MICRO BIRD
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersDrummondville, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MICRO BIRD does
Micro Bird Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer of Type A school buses, Multi-Function School Activity Buses (MFSAB), Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPV), and Commercial Buses, headquartered in Drummondville, Quebec with a newer U.S. production facility in Plattsburgh, New York. The company traces its origins to 1966 as Girardin Minibus and became Micro Bird through a 50/50 joint venture with Blue Bird Corporation in 2009; Blue Bird acquired the remaining 50% on April 1, 2026 for approximately $201.8 million (10.7x FY2026 EBITDA), making Micro Bird a wholly-owned subsidiary. The product portfolio spans the G5 platform in gasoline, propane (integrated with Ford 7.3L V8 and ROUSH CleanTech Gen5), and electric variants, with the G5e offering 600V architecture, up to 175 kWh battery capacity, 100 kW charging, 200+ mile range, and Vehicle-to-Grid bidirectional charging. Capacities range from 9 passengers (MPV) to 36 passengers (school and MFSAB configurations), with ADA-compliant wheelchair lifts and Buy America Act-compliant manufacturing.
The company operates two manufacturing plants totaling approximately 406,000 sq ft (Drummondville ~250,000 sq ft including a 2020 expansion; Plattsburgh 156,000 sq ft opened September 2025 with a $38M investment) and employs approximately 950 people post-acquisition. Distribution is exclusively through a network of 55+ certified dealerships across North America, which handle sales, training, and after-sale service; the company does not sell direct and pricing is quote-based through dealers. Revenue is generated from one-time hardware sales across K-12 school districts (primary), paratransit services for elderly and disabled passengers, commercial fleet operators (airport, hotel, corporate shuttles), and community organizations.
The go-to-market combines industry trade shows (e.g., STN EXPO West), content marketing (e.g., "5 Steps to Fleet Electrification" guide), and dealer-led demand generation, supplemented by post-sale enablement through the Electric Bus 360° Certification Program. Customer demand is increasingly shaped by federal and state grant programs (FTA Low/No Emission, EPA Clean School Bus, Empire State Development) that Micro Bird actively targets, evidenced by deployments like Schaumburg, Illinois and the tax-credit-supported Plattsburgh expansion. The company faces structural exposure to government budget cycles, EV ramp execution risk, and the integration dynamics of operating as a subsidiary of publicly-traded Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD).
MICRO BIRD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MICRO BIRD
- Legal name
- Micro Bird Inc.
- Website
- https://microbird.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MICRO BIRD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- School Bus Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Motor Home Manufacturing (336213)
- SIC
- Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Class 1–3 Commercial Trucks (Light/Medium Duty) Manufacturing (IMACABAA)
Keywords
Where MICRO BIRD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Drummondville
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
MICRO BIRD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Bus Sales: Micro Bird generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of Type A school buses, Multi-Function School Activity Buses (MFSAB), Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPV), and Commercial Buses. Products are sold through a network of 55+ certified dealers across North America. Revenue is generated from one-time hardware sales with various fuel options including gasoline, propane, and electric.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bus pricing varies by model, configuration, and fuel type |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
MICRO BIRD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Micro Bird designs and manufactures Type A school buses, Multi-Function School Activity Buses (MFSAB), Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPV), and Commercial Buses with capacities ranging from 9 to 36 passengers. The product lineup includes gasoline, propane (G5 Propane with ROUSH CleanTech/Ford 7.3L V8), and electric (G5e with 600V architecture and V2G capability) variants. Products are sold exclusively through a network of 55+ certified dealerships across North America and include the G5 series, MB-II, T-Series, D-Series, MPV, and Commercial Bus lines.
Product overview
MICRO BIRD is a family-owned manufacturer of Type A school buses, Multi-Function School Activity Buses (MFSAB), Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs), and Commercial Buses with passenger capacities ranging from 9 to 36. Founded in 1966 (initially as Girardin Minibus) and operating as a joint venture with Blue Bird Corporation since 2009, the company offers vehicles across multiple fuel types: electric (G5e with V2G capability), propane (G5 Propane with ROUSH CleanTech/Ford engine), and gasoline. The product lineup consists of the G5 series, MB-II, and T-Series, all classified as Type A buses. The company operates manufacturing plants in Drummondville, Quebec (250,000 sq ft with a 115,000 sq ft expansion) and a newer 156,000 sq ft facility in Plattsburgh, NY. The company also offers the Electric Bus 360° Certification Program for dealer and client training.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- G5: Type A school bus available in multiple configurations including electric, propane, and gas models
- T-Series
- MB-II
- D-Series
- G5e
Products and services
- G5 Electric (G5e) School Bus Type A electric school bus featuring a 600V architecture with 100 kW charging speeds, two battery options up to 175 kWh capacity, and industry-leading range of over 200 miles (320 km) on a single charge. Includes Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) bidirectional charging capability, direct drive motorization, and a reinforced 8-inch buffer zone for passenger safety. Targeted at school districts and fleet operators transitioning to electric vehicles.
