Welcoming Leonard Bus Sales to the Garden City Park business community were local leaders, including State Senator Jack Martins, Assemblyman Edward P. Ra, Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello, District 6 Councilwoman Dina Giorgio, District 5 Councilwoman Lee Seeman, members of the New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce including President Mark Laytin, and a representative for Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos among others.  (Photo: Pat Leonard of Leonard Bus Sales is seen here cutting the ribbon to officially open the new Leonard Bus Sales Type-A school bus facility in Garden City Park.)

“We were truly honored and humbled by the outpouring of support,” said company President Mike Leonard.  “After seeing the enthusiasm and welcoming nature of our local elected officials and business community, it was clear we made the right decision to open our new Type-A school bus facility in Garden City Park.”

The 4,500 square foot Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. facility is located at 202 Thorens Ave in Garden City Park, N.Y.  It will include technicians specializing in the service and customer support of Trans Tech’s Type-A school and commercial buses. The facility will also be home to expert parts and sales professionals.  The maker of the Type-A school buses, Trans Tech, is located in Warwick (Orange County, N.Y.).  Trans Tech is also New York’s only school bus manufacturer.

“As we look to grow our Type-A school bus market it continues to be essential to have a convenient location that our customers can go to for their service, parts and sales needs,” said Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. President Mike Leonard.  “We are excited about growing our Type-A school bus business here in Garden City Park and we look forward to continuing Leonard Bus Sales Inc.’s long tradition of outstanding corporate citizenship.”

Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses.  A third generation family-owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has nearly 50 years of experience providing cost-saving fleet management and award-winning customer support services.  Leonard Bus Sales is the exclusive distributor of Trans Tech Bus in New York State.  The company is headquartered in Deposit, NY and operates additional facilities in Bergen, Rome, Saratoga Springs and now Garden City Park.  www.leonardbus.com

Trans Tech Bus is a manufacturer of industry-leading Type-A school buses. Offering a family of single and dual wheel models, Trans Tech Bus is known for its innovative and fuel-efficient conversion designs. With a wide array of versatile floor plans the company is able to meet ever-changing customer demand.  Trans Tech Bus is a division of Transportation Collaborative Incorporated located near the New York metropolitan area in Warwick, NY and New York’s only school bus manufacturer.  www.transtechbus.com

Pat Leonard of Leonard Bus Sales is seen here cutting the ribbon to officially open the new Leonard Bus Sales Type-A school bus facility in Garden City Park.

Leonard Bus Sales President, Mike Leonard is seen here greeting Councilwoman Lee Seeman and Dina De Giorgio.

Assemblyman Ed Ra seen here with Leonard Bus Sales President Mike Leonard as he receives a certificate commemorating the company’s grand opening on May 9th.

Senator Martins presented Leonard Bus Sales President Mike Leonard a resolution recognizing the company’s grand opening and welcoming them to Garden City Park.

(Left to Right) John Corr, Owner Trans Tech; Mike Leonard, President Leonard Bus Sales; John Phraner, President/CEO Trans Tech; Brian Barrington, National Sales Manager
Trans Tech.

“It’s an exciting time at Leonard Bus Sales, as we continue to grow and improve our business,” said Leonard Bus Sales President Mike Leonard. “We could not ask for a more qualified person than Todd Bushnell as our Chief Financial Officer.”

In the role as CFO, Todd will be responsible for the overall leadership, oversight, planning and direction of the financial matters of Leonard Bus Sales and related companies.  Todd lives with his family in Endwell, N.Y., and officially joined the Leonard team on Monday, April 22, 2013,

Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses.  A third generation family-owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has nearly 50 years of experience providing cost-saving fleet management and award-winning customer support services.  Leonard Bus Sales is the exclusive distributor of Trans Tech Bus in New York State.  The company distributes IC Bus and Champion product lines in Upstate New York.  The company is headquartered in Deposit, N.Y., and operates additional facilities in Bergen, Rome, Saratoga Springs and Garden City Park, N.Y.  www.leonardbus.com

“Ed brings extensive knowledge of both the region and the bus service industry,” said Leonard Bus sales President Mike Leonard.  “He is a great addition to our sales team, and will help us continue our commitment to deliver quality buses and unparalleled support to our current and future customers.”

Ed has a long history in the trucking and bus industry in Western New York.  Before coming to Leonard, he spent more than eight years with Rochester-based Hawk Frame & Axle in Rochester, where he served as the sales representative and shop foreman.  Prior to that, Ed worked for more than nine years in sales and leasing at Penske Truck Leasing and Ryder Transportation Services.

