expansion is increasingly positioning the town as one of the UK and Ireland’s most important centres for advanced manufacturing and clean transport technology — bringing jobs, investment and international attention with it.