Tag Archives: Alexander Dennis

Highlights from An Evening with Colin Robertson – part 2

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Colin Robertson’s talk was honest, humourous and hard-hitting in parts but the Exchange members lucky enough to attend all found something relevant to their own business they could take away and apply.

Here the members share some of the highlights of the evening, and what they learned from Colin’s story.

John Gardiner of TALENTStream was busy taking notes to take back to action.
“I’m taking away very rich ideas you can apply directly in your business and know they are proven.”

Joanna Dunbar, Stewart First Aid, thought Colin had a brilliant story to tell.
“It’s fabulous to see something started in Scotland and going all over the world.”

Nicola Gillespie Syme, Gillespie Financial, loved the humour Colin used to get his message across.
“Colin’s fundamental belief and passion in everything he does is infectious.”

Robin Wornsop of Rabbie’s Trail Burners appreciated the information about how Colin turned the business around.
“The key things were communication around making sure every one knows where you are going and what your vision is to take the company forward so you get the company behind you – every one actually wants to be in a winning team.”

Learnings from the Annual Conference – Russell Wardrop

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Russell Wardrop compered the conference but still found time to listen and learn from the speakers he introduced. In this short video blog, Russell shares what he learned from each of the speakers, and what he plans to change in his business as a result.

Innovation shows up in different forms – Colin Robertson, Entrepreneur of the Year

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Innovation shows up in many different forms, says Colin Robertson of Alexander Dennis. In his case, reducing a bus size by 6 inches meant winning a $100 million contract.

Colin, the Exchange’s Entrepreneur of the Year, was speaking at the Annual Conference. In this short video, he talks about innovation and learning.

Colin’s top quote of the day? “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care!”

The Exchange in the Financial times

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Mixed Feelings About 2012 Prospects

Outlook Testing times, but some businesses are optimistic, writes Jonathan Moules in the Financial Times

The natural optimism of business founders is being tested as they look forward to a difficult year ahead.

Those who are able to export or who can demonstrate how their product or service can save customers money are the most bullish about 2012.

Others, facing a in customer spending and struggling to raise finance, are more bleak about their prospects. John Anderson, chief executive of the Entrepreneurial Exchange, a networking group for Scotland’s start-up community, said that even securing angel funding from wealthy individuals was difficult because those doing so were focused on propping up their existing investments.

Many companies have already trimmed their headcount and cut unnecessary costs, so it is hard to see where they will economise if trading conditions worsen, he added.

“The problem is that there is not a lot of fat left in these businesses, so another lost customer or a delay in an order could really hurt,” he explained.

At the same time, Anderson said he knew of several companies that were bucking the trend, such as Falkirk-based bus maker Alexander Dennis Limited, which has doubled its market share in the downturn.

Another bullish business is Henley-based babyfood maker Ella’s Kitchen, which almost doubled its turnover this year to £31m and more than doubled its profit, partly due to expansion in overseas markets. Paul Lindley, Ella’s Kitchen’s founder said: “We see lots of opportunity to grow internationally.”

Julie Meyer, chief executive of Ariadne Capital, an entrepreneur-led investor group, said opportunities exist for those who adapt to changing consumer demand. “People are learning to live more efficiently and companies need to react to that,” she said. “Frugal is going to be very sexy.”

Technology start-ups have held up pretty well largely because it has been needed to improve the performance of companies, said Simon Clark, managing partner at Fidelity Growth Partners Europe. “Everyone is more realistic, which is a good thing,” he said. “Good entrepreneurs focus on cash and growth, in that order.”

(This article appeared in the Financial Times December 17 2011)

The winners … Colin Robertson named Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year

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Bus-builder boss Colin Robertson named Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year

Alexander Dennis chief executive takes home top accolade at the Entrepreneurial Exchange Awards Dinner

Colin Robertson, chief executive of Falkirk-based bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Entrepreneurial Exchange’s annual awards dinner, sponsored by Clydesdale Bank, held at the Glasgow Hilton last night (1 Dec).

