Custom Denning had the privilege of hosting The Hon. Natalie Ward MLC and The Hon. Mark Coure MP for a comprehensive tour of its manufacturing and production facilities in St Marys, NSW.
The Hon. Natalie Ward, Deputy Opposition Leader, Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Shadow Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, and Member of the Legislative Council, joined The Hon. Mark Coure MP, Shadow Minister for Jobs, Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Shadow Minister for Southwestern Sydney, Member for Oatley, and Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly.
The delegation arrived at the facility aboard a newly built Element 2 bus, offering a firsthand experience of the cutting-edge technology and comfort that Custom Denning buses deliver. During the journey, Managing Director Scott Dunn provided an overview of the company’s key differentiators, highlighting its unparalleled commitment to Australian local content and manufacturing. Custom Denning proudly exceeds government expectations in this area, positioning Custom Denning as Australia’s only authentic bus manufacturer.
Upon arrival, the visitors were introduced to a locally produced Element 2, EV bus equipped with pantograph charging capability, a first for an Australian-made bus. This innovative Element 2 bus, installed with pantograph rails, is capable of rapid 1C charging at 450kW, setting a new benchmark in the industry and reaffirming Custom Denning’s leadership in advanced bus technology.
The tour, led by Operations Manager Daniel Bale, provided a detailed view of the manufacturing process, from raw material conversion to the preparation of components. The facility’s capabilities include laser cutting, folding, bending, shaping, and powder coating, along with the in-house production of sub-assemblies and seats.The delegation observed how these components are seamlessly transferred to the production facility for final assembly, ensuring an integrated manufacturing process that is entirely designed, engineered, and produced at Custom Denning HQ in Western Sydney.
Of the 6,000 individual parts required to build an Element 2, the majority are prepared at Custom Denning’s manufacturing plant, including seats, which were first supplied by Custom Denning to the NSW government in 1947 for use in the Sydney tram ways, a testament to the company’s 77-year legacy of innovation and commitment to Australian manufacturing excellence.
The visit concluded with a tour of the production line, where EV chassis, frames, and complete buses were being assembled. Custom Denning’s focus on apprenticeship programs and upskilling in high-voltage systems is aimed at ensuring a steady pipeline of expertise, contributing to Australia’s sustainable sovereign manufacturing capabilities for the long term.
Through its in-house development of proprietary technologies, Custom Denning continues to reduce Australia’s reliance on imports, fostering a sustainable manufacturing future for the nation.
Upon completion of the tour the delegation discussed the current challenges relating to procurement and how these obstacles are currently being navigated by Custom Denning including the development of an export market, with 10 x Element 2’s having been exported to the UK, a first for an Australian EV Bus manufacturer.
The Hon. Natalie Ward and The Hon. Mark Coure expressed their appreciation for the innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication demonstrated by the Custom Denning team, underscoring the company’s vital role in Australia’s transport sector, which remains instrumental for protecting Australia’s future manufacturing capabilities.
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