“We have learned a lot during this time,” he said. “We focused
on what we could focus on. We looked at customer feedback
regarding the Equess, as well as some other changes we have
wanted to make. We are excited to be making some of those
changes in the second and third quarters of 2020, which we
can announce soon. We will continue to ensure that ARBOC is
providing the market’s best vehicles.”
Spirit of Independence – Built on the fuel-effi cient Ford Transit
T350 Cutaway chassis, the Spirit of Independence has a 96-inch-
wide body, with a capacity of up to 15 ambulatory passengers or fi ve
passengers using wheelchairs. Occupants appreciate the superior
headroom and comfortable ride, as well as the visibility offered by
the large passenger windows. ARBOC built the low-fl oor vehicle
on a spring suspension using the same tried and true construction
methods they apply to all their products. The Spirit of Independence
is powered by a 3.5L V6 gasoline engine and six-speed automatic
transmission, which ARBOC says allows the bus to achieve a fuel
economy of 9 to 12 miles per gallon. It also features a 12-volt electrical
multiplex system from I/O Controls. The Spirit of Independence is
especially appealing because of its low cost of ownership – the lowest
operational cost of any ARBOC vehicle. Furthermore, its chassis can
be serviced at any Ford dealership.
Navigating the global pandemic
ARBOC, like every American manufacturing company, experienced
a signifi cant slowdown due to the COVID-19 crisis. Minix said the
ARBOC team spent their downtime focusing on ways the company
could improve its offerings when restrictions lifted.
For example, ARBOC launched its Spirit of Equess model in 2018
to acceptance and enthusiasm from its customer base. Still, Minix
said, the company has been carefully collecting feedback from its
customers, recording their recommendations.
Moving ahead
Minix said that further integration with NFI Group ® is a goal in
2020 and moving into 2021. It has been important, he said, to both
ARBOC and NFI that the parent group’s infl uence not fundamentally
change ARBOC’s way of doing business.
“Both teams want ARBOC to continue to do what ARBOC does
best, and what made it successful,” he said. “But, by that same token,
NFI Group offers many great tools and resources that ARBOC is using
to improve our business operations.”
Notably, Minix said, ARBOC is taking advantage of NFI Parts ® –
the parts point-of-purchase for the NFI Group’s expansive family
of transit and coach vehicles. By leveraging the organization and
throughput of NFI Parts, the ARBOC team is freed up to focus on
high-quality, safe bus building.
“Using NFI Parts for parts organization has opened up space in
our plant and allowed us to focus time and energy on our innovative
products,” he said.
Minix continued by reiterating his aim to improve ARBOC’s
operational effi ciencies wherever possible.
“As with any business, ARBOC does many great things – and
can always improve in certain areas,” he said. “My goal is to help
this team continue to do what they do well. Then, as we identify
shortcomings or areas needing improvement, my goal is to make sure
we allocate resources and attention to those areas in order to drive
that improvement.”
2018 – 3,000
ARBOC Specialty Vehicles sells
3,000th bus to Sarnia Transit.
2017 – NFI Group
ARBOC Specialty Vehicles becomes part of NFI Group.
2017
2018
2018 – Spirit of Equess
Spirit of Equess was introduced, a low-fl oor shuttle/
transit bus built on a purpose-built chassis.
16 | BUSRIDE.COM | MAY / JUNE 2020
2018
2019
2019 – 3,500
ARBOC Specialty Vehicles sells
3,500th bus to Republic Parking.