Coventry-based PEL, which designs and manufactures steering systems for a wide range of vehicles, is looking to expand its presence in the
European bus market. Pictured is Kevin Humphrey, PEL's technical director.

Ian Palmer, sales and marketing director at the company formerly known as Pailton Engineering, said: “The UK has a well-deserved reputation for engineering excellence, and we are proud to be keeping that reputation alive by designing engineering solutions for European bus and coach companies.

“The European bus and coach market is much bigger than UK’s and it is enjoying a steady growth — especially with regulations such as Euro 6 about making vehicles more environment-friendly.”

Mr Palmer said that it made sense for PEL to expand into Europe because the business is already the market leader in its field in the UK. PEL already has more than 90% of the market for supplying steering systems to bus and coach manufacturers in the UK. Its client base includes Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus in the coach and bus sector and it exports to more than 30 countries.

Mr Palmer said that the company recently designed a bespoke steering system for a tourist shuttle bus serving Mont Saint-Michel in Northern France; due to the narrow roads, the bus was designed with two ‘fronts’, allowing it to be driven back and forth without being turned around. The steering system was crucial to its success.