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- Category: Industry News
Limo Land, a Missouri-based builder of limousines, executive vans, and buses also known as Springfield Coach Group, has won an award for one of the top things made in the Ozarks. Recognized by the Springfield Business Journal, the company joins 15 other companies and manufacturers from Southwest Missouri, with a diverse group of products ranging from ice cream and beer to furniture and limousines. Each product was chosen to represent the area’s manufacturing community and showcase the best of Ozarks ingenuity. In addition, an award will be given for Plant Manager of the Year.
However, Limo Land is requesting help from the industry to earn the #1 slot. Operators can click this link, and then select Limo Land by hitting "Click here to vote for the 2024 Voter's Choice Award!"
“This award for coolest things made in the Ozarks is a great privilege and honor for many reasons, including bringing awareness to our industry and getting the community involved in our passion. The best part for me is sharing this experience with our employees and making sure they know they are appreciated and their work matters. This has been a great morale boost for all!” says Limo Land Vice President of Marketing Gary Spaniak III.
The Springfield Business Journal will host an event at the Barley House at Moon Town Crossing on February 29 at 5:30 p.m. to recognize the award winners. At the dinner, attendees are able to see the products and visit each of the 16 winning manufacturers, find out which product wins the Voter’s Choice Award, and discover which products were selected for special honors by the selection committee.
Visit limoland.com for more information.
[01.29.24]
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ABC Companies, a provider of motorcoach, transit, and specialty passenger transport equipment, announced that it will appoint Brenda Wordelman to senior vice president of national accounts. In the new role, Wordelman will oversee activities for key customer relationships throughout the United States and Canada. The move comes as part of the company’s strategic plans to expand support of its National Accounts portfolio. Wordelman has more than 25 years of executive experience, including an abundance of industry relationships, a deep understanding of marketing and communications, sales, and operations with a particular focus on key accounts throughout North America including Canada.
She has been active on key industry associations boards including the American Bus Association Board of Governors and the National Limo Association Board of Directors. Wordelman will report directly to ABC CEO Roman Cornell.
ABC Companies Senior VP National Accounts Brenda Wordelman
“Brenda brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a strong combination of leadership, product development and incomparable industry and customer-specific insight to the new role. Her first-hand experience leading through challenges and opportunities within our industry continues to accelerate ABC’s growth and leadership strategies,” said Cornell.
In other news, during a recent meeting in Belgium, Cornell and Van Hool CEO Filip Van Hool finalized details of continuing the existing long-term distribution agreement for Van Hool motorcoaches in the North American market through ABC Companies.
“It is amazing to see the synergies between the Cornell and Van Hool families,” said Cornell. “Both Fillip and I are the third generation of family-operated organizations that have embraced the approach of serving the customer first to create success that lasts. It is a great honor for both of us to carry on the traditions started by our grandparents and further solidified by our parents and their siblings ... The shared focus of the Cornell and Van Hool families has been the driving factor through some truly challenging times. Van Hool’s decision to take extraordinary measures to keep their plants running throughout the pandemic is a testament to their dedication to the North American market and customer base. Bold decisions like these allowed ABC to meet the needs of customers who added to their fleets even during the pandemic. This unique relationship allows Van Hool to focus on their core strength of engineering and building world-class motorcoaches, while the ABC team sells, markets, services, and supports the North American customer base, acting as an advocate for their needs.”
Van Hool CEO Filip Van Hool
Cornell further stated that over the past 24 months, ABC has grown their product portfolio, making electric versions of the Van Hool CX45 and TDX double deck, while vetting and bringing on several cutaway and passenger van suppliers. Further, building distribution partnerships with quality brands like Turtle Top, Frontrunner, Sunset, Coach & Equipment, and more has allowed them to reach new markets but also service existing customers with more vehicle options.
“With our current product portfolio, we can provide solutions for 8-81 passengers traveling across the country or town, and do so with ICE/combustion or zero emissions. We are proud of our expansion and growth as it allows us to better serve our markets and industries while bringing generations of dedication to our customers for years to come,” said Cornell.
Visit abc-companies.com for more information.
[01.26.24]
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- Category: Industry News
The Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association (GNJMA) has adopted its new name as the Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association (GNEMA) after members overwhelmingly approved the measure. The announcement was made on the association’s website earlier this month.
The 43-year-old association has grown from their roots as an Atlantic City-based organization for private bus companies—previously known as Atlantic City Bus Owner’s Association—and now boasts members from New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Maine. Their previous name change came in January 2004 when it became known as a statewide organization.
GNEMA’s President Tim Stout of Stout’s Transportation in Ewing, N.J., explained the move to Bus & Motorcoach News: “We are rebranding our name because our members that are part of our association are located throughout the Northeast, not just in the greater New Jersey region. It is similar to when the Atlantic City Bus Association members expanded into regions throughout the greater New Jersey area.” Stout has served as the association’s president since 2011.
In addition to the association’s advocacy and lobbying efforts on behalf of bus operators servicing the North Atlantic and beyond, they also hold several meetings and events during the year dedicated to industry education and networking. The next meeting will be their upcoming Spring Association Meeting this April 8-9 in Lahaska, Pa. (just north of Philadelphia), followed by their Fall Annual Meeting, scheduled for September17-19 at a to-be-determined location. The association will also host the American Bus Association’s Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) East meeting on November 13. Additional information is available about the events on their website at gnjma.com.
In the announcement, the association also noted that it would offer “benefits for members to align with their state, including providing significant influence when engaging with elected officials and politicians regarding our industry’s needs.”
The website currently remains unchanged at gnjma.com.
[01.23.24]