Two long-serving family-owned bus companies have come together as Grenda Transit Management takes over Invicta Bus Lines. The Grenda Group and
Two long-serving family-owned bus companies have come together as Grenda Transit Management takes over Invicta Bus Lines.
The Grenda Group and Invicta have shared a long and cooperative relationship over the years and Grenda spokesperson Scott Grenda says Invicta’s decision to sell was based on the three directors’ wish to deliver a safe future for employees as well as achieve some personal goals.
Grenda says both Invicta and the bus industry in Victoria are in a very strong position, and the parties recognised that the sale will add further strength and stability to both.
“Despite a number of recent sales in Victoria, I don’t believe operators in the bus industry in Victoria have any financial requirement to sell up at the moment. Rather than for financial reasons, decisions appear to be based more around business succession,” Grenda says.
“There is a sense of stability in the market with most contracts coming through a 10-year renewal period, and it is an ideal time for companies to plan the future.”
Grenda says that like Invicta, Grenda is a family company, and, as with past acquisitions, Invicta employees will notice few changes in the companies operations.
“We recognise the company’s history, the people remain the same and the company generally stays the same,” he says.
The current management team of Pam Usher, Frank Mercuri and Kumar Vasantha bought Invicta in September 2001.
After eight years at the helm Pam Usher tells ABC the decision to sell to Grenda was an obvious choice for the group because they share the same values – both companies are family owned and treat their staff as extended family.
She says the support of the staff of Invicta for the buy-out has been positive and both companies are working hard to ensure a safe, challenging, happy and secure future for all.