Category: Company

Motorcoach-specific EV Repower Kits Designed to Streamline EV Market Entry – Available from ABC Companies

WINTER GARDEN, Fla, Oct., 30, 2020 – ABC Companies, a leading provider to the motorcoach, transit and specialty passenger transportation market in the United States and Canada, will soon be the first to offer a motorcoach-diesel-to-electric-repower program for North American operators.

Together with Lightning eMotors, formerly known as Lightning Systems, the partners have created a five-step process for identifying, assessing and converting a wide range of “donor” diesel coach models that fit the criteria for fast-track battery electric conversion. The repower kits are engineered by Lightning eMotors and will be installed by ABC technicians. The program will launch under ABC Companies SVT (Specialty Vehicles and Technologies) division, underscoring the company’s focus on lowering EV market cost of entry barriers for coach operators.

“ABC Companies has a very long history of repower and refurbishment expertise, making conversions to battery electric power [...]

On behalf of the OEMs and operators who have volunteered their staff, resources and funds to make “Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness” (MR4A) in Washington, D.C. on May 13th a reality, the event committee has agreed to launch a “GoFundMe” campaign. The campaign is designed to receive support that has been offered by numerous suppliers and industry advocates to offset the incremental costs incurred to make this a no-cost event for operator participants.

Overwhelming positive response from industry operators, mushroomed the scope of the not-for-profit event quickly beyond what the all-volunteer committee team could finalize within a two-week window leading up to the May 13th rally, prompting the committee to secure a third-party media relations organization to augment efforts of all stakeholders including ABA and UMA. To date, thousands of dollars and man-hours have been generously donated by the self-formed planning committee. Additionally, a collective, herculean media relations outreach has focused on local, state and national media [...]

Drivers Meet Up at Regional ABC Locations.

Independent motorcoach operators are meeting up at ABC Companies’ regional locations in Minnesota and Florida this week to caravan toward Washington, D.C. They will join over 500 motorcoach operators from all 50 states on May 13 for a rolling rally around the U.S. Capitol and National Mall to remind Members of Congress and the Trump Administration that the industry needs directed federal assistance.

In a show of rolling unity, independent motorcoach operators began banding together today to move out in unison as they trek toward the nation’s capital. In St. Paul, Minnesota, a caravan of 18 buses kick-started the event with a “drive-by” of the Minnesota State Capitol to create awareness with state and local representatives. Regional operators will also assemble at ABC Companies’ Winter Garden, FL facility, Tuesday May 12th at 5:30am, where the local police department will escort 20+ buses onto Florida’s turnpike. The caravan, led [...]

After seeing and listening to so many small business owners devasted by the COVID pandemic, ABC Companies was inspired to create a concept that would help them have a big voice with government. What initially began as a proposal shared with ABA and UMA, later married up with a very similar vision shared by the Ohio Motorcoach Association and the MR4A (Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness) movement was born. Other key contributors including DATTCO and DC Trails quickly jumped onboard and helped to formulate ideas and strategize how bring the biggest industry social media “meet up” in history to life.

“The event coordination is being led by an all-volunteer group of individuals from multiple disciplines within the industry”, said Thom Peebles, Vice President, Marketing, ABC Companies. “When Roman Cornell (ABC President and Chief Commercial Officer) and I first developed the concept, it was simply to help our industry get back on the road. ABC and the [...]

Hundreds of motorcoaches representing 3,000 motorcoach companies across the United States and their 100,000 employees will be rolling into the nation’s capital on May 13 to support awareness of the industry’s role as a critical component of the country’s infrastructure. Motorcoaches do everything from evacuating victims of hurricanes and wildfires to
transporting thousands America’s military troops all around the nation. Under the banner, Motorcoach Rolling for Awareness, these vehicles will circle Washington, D.C. as a moving rally, bearing messages that explain the importance of the industry and ask Congress and the White House to extend economic relief to motorcoach companies. The event is jointly organized by the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association.

This is a positive event showcasing how the nation’s motorcoaches move America.

