MTF Network, Council and Wrightbus unite to champion advanced manufacturing in Mid and East Antrim
Monday 18 May 2026
The MTF ‘Making the Future’ Network Chair and representatives from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council visited the Wrightbus manufacturing facility during Manufacturing Month championing and recognising the vital role advanced manufacturing plays in driving economic growth, innovation and skilled employment.
Wrightbus, headquartered in Ballymena, and with operations across the UK continues to compete and succeed on a global stage with its best-in-class vehicles. Their Electrolyner and Hydroliner are manufactured in Northern Ireland and in service throughout Europe and the Asia‑Pacific region exemplifying the global reach and impact of local innovation.
Speaking during the visit, Ryan Black, Director of Growth and Major Projects at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, said: “Manufacturing Month provides a powerful opportunity to recognise businesses driving real economic change, and Wrightbus is a standout example of world‑class advanced manufacturing with deep local roots.”
Wrightbus manufactures around 1,300 buses per year and has delivered 77% revenue growth. Employing 2,300 people and supporting a further 7,500 jobs across its supply chain underlines the tangible economic contribution advanced manufacturing continues to make to Mid and East Antrim and the wider Northern Ireland economy.
Reflecting on what was highlighted during the visit, Ryan Black added: “What we saw in the scale of ambition, the level of investment and the strength of talent, reinforces why Wrightbus is such an important asset to Mid and East Antrim. The skills, research capability and innovation on display reflect exactly the kind of high‑value, future‑focused activity Council is committed to championing.”
Clean transport innovation was a key focus of the visit, with Wrightbus showcasing its leadership in the transition to zero‑emission public transport. As builders of the world’s first hydrogen‑powered double‑deck bus, Wrightbus now produces 90–95% of its vehicles as battery‑electric, positioning it as a major force in decarbonising public transport at regional, national and international levels. This work aligns closely with the Council’s wider clean economy ambitions and its involvement in the HyTech NI programme.
Innovation through collaboration was also showcased, with the visit shining a light on the W‑Tech Research Centre partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, demonstrating how industry and academia have been working closely together for more than 30 years to deliver cutting‑edge research in areas including simulation, data analytics and advanced engineering.
David Watson, Chair of the MTF Network, said the visit captured the purpose of Manufacturing Month: “Visits like this are exactly what Manufacturing Month is about - getting behind the doors of businesses doing extraordinary things and understanding the scale of what is happening right here in Ballymena. Wrightbus is not just building buses; it is helping to define the future of clean transport, underpinned by a workforce, research base and supply chain that are firmly rooted in the local community.”
Manufacturing Month also provided a platform to celebrate the people behind the success. Wrightbus’s skilled workforce is central to the company’s growth and reputation, with John McLeister - who joined the company as an apprentice at 16 and is now Managing Director of Sales UK and Ireland - exemplifying the long‑term career opportunities available within advanced manufacturing.
Welcoming the visit, John McLeister said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the MTF Network and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to Wrightbus during Manufacturing Month. There is no better time to showcase what our team delivers every day - from the engineers and technicians on the factory floor to the researchers pushing the boundaries of hydrogen and electric technology.”
He added: “Wrightbus is proud to call Ballymena home, and this visit is a valuable reminder of how strong relationships help to support our continued growth. We currently have 94 apprentices across the business, reflecting our ongoing focus on developing skills and creating pathways into advanced manufacturing as the company continues to grow.”
Speaking on the value of collaboration, Ryan Black said: “We see Council’s role as a proactive partner working alongside Wrightbus as it grows, supports skilled employment and leads the transition to zero‑emission transport. We look forward to strengthening collaboration through the MTF Network and with Wrightbus to support our shared ambition.”
The visit reinforced a shared commitment between Wrightbus, the MTF Network and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to continue working collaboratively to support manufacturing growth, skills development and innovation, further positioning the Borough as a centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing and clean‑technology innovation.