The awards, in association with Deloitte and media partner The Herald, are Scotland’s leading and longest-standing annual awards for growth-oriented entrepreneurs, recognising those who have excelled in this area over the last twelve months.

Since taking the reins at ADL in 2007 Colin successfully steered the company through the economic downturn with its UK market share almost doubling to over 50%, turnover increasing twofold to £360m, profits set to rise significantly this year and next and an increasingly global footprint which takes in the US, Canada, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Intuitively identifying the recession as an opportunity to expand Colin introduced invaluable out-sourcing arrangements, enabling ADL to increase production by 60% while preserving its core workforce in facilities at Falkirk, Scarborough, Guildford and key overseas locations.

Jim Boyle, head of entrepreneurial business at Deloitte, and awards judge, said: “Colin has demonstrated fantastic entrepreneurial instinct in his ability to identify and capitalise on an opportunity in a tough economic climate. His passion and drive is evident in his ongoing ambition for the company and I would like to extend my own personal congratulations to Colin for his achievements. Colin epitomises the best of what Scotland’s entrepreneurial community has to offer and, with him in the driver’s seat, I’m sure ADL can look forward to a successful future. He has totally transformed the business and it is now a great example of a successful Scottish manufacturing business helping drive an export-led economic recovery.”

Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist – Colin Robertson of Alexander Dennis

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Being asked to run an organisation with more than 400 employees at the age of 25 would be a daunting experience for most. For Colin Robertson, though, it was something he took in his stride.

Colin was 17 when he started his career as an engineering apprentice with Cummins Engine Company, climbing the ladder steadily before being put in charge of the entire machine shop, managing over 400 workers.

After a successful period at Cummins he took on a new challenge at JI Case, the tractor manufacturer, where for four years he was unit manager and responsible for facilities across the UK, Germany and France. After 13 years of service he moved on to Terex Corporation where he enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks, becoming President of their $2billion construction division and ultimately Executive Vice President of Global Operations, based at the company’s Connecticut headquarters in the USA.

In 2007 he returned to Scotland, this time as CEO of Falkirk-based bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL).

Since then ADL has seen its UK market share rise from 30% to over 50%. It leads the market in all four key sectors – midi bus, full-size single deck, double-deck and hybrid-electric sales – and has established itself as Europe’s leading supplier of low-carbon buses that reduce fuel and CO2 emissions by over 30%.

In parallel with this it has seen export sales grow rapidly from 20% to circa 35%, doubled turnover in the past three years to £360m, with a further 20% growth anticipated in 2012, and is on course to see profits increase significantly this year and next.

All of this has been achieved in the teeth of the toughest global recession in 40 years but, despite this, Colin is convinced there is much more to come on the back of new partnerships and ‘build alliances’ he has now secured in North America, Hong Kong, China and New Zealand, and with recent big business wins in Canada, Asia and the Southern Hemisphere.

Retaining almost 2,000 employees in the UK throughout the recession, ADL has cleverly introduced invaluable out-sourcing arrangements, enabling it to increase output by 60% while preserving its core workforce in facilities at Falkirk, Scarborough, Guildford and key overseas locations. Clearly, this is one Scottish manufacturing boss who sees adversity as opportunity – and has taken the opportunity to take his company into the big league of global players in his industry sector.

Jim Boyle, head of entrepreneurial business at Deloitte, and awards judge, said: “We were extremely impressed with Colin both as an individual and as a business person. He is clearly very passionate about ADL and is committed to expanding the business even further.

“From a young age Colin has demonstrated a nose for building successful businesses and has a very impressive track record both at home and abroad. On accepting the role at ADL he has shown a keen desire to challenge himself and those around him. With Colin at the helm ADL is a great example of a successful Scottish manufacturing business driving an export-led recovery.”