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03.23.09

Press Releases

New Flyer Hosts United States Vice President Joe Biden and the Middle Class Task Force Town Hall Meeting

St. Cloud, Minnesota, March 23, 2009; New Flyer of America Inc. (“New Flyer”), a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc., the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit vehicles in the United States and Canada, hosted U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and the White House Middle Class Task Force town hall meeting at its St. Cloud, Minnesota facility on March 19, 2009.  Other dignitaries present at the event included Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood; Education Secretary Arne Duncan; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan; Agriculture Secretary Kenneth Vilsack, and former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale.

“We are very honored to have been selected as the company to host this important event,” said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Flyer.  “New Flyer believes that it is truly part of the solution to the economic situation.  Not only does New Flyer provide clean transportation to middle class families, it also provides good jobs.”  New Flyer employs over 650 people at its St. Cloud facility, which is an increase of approximately 20% over last year.  In addition, New Flyer has approximately 370 employees working at its plant in Crookston, Minnesota, which is approximately a 15% increase in employees since the beginning of 2009.

New Flyer was selected as the venue for the second meeting of the Middle Class Task Force because of its tremendous growth during this economic downtown, which is attributable to increased ridership and growing environmental concerns.  “Our customers, who are transit agencies across the country, are experiencing unprecedented growth in ridership and require environmentally-friendly, low-emission vehicles with advanced technologies, and they need these vehicles now,” said Soubry.  “New Flyer, as the largest heavy-duty transit vehicle manufacturer with the broadest product line, is well-suited to meet the needs of our customers.”

In his speech, U.S. Vice President Biden acknowledged various customers in attendance and spoke about the positive impact the stimulus would have on transit agencies.  Biden referred to New Flyer as a “pioneer” and “a model for other businesses.”  He also stated that New Flyer was an example of the future, laying the foundation for the 21st century.

Approximately 400 people attended the event.  As the backdrop for the meeting, four brand-new New Flyer hybrid buses built for Chicago, Albuquerque, Washington, D.C., and San Diego were on display.  During his speech, Mr. Soubry recognized the following customers in attendance:  Joyce Eleanor from Everett, WA; Marilyn Shazor from Cincinnati, OH; Brian Lamb from Minneapolis, MN; and Dave Tripp from St. Cloud, MN.

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