Wrightbus has appointed a new CEO, Axel J. Maschka, an experienced figure in the global transport and automotive sectors.
Maschka succeeds Jean-Marc Gales, who led the company for two-and-a-half years. Since Wrightbus was bought out of administration by Jo Bamford in 2019, the workforce has grown from 43 employees to around 2,300 across its UK and Malaysian operations.
Axel J. Maschka has joined the Ballymena-based manufacturer following senior roles at Hyundai Mobis, Valeo, Volvo, Continental, Leclanché, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz. His background spans engineering, supply chain management and international business leadership.
Speaking on his appointment, Maschka said he was honoured to lead the business and would prioritise strengthening internal processes to support consistent product quality. His comments reflect a wider focus on building resilience within the company’s supply chain and expanding its after-sales capability.
Axel J. Maschka said:I am delighted to be taking over at Wrightbus and I have been given an extremely warm welcome – from owner Jo Bamford through to the people I have met on the shop floor.
The Wrightbus of today is very different from the one that launched in 1946, but we must hold onto those traditional values where we treat our employees like family and our customers like royalty.
Every post I’ve held has focused on the customer, putting them at the centre of everything we do, and I will continue this theme at Wrightbus.
Wrightbus currently produces hydrogen, electric and diesel buses, and operates Europe’s largest repowering facility, NewPower, in Oxfordshire. The company also maintains a refurbishment division, supporting operators seeking to extend vehicle life.
Maschka signalled that further job creation is expected in Ballymena and Malaysia as the firm develops its manufacturing footprint. He emphasised the importance of customer-focused operations and noted that his previous roles had followed the same principle.
Maschka added:We offer so much alongside the actual bus itself. Being part of the HydraB Group gives us access to a whole portfolio of companies offering everything from depot infrastructure and charging to service and maintenance.
I firmly believe we have the right people, the right skills and the right facilities to develop this historic company and put it on the world stage. Offering a complete solution really helps us stand out in the market.
Maschka, 59, has worked in Europe, Korea and Asia. He is married and has three children who are studying in London and Oxford. He speaks German, French and English.