- G5 Propane School Bus
Quantifiable outcome
- 200+ miles (320 km) range on single charge
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MICRO BIRD
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MICRO BIRD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MICRO BIRD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Blue Bird CorporationcoreBlue Bird Corporation acquired the remaining 50% stake in Micro Bird for approximately $201.8 million on April 1, 2026, making Micro Bird a wholly-owned subsidiary. The deal was funded 30% in cash and 70% in Blue Bird common stock. Steve Girardin joined Blue Bird's Board of Directors upon closing. The acquisition consolidates Blue Bird's North American operations under a single brand.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MICRO BIRD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Elkhart Coach: US manufacturer of Type A buses and small commercial buses for paratransit, shuttle, and assisted living markets. Direct competitor in the commercial cutaway bus segment with overlapping Buy America production.
- IC Bus (Navistar): Major competitor in North American school bus market producing Type C and D buses. Part of Navistar/Traton. Targets the same K-12 school district and fleet operator customers with overlapping alternative fuel and electric offerings.
- Thomas Built Buses: Daimler-owned school bus manufacturer producing Type C and D buses, including the Jouley electric school bus. Direct competitor to Micro Bird/Blue Bird in school district sales with growing electric portfolio targeting the same federal funding pool.
- Collins Bus Corporation: Manufacturer of Type A school buses and Multi-Function School Activity Buses (MFSAB), competing head-to-head with Micro Bird's MB-II and T-Series product lines. Serves the same school district and special needs transportation customer base.
- Lion Electric: Canadian-based manufacturer of electric Type A, C, and D school buses and commercial trucks. Headquartered in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, near Micro Bird. Direct competitor in the Type A electric school bus space with comparable federal grant capture.
- Starcraft Bus: Commercial bus and shuttle manufacturer (division of Forest River) producing Type A and medium-duty buses. Competes with Micro Bird's Commercial Bus line in paratransit, shuttle, and community transport markets.
Broad incumbents
- REV Group: Diversified specialty vehicle manufacturer (NYSE: REVG) producing commercial buses, ambulances, and RVs through multiple brands including Champion Bus and E-ONE. Overlaps with Micro Bird in commercial shuttle and paratransit markets.
- Blue Bird Corporation: Parent company of Micro Bird since April 2026. Blue Bird manufactures Type C and D school buses and is the dominant North American school bus OEM. Same end customers (school districts, fleet operators), complementary product lines, shared dealer network post-acquisition.
- Forest River Bus: Berkshire Hathaway-owned commercial bus manufacturer with multiple Type A and shuttle brands. Competes broadly with Micro Bird Commercial Bus and MPV lines across paratransit, shuttle, and fleet customer segments.
Emerging players
- GreenPower Motor Company: Canadian EV bus manufacturer producing Type A, D, and school bus configurations including the BEAST and Nano BEAST models. Emerging competitor in the electric school bus segment pursuing federal Clean School Bus Program funding.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MICRO BIRD social profiles
Digital presenceMICRO BIRD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MICRO BIRD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MICRO BIRD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MICRO BIRD 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 MICRO BIRD
What does MICRO BIRD do?
Micro Bird designs and manufactures Type A school buses, Multi-Function School Activity Buses (MFSAB), Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPV), and Commercial Buses with capacities ranging from 9 to 36 passengers. The product lineup includes gasoline, propane (G5 Propane with ROUSH CleanTech/Ford 7.3L V8), and electric (G5e with 600V architecture and V2G capability) variants. Products are sold exclusively through a network of 55+ certified dealerships across North America and include the G5 series, MB-II, T-Series, D-Series, MPV, and Commercial Bus lines.
Is MICRO BIRD a public or private company?
MICRO BIRD is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MICRO BIRD founded?
MICRO BIRD was founded in 1966. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is MICRO BIRD based?
MICRO BIRD is headquartered in Drummondville, Canada, in the North America region.
How does MICRO BIRD make money?
One revenue line is on record: bus Sales.
Who are MICRO BIRD's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Elkhart Coach, IC Bus (Navistar), Thomas Built Buses, Collins Bus Corporation, Lion Electric and Starcraft Bus. Broad incumbents are REV Group, Blue Bird Corporation and Forest River Bus. GreenPower Motor Company is listed as an emerging player.
Does MICRO BIRD have an API?
No public API is recorded for MICRO BIRD.
What industry is MICRO BIRD in?
MICRO BIRD's product category is School Bus Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACABAA, Class 1–3 Commercial Trucks (Light/Medium Duty) Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336213 and its SIC code is 3713.