Collins Bus
Collins Bus is a South Hutchinson, Kansas-based designer and manufacturer of Type A school buses, MFSABs, childcare buses, and multi-purpose vehicles. Founded in 1967, it is the largest North American Type A bus manufacturer, operating as a Forest River Bus division since 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersSouth Hutchinson, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Collins Bus does
Collins Bus Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of Type A school buses, multi-function school activity buses (MFSABs), childcare buses, and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), headquartered in South Hutchinson, Kansas. Founded in 1967 by Don Collins Sr. as E-CON-O Conversion, the company pioneered the Type A school bus and, since 2012, has held the position of largest North American manufacturer of Type A, MFSAB, daycare, and multi-purpose vehicles. Its product portfolio spans the flagship Type A School Bus, the MFSAB for extracurricular and activity routes, the Childcare Bus designed for young passengers, the non-CDL Multi-Purpose Vehicle (Collins Mini), and the Magellan premium sub-brand, with chassis options from Ford, Ford E-Series, Ford E-Transit, and GM/Chevrolet.
The company's technical differentiation centers on proprietary structural engineering rather than software. Its one-piece tubular HSLA (high-strength low-alloy) steel roof bow design is claimed to be 66% stronger than traditional steel, and its interlocking full-length floor beams are claimed to deliver 5X stronger construction than competing modular designs. All Collins products are Altoona-tested through the federally authorized 7-year/200,000-mile durability program, are ISO 9001 certified, and meet or exceed FMVSS school bus safety standards. Alternative fuel options include CNG (introduced 2012) and propane (introduced 2009), with electric capability through Ford E-Transit chassis added in 2023.
Collins distributes exclusively through an authorized dealer network spanning the United States and Canada, with products also procurable via Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contracts for education, government, and nonprofit buyers. Revenue is generated primarily through quote-based hardware sales of buses and aftermarket parts, supported by a five-year minimum spare parts supply commitment. The company was acquired by Forest River Bus, LLC in January 2024 and now operates as a division within Forest River Bus and Van. Customer segments are organized vertically: K-12 school districts (primary), childcare centers, school activity programs, and community organizations.
Collins Bus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Collins Bus
- Legal name
- Collins Bus Corporation
- Website
- https://collinsbus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Collins Bus is a South Hutchinson, Kansas-based designer and manufacturer of Type A school buses, MFSABs, childcare buses, and multi-purpose vehicles. Founded in 1967, it is the largest North American Type A bus manufacturer, operating as a Forest River Bus division since 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Collins Bus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- School Bus Manufacturing
- SIC
- Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)
- akta.pro primary industry
- School Bus Manufacturing (IMACADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Shuttle/Paratransit & Community Bus Manufacturing (IMACADAD), Electrification & Alternative Fuels for School Fleets (EV Buses, Charging, CNG) (EDAEADAJ)
Keywords
Where Collins Bus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- South Hutchinson
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Collins Bus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Bus Manufacturing and Sales: Collins Bus generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of Type A school buses, multi-function activity buses, daycare buses, and multi-purpose vehicles (MPV). Products are sold through an authorized dealer network throughout the United States and Canada.
- Parts and Accessories: Spare parts support for existing fleet customers, with commitment to supply parts for minimum five years after last delivery of units.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based pricing through dealers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Collins Bus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Collins Bus designs and manufactures Type A school buses, multi-function school activity buses (MFSAB), childcare/daycare buses, and multi-purpose vehicles (MPV), along with the premium Magellan sub-brand. All products are built on Ford Transit, Ford E-Series, or GM/Chevrolet chassis and feature proprietary HSLA steel safety cages, one-piece tubular roof bows, and interlocking floor beam construction, with seating capacities from 9 to 34 passengers and non-CDL configurations available.
