Pelican Breaks Ground on Major National Parts Hub to Support Rapid Yutong Fleet Growth

Purpose-built £7.5 million parts distribution centre will strengthen aftermarket support as Yutong fleet expands across the UK and Ireland

Pelican Bus + Coach has officially begun construction of a major new National Parts Distribution Centre, marking a significant investment in its long-term support network for Yutong bus and coach operators across the UK and Ireland.

The new purpose-built facility will provide 40,000 square feet of warehouse space and is expected to stock more than £7.5 million worth of Yutong parts when operational, ensuring faster access to critical components while supporting the continued expansion of the manufacturer's growing vehicle fleet.

Investment Designed for Future Growth

The development comes as Yutong's presence across the UK and Ireland continues to accelerate, with more than 2,500 buses and coaches already in operation and fleet numbers increasing by around 1,000 vehicles annually.

Pelican says the new warehouse has been designed not only to meet current demand but also to accommodate future growth, including aftermarket support for the forthcoming introduction of Yutong electric trucks into the UK market.

By significantly increasing stock capacity, the company expects to reduce parts lead times, minimise vehicle downtime and improve service levels for operators nationwide.

Boosting Operational Resilience

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by representatives from both Pelican Bus + Coach and Yutong, formally marking the start of construction on what will become the company's flagship logistics facility.

The warehouse will stand 12 metres high and has been designed with expansion in mind, allowing stock levels to increase as the Yutong fleet continues to grow over the coming years.

In addition to extensive warehousing, the development will include:

• A large commercial vehicle yard

• Dedicated Yutong-branded architectural features

• Space for future expansion

• High-capacity storage systems designed to improve inventory management

Supporting Operators Across the UK and Ireland

Chris Waine, Head of Aftermarket Parts at Pelican Bus + Coach, said the investment represents a major milestone in strengthening the company's customer support offering.

"This investment represents a major step forward in strengthening our aftersales operation and our commitment to delivering exceptional service for our customers. Our new warehouse will significantly increase our parts capacity and allow us to respond even faster to our customers' requirements.

"With more than 2,500 buses and coaches currently in service and increasing at a rate of 1,000 per year before we take into account the arrival of the Yutong electric truck, this new PDC will future proof our parts operation, strengthen operational excellence and ensure we can continue to deliver the high levels of support and responsiveness our customers expect."

Built with Sustainability in Mind

Alongside increased operational capability, the new distribution centre has also been designed with environmental performance as a priority.

Pelican is targeting a BREEAM Excellent sustainability rating, reflecting a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its expanding infrastructure while creating a modern, efficient logistics operation.

The facility is also expected to generate a number of skilled employment opportunities spanning warehouse operations, logistics, inventory management and customer support.

Strengthening Long-Term Customer Support

The National Parts Distribution Centre forms part of Pelican Bus + Coach's wider investment strategy aimed at strengthening its UK infrastructure as demand for zero-emission and low-emission public transport continues to rise.

With larger fleets requiring increasingly sophisticated aftermarket support, the new hub is expected to play a central role in maintaining vehicle availability, improving operational resilience and ensuring operators receive faster, more responsive service as Yutong's footprint across the UK and Ireland continues to expand.