Wrightbus partners with Kazenmaier to drive zero-emission bus transition across Germany

(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 partnership will make it easier for operators to adopt hydrogen and battery-electric buses by combining Wrightbus’s pioneering zero-emission technology with Kazenmaier’s integrated leasing solutions and access to public funding.

With hydrogen and electric fleets already in operation with operators including Saarbahn, Cottbus, West Verkehr and Vestische, and a service station in Brühl, near Cologne, Wrightbus continues to expand its service footprint across Germany — a market the company views as central to its global growth strategy.

The agreement with Kazenmaier follows closely on the heels of Wrightbus’s recently announced partnership with Ferronordic for service and maintenance support.

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said the collaboration with Kazenmaier would help provide greater value for transport operators seeking to decarbonise their fleets.

“Wrightbus has a compelling offering for the German market, and we already have fleets of hydrogen and electric buses in operation, matched with on-site service and country-wide fleet support,” he explained.

“Now we have added further value by partnering with Kazenmaier to ensure operators can take advantage of competitive leasing solutions to help them make the switch to zero-emission technology.

“Wrightbus make the best buses on the market but we want to make sure we offer the best packages of service and support alongside.”

Kazenmaier CEO Max E Nastold said the partnership reflects a shared ambition to make sustainable public transport both technologically advanced and financially viable.

“Our partnership with Wrightbus is driven by a shared goal – to truly put the public transport transition into motion,” he said.

“We combine technological excellence with financial accessibility, turning sustainable mobility from a vision into reality on Germany’s roads. Together, we’re shaping the mobility transition – reliably, ambitiously, and with a passion for progress.”

Expanding success beyond the UK

Wrightbus, headquartered in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, was rescued from administration in 2019 with just 49 employees.

Since then, the company has undergone a dramatic transformation — now employing over 2,300 staff and supporting a further 7,500 jobs across its largely UK-based supply chain.

While best known for its cutting-edge buses, Wrightbus has broadened its business portfolio to include after-sales services, repowering divisions, depot charging solutions, alternative energy provision, and net-zero financing as part of its wider group operations.

“In a tough market we have thrived, creating thousands of jobs, bringing new levels of product quality to the bus market and delighting passengers,” Mr Gales added.

He highlighted Wrightbus’s £25 million investment in research and development, which has delivered a new coach, a 6x2 double-deck bus, and the rollout of a repowered truck — with growing orders across the UK, Germany, and Asia.

As Wrightbus continues to expand its European partnerships, its collaboration with Kazenmaier marks another major milestone in the company’s mission to lead the charge towards a cleaner, greener future for public transport.