Product overview
Collins Bus is a manufacturer of Type A buses, offering a portfolio of specialized vehicles: the Type A School Bus (the original product introduced in 1967), Multi-Function School Activity Bus (MFSAB) for extracurricular activities, Childcare Bus for young passengers, and the Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV/Collins Mini) for non-CDL operations. The Magellan brand represents Collins' premium bus line. All products are built on Ford, Ford E-Series, or Chevrolet chassis with Collins' proprietary HSLA steel safety cage construction and are available in various passenger configurations from 9 to 34 seats.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Magellan: A Collins Bus brand offering Type-A school buses with a focus on safety, quality, and dependability, continuing the legacy of excellence from the first Type-A school bus introduced in 1967
- Collins Mini
Products and services
- Type A School Bus Collins' flagship Type A school bus designed for safe daily student transportation with HSLA tubular steel safety cage construction, rollover and side-impact protection, and flexible seating configurations from 9 to 34 passengers. Available on Ford Transit, Ford E-Series, or Chevrolet chassis, with options for wheelchair accessibility, alternative fuels (CNG, propane), and multiple wheelbases. Targeted at public and private K-12 school districts for daily routes, low-density routes, special needs transportation, and narrow city streets.
- Multi-Function School Activity Bus (MFSAB) Non-CDL activity bus engineered for flexible school activities, athletics, and extracurricular transportation. Built on Ford or Chevy chassis with best-in-class maneuverability and FMVSS-compliant safety standards for school activity buses. Targeted at schools and educational organizations running after-school activities, sports teams, field trips, and similar programs.
- Childcare Bus Non-CDL bus designed for safe daycare transportation of young passengers, meeting FMVSS safety standards for school activity buses. Features a reinforced safety cage, optional 3-point seatbelts, and child-focused interior layouts. Targeted at daycare and childcare center operators transporting children under five years old on daily routes.
- Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) / Collins Mini Non-CDL Type A multi-purpose vehicle designed for safe student transportation to and from school and after-school activities. Built to school bus safety standards including rollover, roof crush, and side impact protection, with up to 9-passenger seating. Targeted at schools, childcare centers, churches, and community organizations needing flexible, lower-capacity transportation.
- Magellan (Premium Bus Sub-Brand) Collins Bus' premium Type A bus brand offering models including DE516WR, DE516, DH400, DH416, DH500, DH516, TH500, TH516WR, and TL308, built on Ford Transit or Chevy/Ford E-Series chassis. Emphasizes safety, quality, and dependability for K-12 student transportation customers seeking premium configurations.
- Parts and Accessories Support Aftermarket spare parts and accessories support for existing Collins Bus fleet customers, with a guaranteed minimum five-year parts supply commitment following the last unit delivery. Targeted at school districts, daycare operators, and community organizations maintaining Collins vehicles over multi-year service lives.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% more driver visibility than other Type A bus models
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Collins Bus
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Collins Bus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Collins Bus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Forest River BuscoreForest River Bus, LLC acquired Collins Bus in January 2024, strengthening Forest River's position as America's premier shuttle and school bus builder. Collins Bus joined Forest River Bus and Van division. Pete Liegl, President and CEO of Forest River, Inc., stated this acquisition raises an already high bar for the company.
- Ford (Ford Transit, Ford E-Series)coreCollins Bus builds products on Ford chassis including Ford Transit (for MPV, Mini, and Transit-based models) and Ford E-Series (for larger Type A models). Ford chassis options include various wheelbases, gas and diesel engines, and configurations.
- General Motors / ChevroletcoreCollins Bus builds products on GM/Chevrolet chassis including G3500 and G4500 models. Chassis options include Vortec 4.8L and 6.0L gas engines, propane alternative fuel, and various configurations.
- SourcewellminorSourcewell is a government agency that combines purchasing power of many agencies into a cooperative group. Collins Bus products are available through Sourcewell contracts for education, government, and nonprofit organizations in the US and Canada.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Collins Bus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- REV Group (REV Bus): REV Group previously owned Collins Bus and remains a major diversified specialty vehicle manufacturer (including Collins' former peer brands Lance and ElDorado). It is a broad incumbent across school, shuttle, and specialty vehicles.