Ed, an Army veteran who resides in Rochester with his wife and four children, officially started with LBS on Friday, April 26, 2013.

Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses.  A third generation family-owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has nearly 50 years of experience providing cost-saving fleet management and award-winning customer support services.  Leonard Bus Sales is the exclusive distributor of Trans Tech Bus in New York State.  The company distributes IC Bus and Champion product lines in Upstate New York.  The company is headquartered in Deposit, N.Y., and operates additional facilities in Bergen, Rome, Saratoga Springs and Garden City Park, N.Y.  www.leonardbus.com

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Prices in effect beginning April 1, 2013 through the end of April unless otherwise specified or while supplies last.  Quoted prices do not include state and local sales taxes.  All rights reserved.  All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

“We could not be happier that our customers are among the first in the country to put these new IC Bus™ AE Series Type-A school buses to work,” said Leonard Bus Sales President Mike Leonard. “Our customers have been looking forward to getting these buses into service and taking advantage of the versatility and reliability that comes from the industry’s first fully integrated Type-A school bus.”

Photo caption:  Lancaster Central Schools Transportation Director Bob Mowry is seen here receiving the new AE Series from sales representative Dave Rindo of Leonard Bus Sales.

Among the first school districts in New York State to receive the new fully integrated AE Series by IC Bus™ was Lancaster Central Schools.

The fully integrated AE Series by IC Bus™ offers a longer life-cycle, which is good news for school districts looking to stretch every dollar.  The AE Series is extremely versatile with a seating capacity of between 14 and 36 passengers allowing school districts to service special needs children and get maximum use out of its world-renowned chassis.  The Maxxforce® 7 engine supplies 220 hp to the AE Series and is covered by an easy-tilt hood.  The AE Series comes standard with features like “leave no student behind post-trip inspection system” and soft-ride parabolic suspension.

“Like all our products, Leonard Bus Sales will provide experienced and professional staff to train school districts on the unique qualities of the fully integrated AE Series by IC Bus,” said Mike Leonard.  “Customers that purchase the fully integrated AE Series will get unparalleled customer support from our team and IC Bus™ at every stage of the vehicle’s life cycle.”

About IC Bus: IC Bus, LLC of Lisle, Ill., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navistar, Inc. (NYSE: NAV). The nation’s largest integrated manufacturer of school buses, IC Bus is a global leader in passenger protection, chassis design, engines and ergonomics. The company is also a producer of commercial buses. All IC Bus buses are sold, serviced and supported through a renowned dealer network that offers an integrated customer program encompassing parts, training and service. Additional information is available at www.icbus.com.

Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses.  A third generation family-owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has nearly 50 years of experience providing cost-saving fleet management and award-winning customer support services.  Leonard Bus Sales is a leading-distributor of IC Bus^TM brand buses, Trans Tech and Champion.  The company is headquartered in Deposit, NY and operates four additional full-service facilities in Saratoga Springs, Rome, Bergen and Garden City Park, NY.  www.leonardbus.com

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The award was presented to Leonard Bus Sales at the 2013 annual IC Bus dealer meeting held in Philadelphia last month.

“It was truly an honor to accept IC Bus’s Pursuit of Excellence award on behalf of the entire Leonard Bus Sales team,” said company President Mike Leonard.  “The success of our company is the direct result of the hardworking women and men that dedicate themselves every day to not only being the best, but most importantly doing what’s best for our customers.”

Photo Caption: (Left to Right) Leonard Bus Sales President Mike Leonard, General Manager Frank Continetti, and Operations Manager Chris O’Hara.

The Pursuit of Excellence awards are based on dealer performance in several key areas in 2012, including growing market share and exceeding annual sales plans.  In addition, dealers were required to meet a customer satisfaction index threshold as well as meet community service requirements in order to be eligible to receive recognition.

“These awards are given to dealers that share in our commitment of going the extra mile,” said John McKinney, president, IC Bus. “In addition to providing great service and products, our dealers are also dedicated to the success of their customers and their local communities.”

“IC Bus continues to lead the school bus industry by having not only great products but also the industry’s strongest dealer network,” said McKinney.  “On behalf of everyone at IC Bus, I offer congratulations to our top performers of 2012.”

