Solaris Bus & Coach has received the prestigious award Global Market Champion of the Year 2018, granted by Emerging Europe, a London-based think-tank committed to boosting social and economic development of countries in Central and South-Eastern Europe.
As the organiser of the contest assures, Emerging Europe Awards are awarded so as to give recognition to those enterprises and organizations which contribute to further development of Central and South-Eastern Europe, as a region with outstanding social and economic potential.
“If emerging Europe is to truly reach its full potential, the region needs strong companies which are not only pre-eminent in their local markets, but are also strong on the international scene, selling or distributing their products to markets across the world”, said Richard Stephens, director of the Awards Programme.
During the awards ceremony, statuettes were handed out in several categories, such as research and development (“Research and Development Initiative of The Year”) and foreign investments (“FDI Project of the Year”). Solaris Bus & Coach received a prize in the category “Global Market Champion of the Year 2018” for its “successful operation and significant influence on the Polish and international scene”. When selecting the winner, the jury of the contest took into account such aspects as the employed numbers, the size of business, or the volume of production.
The Solaris factory near Poznań has already produced over 16,000 buses, which are in use in 32 countries and more than 700 cities across Europe. The company employs about 2500 people, and its Solaris Urbino 12 electric has won the Bus of The Year 2017 prize, which is the most prestigious trophy awarded in the bus sector. It is important to add that for the first time the prize went to a bus manufacturer in this part of Europe; also, for the first time it was received by an electrically-propelled vehicle.
“We are very glad to receive such a prestigious award. We are proud that Solaris is a brand enjoying global recognition and appreciation. The statuette “Global Champion of the Year” is a wonderful confirmation of that fact, placing us in the elite group of top European enterprises, which includes such brands as Amazon or Siemens. This is an exceptional year for our company, which has become the European leader on the market of e-mobility and low- and zero-emission vehicles. In 2017, we exported more than 70% of our total sales”, Dariusz Michalak, Vice-CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. said while accepting the prize.
Information Solaris
Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. is one of the leading producers of city and intercity buses in Europe. It focuses in particular on the development of zero-emission vehicles, i. e. electric and hydrogen buses as well as trolleybuses. This has resulted in the widest zero-emission product range in the European market and a leading position in this segment with a market share of 15.2%. Nearly 25,000 Solaris vehicles have been delivered so far and they ply the streets in 850 towns and cities across 33 countries located throughout Europe as well as beyond it. Solaris is part of the Spanish CAF Group (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) S.A. From conception, to the design and manufacturing phases, all Solaris buses are produced in Poland. Moreover, all activities undertaken by the manufacturer are in line with the brand’s mission, which is reflected in the motto “We are changing the image of public transport”. Solaris also actively partners with public transport operators and provides them with comprehensive support in their transition to zero-emission mobility.
Additional information
Mateusz Figaszewski
E-mobility Development & Market Intelligence Director
mateusz.figaszewski@solarisbus.com