“Our ask is simple,” Jeff Polzien of Red Carpet Charters said. “The U.S motorcoach industry is requesting Congress put motorcoaches back on the road by making available $10 billion [...]

Introducing CLEANS Sanitization, Disinfection and Contact Limitation Products — Now Available.

As thousands of operators were forced off the roads in mid-March, ABC Companies turned its focus to shaping solutions that navigate the “how” of operating in this new reality. Putting effective safeguards and protocols in place designed to ensure the comfort and security of drivers and passengers will be paramount in the post-COVID environment. With the introduction of its new CLEANS (Contact Limitation & Eradication of Airborne Noxious Systems) program, ABC offers fleet owners a variety of products and services designed to thoroughly disinfect coaches and optimize cabin air quality while providing driver and passenger shielding and personal hygiene stations onboard fleet vehicles.

“As the economy restarts, demonstrating how operators can protect drivers and passengers will be a top priority in restoring traveler confidence”, says Thom Peebles, ABC Vice President of Marketing. “The new CLEANS suite of products and services gives fleet owners the [...]

From: Dane Cornell, Chief Executive Officer; Roman Cornell, President

RE: COVID-19 & CARES Act Update

To download letter click here

As a family owned and privately held business, ABC Companies recognizes the many hardships being put on our industry during this unprecedented time. While we continue work to safeguard our employees, customers and suppliers, we understand the challenge of simply staying abreast of the many changes impacting our business environment. With the funding that has become available through the CARES Act, we want to ensure that our industry and your business receives the share of support it deserves.

Just like you, we are analyzing the specifics of the CARES Act provisions. As detailed documentation becomes available, we encourage you to discuss and investigate the provisions of this Act with your legal, tax and accounting advisors before making any decisions. After our initial analysis, we have identified some areas of the Act we believe may be [...]

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact continue to evolve and develop, ABC Companies remains focused on the health and safety of our employees and our communities, as well as our commitment to our customers. We recognize the important role our locations and staff play in servicing your businesses throughout North America, and we want to share some of the steps we are taking as we navigate the fluid coronavirus situation together.

Keeping Our Facilities Open

We are following the protocols established for COVID-19, and are respecting all local government mandates while working to prevent any disruption in service to our customers.  While some employees will be working remotely, those roles which require on-site presence to support customer needs, will continue to work at our locations.  We will be taking recommended precautions in regards to social distancing and ongoing disinfecting and sanitizing. We want our employees, customers and visitors to feel as comfortable as possible [...]

Convenient Jersey City, NJ Location is Bigger, Better and Now Open for Business, Operators Welcome!

Winter Garden, FL, March, 2020 — A major renovation and expansion at ABC Companies Jersey City, NJ facility is attracting customers throughout the Northeast Corridor. Featuring 8 service bays, 2 paint booths, portable lifts, full dump and wash area, and onsite equipment and parts inventory, the newly redesigned facility sits on five acres and offers customers full equipment sales, service and body shop services. Additionally, a new 20,000 square foot parts warehouse with parts sales counter offers OEM and aftermarket options for Van Hool and other popular makes and models.  Backed by ABC Parts Source, over 200,000 individual parts are available for transit and coach needs. An inventory of new Van Hool coaches including the restyled 2020 Van Hool CX45 and CX35, as well as an expansive inventory of popular preowned motorcoach makes and models will be available on site [...]

ABC Companies has redesigned and updated its corporate website, abc-companies.com. The site has been completely rebuilt to provide an improved user experience while making valuable information easily available to existing and potential customers.  Improved search capabilities, navigation, available data and more are a result of customer feedback and digital best practices.  The website will also highlight all ABC Companies product and service offerings.  “Key Information on all functional areas of ABC operations including new and pre-owned equipment sales, ABC Service, ABC Parts Source, ABC CustomerCare, ABC Financial and more can be found on our new site”, stated Thom Peebles, Vice President Marketing, ABC Companies. “Our goal is to provide the best digital experience and quick access to critical information that our customers use and have requested, all in a format that is mobile-friendly, to optimize visitor access to all ABC resources”, added Peebles. 

Visitors to the new site can expect fast access to comprehensive [...]