In addition to the Pursuit of Excellence award, Leonard Bus Sales also earned the Quota Buster and Elite Share awards for 2012.  The Quota Buster award is given to those dealerships who exceed annual sales goals.  The Elite Share award is given to those dealers who have secured a majority of the market share within a specific sales territory. Leonard Bus Sales was the only dealer in the Eastern Region to earn this award in 2012.

About IC Bus: IC Bus, LLC of Lisle, Ill., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navistar, Inc. (NYSE: NAV). The nation’s largest integrated manufacturer of school buses, IC Bus is a global leader in passenger protection, chassis design, engines and ergonomics. The company is also a producer of commercial buses. All IC Bus buses are sold, serviced and supported through a renowned dealer network that offers an integrated customer program encompassing parts, training and service. Additional information is available at www.icbus.com

About Leonard Bus Sales: Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses.  A third generation family-owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has nearly 50 years of experience providing cost-saving fleet management and award-winning customer support services.  Leonard Bus Sales is a leading-distributor of IC Bus^TM brand buses, Trans Tech and Champion.  The company is headquartered in Deposit, NY and operates four additional full-service facilities in Saratoga Springs, Rome, Bergen and Garden City Park, NY.  www.leonardbus.com

(The Trucker: LYNDON FINNEY)

By CLIFF ABBOTT
The Trucker Staff
3/25/2013

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Navistar President and CEO Troy Clarke opened his remarks at the 23rd annual Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association “Breakfast & Briefing” presentation at the Mid America Trucking Show  with a message for those who think Navistar is on the decline.

“Let me put the persistent rumor to rest,” he said. “Navistar is not going anywhere but up!”

Paraphrasing Mark Twain, he said; “News of our demise is greatly exaggerated.”

The company’s new chief operating officer inherited some unique issues, including EPA sanctions for failure to meet mandated emissions standards and board of directors’ conflict with mega-investor Carl Icahn.

Acknowledging the issues, Clarke quickly moved on to positive news from Navistar, noting that production of the company’s ProStar model with the Cummins ISX engine is currently ahead of schedule.

He enthusiastically announced that production of the ProStar model with its own 13-liter MaxxForce engine, revamped to utilize selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

Before moving on to issues facing the industry, Clarke thanked those “vendors and suppliers who have stood with Navistar through this transitional period.”

The rest of Clarke’s message was centered on current economic conditions.

“Uncertainty permeates our industry,” he said, “but we can only blame Washington so much. No business is immune to change.”

Pointing out that businesses must recognize change and adapt as possible, he spoke about four critical areas the industry must address in the future.

Fuel efficiency was first, with the statement “Whatever advances we make will never be enough. Diesel will continue to rise in price,” he said.

Explaining that further improvements in fuel economy will involve the entire vehicle rather than just the engine, he predicted that future gains will be incrementally smaller and will cost more to research and develop.

As for supply, Clarke predicted that the U.S. will overtake Saudi Arabia in petroleum production by year 2017.

Availability of diesel, however, won’t be an issue, since Clarke feels that natural gas will soon supplant diesel fuel to power America’s trucks.

“Just as the industry transitioned from gasoline to diesel fuel in the 50’s,” he said, “we will see a similar shift to natural gas in the near future.”

He cited fracking technology and the current boom in natural gas production as factors that will keep prices low and stable, attractive to carriers accustomed to wildly fluctuating diesel prices.

He cited availability of a viable fueling network as a barrier to adoption of natural gas in the industry, predicting that 10,000 refueling stations will be necessary to make the product viable for over the road trucking.

Clarke discussed the availability of drivers next, noting that the pool of available and ready drivers is dwindling, due in part to new regulations such as CSA. He also commented on trucking’s “social appeal,” noting that “driving a truck does not have the appeal among young people that it used to.”

He suggested that making equipment more “driver-centric” was a potential solution.

Regulation was on Clarke’s mind, too. He noted that emissions regulations have added $20,000 to the cost of a heavy-duty tractor, and warned of more stringent fuel economy mandates to come.

Clarke finished up with a review of current economic conditions, predicting that most issues will be resolved and predicting a robust second half of2013 for the trucking industry and those who supply it.

The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at editor@thetrucker.com.

Find more news and analysis from The Trucker, and share your thoughts, on Facebook.

“The DERA grant program does what we encourage schools to do, and that is replace their decade old buses with new, clean diesel buses,” said Mike Leonard, President of Leonard Bus Sales. “Today’s clean diesel buses are 20 times cleaner than the buses of ten years ago, and now operate with near zero emissions. We are very excited for our customers, who will use the EPA funds to replace the oldest bus in their fleet with a reliable and environmentally-sound clean diesel bus.”

