Wrights deliveries for KMB this week

[randyrippley]

I don't know if anyone noticed this order back in October -
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/...rs-from-hong-kong-for-200-buses-37389325.html

Ballymena bus manufacturer Wrightbus has announced it has secured orders for more than 200 buses from Hong Kong in deals thought to be worth tens of millions of pounds.
The orders are good news for Wrightbus and its workforce and come days after the group company revealed a collapse in pre-tax profits in 2017 from £10.7m to £1.5m.

And the deals have been hailed as an example of the ability of exporters in Northern Ireland to secure orders in far-flung markets as Brexit draws closer.

200 tri-axle Volvo double deckers with Wrights bodywork for KMB in Hong Kong.
Deliveries appear to have started this week: two were parked up on the A683 Bay Gateway tuesday morning, with another joining the M6 at J34 yesterday morning. There may well have been others.

Unlike the earlier Alexander orders for KMB, these appeared to be in full livery: red with white/silver decals/vinyls.

I can't help feeling that's one heck of a fast turnround time - roughly nine weeks from announcement of order to first delivery. Were Wrights that short of work?

 

[MotCO]

I can't help feeling that's one heck of a fast turnround time - roughly nine weeks from announcement of order to first delivery. Were Wrights that short of work?

I seem to recall that Wrights were a bit light in orders following the completion of the Borismasters.

 

[randyrippley]

another one heading down the M6 this morning

 

[LOL The Irony]

Why are they sending them via the mainland? Can car transporters not dock at Belfast or Larne?

 

[Mwanesh]

Saw one down the M5 by Strensham services on Friday going south.It had full KMB colours.

 

[randyrippley]

Why are they sending them via the mainland? Can car transporters not dock at Belfast or Larne?

Not many car transporters running between Ireland and Hong Kong, even if they chartered one all 200 buses would be nowhere near filling it - and anyway Wrights will want them shifted as soon as they're built.
I also doubt if there are many dual purpose RoRo/container dual purpose ships on the route, which is what they'll go on.
Anyone know which port they are using? Southampton or Felixstowe? Presumably Liverpool isn't an option