- Daimler Truck North America: Parent of Thomas Built Buses and a major commercial vehicle OEM. As a broad incumbent in heavy and medium-duty trucks, Daimler can leverage chassis platforms and dealer networks to push deeper into the Type A space currently led by Collins.
Direct peers
- IC Bus (Navistar/Traton): IC Bus, Navistar's school and commercial bus brand, manufactures Type C and Type D school buses including the IC Electric CE Series. It competes with Collins for school district fleets and cooperative contracts across North America.
- Thomas Built Buses: Daimler-owned school bus OEM producing Type C (Saf-T-Liner) and Type D buses with a growing electric lineup (Jouley). While not a direct Type A competitor at scale, Thomas competes for the same school district procurement budgets and dealer relationships.
- Blue Bird Corporation: Blue Bird is the largest US school bus manufacturer, offering Type A (Micro Bird), Type C, and Type D buses. It is the most direct competitor to Collins across the full school bus spectrum, including electric Type C/D via Blue Bird Vision and All American.
- Micro Bird (Girardin Group): Girardin's Micro Bird brand is a Type A specialist, building buses on Ford and GM chassis. It is Collins' closest direct Type A competitor and a frequent co-bidder on small-bus and multi-function school activity bus contracts.
Others
- Ford Pro / Ford Commercial Vehicles: Ford supplies the Transit, E-Transit, and E-Series chassis that Collins upfits. It is an ecosystem partner and chassis supplier rather than a competitor, but Ford's EV roadmap and chassis allocation decisions directly shape Collins' product roadmap.
- GM Envolve (Chevrolet/GMC): GM supplies the G3500 and G4500 chassis for Collins' larger Type A products. As Collins' other primary chassis partner, GM's medium-duty product strategy, EV BrightDrop roadmap, and pricing structure are key ecosystem dependencies for Collins.
Emerging players
- Lion Electric Company: Canadian all-electric bus OEM producing the LionC, LionD, and eLion Type A school buses. Lion is an emerging challenger leveraging zero-emission mandates and EPA Clean School Bus funding to break into the Type A space Collins dominates.
- GreenPower Motor Company: GreenPower manufactures all-electric school buses including the Nano Beast Type A and Type D models. It is an emerging EV-first competitor targeting the same K-12 electrification budget pool Collins is positioning for.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Collins Bus social profiles
Digital presenceCollins Bus compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Collins Bus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Collins Bus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Collins Bus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Collins Bus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Collins Bus
What does Collins Bus do?
Collins Bus designs and manufactures Type A school buses, multi-function school activity buses (MFSAB), childcare/daycare buses, and multi-purpose vehicles (MPV), along with the premium Magellan sub-brand. All products are built on Ford Transit, Ford E-Series, or GM/Chevrolet chassis and feature proprietary HSLA steel safety cages, one-piece tubular roof bows, and interlocking floor beam construction, with seating capacities from 9 to 34 passengers and non-CDL configurations available.
Is Collins Bus a public or private company?
Collins Bus is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Collins Bus founded?
Collins Bus was founded in 1967. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Collins Bus based?
Collins Bus is headquartered in South Hutchinson, United States, in the North America region.
How does Collins Bus make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Bus Manufacturing and Sales are the primary driver. The others are parts and Accessories.
Who are Collins Bus's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are REV Group (REV Bus) and Daimler Truck North America. Direct peers are IC Bus (Navistar/Traton), Thomas Built Buses, Blue Bird Corporation and Micro Bird (Girardin Group). Others are Ford Pro / Ford Commercial Vehicles and GM Envolve (Chevrolet/GMC). Emerging players are Lion Electric Company and GreenPower Motor Company.
Does Collins Bus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Collins Bus.
What industry is Collins Bus in?
Collins Bus's product category is School Bus Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACADAC, School Bus Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMACADAD, Shuttle/Paratransit & Community Bus Manufacturing. Its SIC code is 3713.