Pictured above are Averill Park Central Schools Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Ouimet, Supervisor of Transportation Mark Premo, and Superintendent Dr James Hoffman who recently received four new buses from Leonard Bus Sales.

The Diesel Emission Reduction Act was reauthorized in January 2011 with a significant change, allowing the EPA to award rebates toward new buses. Compared to just a decade ago, today’s modern clean diesel buses have more efficient engines, more effective emissions control technology, and now also run on ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Each time a ten year old bus is replaced by a new, cleaner diesel bus, the emissions on that bus route are cut by 95%.

Over 1000 districts applied for the rebates, with three of the 30 winners from New York State. Leonard Bus Sales is working with Averill Park Central School District and Mechanicville City School District to get the new buses on the road.

About Leonard Bus Sales, Inc.: Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses. A third generation family-owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has nearly 50 years of experience providing cost-saving fleet management and award-winning customer support services. Leonard Bus Sales is a leading-distributor of IC BusTM brand buses, and several other lines. The company is headquartered in Deposit, NY and operates three additional full-service facilities in Saratoga Springs, Rome and Bergen, NY. www.leonardbus.com

“We are honored to be on state contract, and delighted to deliver these new IC Bus brand commercial buses,” said Mike Leonard. “We are proud to supply reliable, affordable and environmentally-sound vehicles.  And it’s also rewarding to see our buses going to help such a great cause.”

Saratoga Bridges purchased its new buses off of the state contract with the help of the Federal Transportation Administration’s 5310 grant program for adult transportation non-profits.   The program has made it possible for many ARC organizations in New York to invest in their transportation needs.

Saratoga Bridges Transportation Director Jon Ladd said, “These buses will help Saratoga Bridges fulfill our mission to provide resources that enrich lives within the community.”

The IC Bus HC Series Buses come in many different floor plan options, and can be purchased with wheelchair capability and without, depending on an organizations need.  The knowledgeable sales staff at Leonard Bus Sales can work with organizations to help them identify the right design, and answer question about the state contract and any federal grants that may be available.

About Leonard Bus Sales, Inc.: Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses.  A third generation family-owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has nearly 50 years of experience providing cost-saving fleet management and award-winning customer support services.  Leonard Bus Sales is a leading-distributor of IC Bus^TM brand buses, and several other lines.  The company is headquartered in Deposit, NY and operates three additional full-service facilities in Saratoga Springs, Rome and Bergen, NY.  www.leonardbus.com

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“This new location will be a central, one-stop-shop for all of our customers in the area,” said Joe Wolfe, products sales manager for Trans Tech’s school and commercial buses sold and serviced by Leonard Bus sales. “Trans Tech’s existing customers in the area will soon see the benefit’ of Leonard’s award-winning customer support.” (Joe Wolfe – left)

The 4,500 square foot facility, located at 202 Thorens Ave in Garden City Park, N.Y., will include technicians specializing in service for Trans Tech Bus products, as well as parts and sales professionals. The location will open in the weeks ahead, once the Leonard team finishes readying the space for optimal customer service and support.

“We are happy to continue growing our relationship with the Leonard family in the distribution and support of our school and commercial buses,” said Trans Tech President John Phraner. “They are a market-leader when it comes to service and support, and all of our customers in the area will see that in the months ahead.”

About Trans Tech Bus: Trans Tech Bus is a manufacturer of industry-leading conventional and environmentally-friendly electric Type-A school buses. Offering a family of single and dual wheel models, Trans Tech Bus is known for its innovative and fuel-efficient conversion designs. With a wide array of versatile floor plans the company is able to meet ever-changing customer demand. Trans Tech Bus is helping bring green solutions to the school bus market by introducing the 52 passenger zero-emissions eTrans. Trans Tech Bus is a division of Transportation Collaborative Incorporated located near the New York metropolitan area in Warwick, NY and New York’s only school bus manufacturer. www.transtechbus.com

About Leonard Bus Sales, Inc.: Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses. A third generation family-owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has nearly 50 years of experience providing cost-saving fleet management and award-winning customer support services. Leonard Bus Sales is a distributor of Trans Tech Bus in the NYC area, and of several other bus manufacturer lines in Upstate New York. The company is headquartered in Deposit, NY and operates four additional full-service facilities in Saratoga Springs, Rome, Bergen, and now Garden City Park, NY. www.leonardbus.com

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