CLEARFIELD – Aerial Fullington Weisman, president and chief executive officer of the Fullington Auto Bus Company, explained the details surrounding the company’s recent partnership with Ratp Dev to the Clearfield Area School District Board of Directors at Monday night’s committee meetings.
Ratp Dev has signed agreements to acquire controlling interest in the Fullington Auto Bus Company, according to press release that was published Sept. 14 on GantDaily.com.
“It’s a partnership, not a merger or acquisition,” Weisman told the board. She also stated that Ratp Dev is a subsidiary of RATP – the leading transport operator in the Paris Ille-de-France region, France.
She said RATP carries over 10 million passengers daily, over 200 miles of tracks. She said it operates and maintains all modes of transportation on bus, metro, tramway and rail. She said Ratp Dev operates urban and suburban networks on four continents.
“(They are) a global company. We’re not moving from Clearfield. Nothing is changing,” she said. “We are excited and hope you are, too.”
Weisman said that around two years ago, they met with their attorney. She said they were advised to implement a succession plan. She said they moved ahead with the same for their employees.
“We have dedicated employees. We owe it to them to make wise business decisions,” she said.
She said they were in Europe and traveled the metro system. She said they were drawn to the company’s employees who were nice and as dedicated as their own.
She said that Retp Dev currently plans for one person to visit after the new year. She said they would like to learn about business in the United States while also helping the Fullington Auto Bus Company grow.
Weisman said that the business opportunity will allow Fullington to continue to thrive in all areas while taking advantage of the worldwide experience and insight of a new global partner, Ratp Dev.
“We are pleased that just as the Fullington Auto Bus Company has a solid foundation of over 100 years in the transportation business, Ratp Dev draws from the 60 years of experience of its mother company, RATP, as well,” she stated in the press release.
She stated that Ratp Dev’s business philosophy mirrors their own.
“They value their employees and customers, provide security and reliability, are continually innovative and provide long-term security. This shared philosophy will make this a natural transition for our customers and employees alike,” Weisman said.
Michael L. Fullington, vice president and chief operating officer, the Fullington Auto Bus Company, added, “We are pleased and proud to assure our employees and customers that the Fullington Auto Bus Company will continue to operate under our existing name. The upper management team will remain fully in place, and we look forward to personally continuing our business relationships in each area of the company.”
In the press release, Jean-Marc Janaillac, president and chief executive officer of Ratp Dev stated, “The Ratp Dev philosophy of development is based on partnership. Our decision to expand our company into the United States with the Fullington Auto Bus Company is based on the solid belief that we share the same values of quality, integrity and respect.”
Janaillac continued, “We are convinced that Fullington’s reputation as an outstanding transportation company, combined with the financial and technical support of Ratp Dev will make it a more formidable company, recognized and respected by the transportation industry.”
The Fullington Auto Bus Company operations include over 350 employees, 52 motorcoaches, 138 school buses and 11 limousines with offices in Clearfield, DuBois and State College as well as school bus offices and garages in Clearfield, Philipsburg, Houtzdale and Hollidaysburg.
Ratp Dev operates and maintains buses, metros, tramways and rail systems worldwide and brings its expertise together with its local affiliates in Algeria, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Morocco, South Africa, South Korea, West Indies, and now the United States.