Wales Heavy Vehicle Repair began as a family-run workshop on the outskirts of Sydney, built on a foundation of hard work, skill and a deep respect for the transport industry. Local truck drivers trusted the team to keep their vehicles moving, knowing that every repair was done with care and precision.
Through dedication, craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to keeping businesses on the road, Wales grew into a respected name in heavy vehicle repairs. Over time, the team recognised an opportunity to expand beyond trucks, applying their expertise to a growing demand for specialised bus repairs.
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Now, with more than 40 years of expertise, Wales Heavy Vehicle Repair has evolved into a leading national network, combining industry heritage with cutting-edge repair solutions.
“Over the past nine months, we have focused on refreshing our brand – not just updating our name, but modernising our facilities, processes and service experience,” Wales Heavy Vehicle Repairs general manager Martin Dickinson told ABC.
“This transformation reinforces our commitment to heavy vehicle and bus operators nationwide.”
As part of this evolution, Wales has rebranded all facilities under a single national identity, ensuring customers experience consistent, high-quality repairs, no matter where they are in Australia.
“At Wales, heavy is our duty. That means we’re always pushing for better ways to serve our customers, minimise downtime and deliver precision repairs with every job,” Dickinson says.
Recognising that repairing heavy vehicles is about more than just fixing damage, Wales has invested in upgrading customer facilities and service innovations to enhance the experience. This included building enhanced customer lounge areas that provide a relaxed, professional environment and echo what Dickinson describes as an “OEM feeling”.
The company has also introduced a handover showroom where clients can personally collect their fully restored buses, allowing time for any customer questions and for the technicians to emphasise the quality and pride in their craft.
“Wales has also dedicated time to streamlining our internal processes, introducing dedicated assessment bays that make our quoting more efficient and ensure we maintain transparency in our service,” Dickinson says.
“We have also worked on improving workshop flow to reduce repair times and minimise customer downtime.
“We know that having a bus off the road is a major inconvenience for operators, so we’ve designed every step of our repair process to get them back in service as quickly as possible.”
As Australia’s transport industry transitions toward zero-emissions vehicles, Wales has invested in specialised electric and alternate-powered bus repair capabilities.
“Over the past 12 months, we’ve been training our teams nationwide to handle electric and hydrogen-powered buses,” Dickinson says.
“We’ve installed a dedicated EV charging station at our Smithfield site and are integrating advanced repair techniques to support the shift to green transport.”
By proactively upgrading its capabilities, Wales is positioning itself as the go-to repairer for electric buses nationwide, ensuring that operators can transition to new technologies with confidence.
Since joining AMA Group in 2019, Wales has expanded its national reach and broadened its capabilities to become a true one-stop shop for heavy vehicle repairs.
“Our partnership with AMA has given us the ability to service entire fleets, from light vehicles to trucks and buses under one trusted network,” Dickinson says.
This reach is further strengthened by AMA Group’s partnership with Malaysian bus manufacturer Gemilang, bringing local bus assembly to Australia for the first time in Gemilang’s history.
Gemilang executive general manager Pan Jun Jie told ABC that AMA Group and Wales Heavy Vehicle Repair were the natural choice for this partnership.
“Gemilang chose AMA Group as its strategic partner due to AMA’s extensive expertise in the Australian automotive and heavy vehicle sector, particularly in bus repairs and refurbishment,” Jun Jie says.
“With a nationwide presence and well-established Wales heavy collision repair facilities, AMA Group provides the necessary infrastructure and skilled workforce to support local assembly, ensuring compliance with Australian standards and regulations.”
Through this collaboration, AMA Group will integrate Gemilang’s innovative aluminium bus body kits into its existing Wales heavy collision repair facilities nationwide, leveraging its extensive expertise in bus repairs to support local assembly.
Gemilang, which has more than 35 years of experience and has supplied bus body kits to more than 15 markets, including Australia, Singapore and the USA, sees this partnership as a key step in advancing sustainable transport solutions in Australia.
“By leveraging AMA’s operational capabilities and after-sales service network, Gemilang can ensure the seamless assembly, delivery and long-term support for its aluminium bus body solutions, strengthening its foothold in Australia’s growing electric bus industry,” Jun Jie says.
This collaboration will enable participation in government bus tenders across all Australian states and territories and aligns with national sustainability goals by advancing green mobility, reducing carbon emissions and ensuring reliable after-sales support for electric buses built through the partnership.
Currently, Wales operates eight heavy vehicle repair sites across Townsville, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Victoria, South Australia and Perth, with dedicated bus and truck facilities also at Smithfield, NSW.
“While we started in Sydney, our services are now available nationwide,” Dickinson says.
With fully equipped facilities across the country, Wales is ready to support the growth of Australia’s bus industry, whether it involves large-scale fleet repairs, new vehicle assembly or electric bus servicing.
“At Wales, heavy is our duty – both today and into the future,” Dickinson says.
“We invite bus operators to partner with us as we set new benchmarks in repair excellence and sustainable fleet management.”
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