VDL Groep of Eindhoven has in recent months been engaged in discussions with the works councils, the Dutch public employment service (UWV) and the unions to find a solution to the significant decline in demand in the bus and coach market. To this end, an agreement was reached last week on a social agreement that will go into effect from 1 May 2013 for all 550 employees of VDL Bus Modules and VDL Bus Valkenswaard. Unfortunately VDL was not able to come to terms with the trade unions, but agreement was reached with the works councils of both bus companies. Arrangements have been made that establish a good balance between income and job security on one hand and flexible deployment of the employees on the other. With the implementation of this scheme, jobs will be retained and the existing knowledge and skills will not be lost.

Publication date: 25-4-2013

The Hannover Trade Fair will take place in Hannover (Germany) from Monday 8 to 12 April 2013. VDL Groep is represented during this subcontracting fair within the NEVAT collective. The central theme will be ‘Holland: Qualität mit Schwung’ (‘Holland: Quality with Oomph’). You can find the VDL Groep in Hal 4, stand D33.

Publication date: 27-3-2013

Considering the economic circumstances, 2012 was a reasonably good year for the VDL Groep, based in Eindhoven. The combined turnover rose by 2% from €1.719 billion in 2011 to a record level of €1.756 billion in 2012. This total includes turnover of €70 million from VDL Nedcar. Excluding this turnover, the total turnover of the VDL Groep would have been 2% lower than in 2011. The consolidated turnover for 2012 will come out at more than €1.600 billion, compared to €1.575 billion in 2011. The net result fell from €66 million in 2011 to €56 million in 2012. The number of employees rose from 7,135 at the end of 2011 to 8,757 at the end of 2012 (including VDL Nedcar).

Publication date: 14-3-2013

Arriva has placed an order for more than 80 VDL right-hand drive SB-200 chassis for delivery in 2013 through VDL’s UK dealership, Arriva Bus and Coach. This order follows an order for a similar number of VDL DB-300 double-deck chassis which are currently in build for Arriva.

Publication date: 7-3-2013

Belgian passenger transport company De Lijn has ordered 27 Citea SLFs and 41 VDL MidCity dial-a-ride buses from VDL Bus & Coach. “We are proud De Lijn chose us as their supplier and are confident our buses will make a very positive contribution to the sustainability and profitability of the De Lijn fleet. VDL Bus & Coach is the only remaining bus and coach manufacturer that carries out its production exclusively in Western Europe. This order is therefore also very important for employment in Belgium,” said Willem van der Leegte, managing director VDL Bus & Coach Belgium. All the vehicles will be built to the Euro 6 standard. The MidCity dial-a-ride buses will be delivered by April 2014 and the Citeas by the end of July 2014. The vehicles will be put in service on various lines in Flanders.

Publication date: 13-2-2013

VDL seeks solution to retain employees in difficult times - Due to the sharp decline in the bus market, VDL expects to have too little work in 2013 to keep its two bus factories in Valkenswaard operating at normal capacity. So far this year there has been no significant upturn in incoming orders. Besides temporarily transferring employees to other VDL companies where possible, VDL would like to implement a short-time working scheme, but that is currently not an option in the Netherlands. Therefore, the company is talking with the works councils and trade unions in search of ways to temporarily deal with this downturn.

Publication date: 7-2-2013

His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange visited the VDL Groep in Eindhoven on Wednesday 6 February. The VDL Groep received the King Willem I Prize, presented by the Prince, on 8 May 2012.

Publication date: 6-2-2013