Alexander Dennis secures Scotland's largest R&D grant

Falkirk-based company will receive £7.3m from Scottish Enterprise to accelerate its low carbon vehicles programme

More than 100 new jobs will be created at Scottish bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis after it secured the country’s largest ever research and development grant.

The Falkirk-based company will receive £7.3 million from Scottish Enterprise to accelerate its £31 million low carbon vehicles programme, creating 101 new jobs and securing 126 existing jobs.

The project aims to take advantage of the growing global demand for hybrid and electric buses and is fundamental to the company’s plans to double turnover by 2020 through new product development for UK and international markets.

Colin Robertson, chief executive of Alexander Dennis, said: “We look forward to local authorities and cities around the UK as well as abroad seizing the opportunity to introduce these next generation vehicles which bring massive benefits to passengers, city dwellers and the environment.

“This investment in new product development enables companies like our own to stay at the forefront of industry at home and overseas and will help us achieve our strategic goal of a £1 billion turnover by 2020.”

Alexander Dennis employs 2,300 people globally.