Dedication. Performance. Commitment.
The name speaks for itself. Dedication. Performance. Achievement. That’s what we do and who we are.
Our customers deserve quality and the peace of mind that only a skilled workforce with an ever-onward dedication to safety can provide. Now that’s something to be proud of.
Champion was one of the first manufacturers to send a cutaway bus to undergo durability testing at the Federal Transit Authority’s Altoona, Pennsylvania, testing facility and continues to test all buses on a simulated Altoona test track at the manufacturing facility. Champion prides itself on using 1.5” x 1.5”, 16-gauge, tube galvanized steel cage on every bus, making them some of the safest and most robust buses in the industry.
Champion Bus is the only low floor manufacturer Ford QVM (Qualified Vehicle Modifier) certified in the United States and was the first bus manufacturer ever to become QVM certified. With strong emphasis on safety in our organization, we often exceed best practices for our industry while specializing in innovation, design and lean manufacturing of an array of commercial buses.
Champion Bus began manufacturing commercial vehicles in 1980 and has continued to gain strength and momentum within its 194,000+ square foot production facility. Never wavering from the namesake, we continue to "Build Like a Champion!”
As part of our Mission Statement and Core Values, Forest River Bus employees strive to be “responsible for our actions and contributions to the organization”.
Our “results driven culture” includes focusing on our community outside the production line, as well as striving for perfection while building your next shuttle bus.
In September 2019, Forest River Bus announced the milestone of building our 100,000th bus.
In celebration of this achievement, David Wright; Forest River Bus President, pledged to donate one specifically tailored shuttle bus to an organization in need.
With over 200 applicants nationwide, a committee of five non-Forest River individuals had the impossible task of agreeing on one recipient.
On July 9, 2020, Forest River Bus completed and delivered a fully customized Berkshire Coach to Harmony Day Support, Inc. in Forest, VA. Harmony Day Support, a 501c3 non-profit, provides individual encouragement and support to adolescents and adults with various levels of developmental disability in order to lead to balance in their daily lives.
With the Virginia Congressman Ben Cline in attendance, the individuals and management at Harmony Day Support were elated to receive this generous gift.
“Having a good life means different things to different people.
It includes joy and happiness, health and safety, hopes and dreams, meaningful activities, relationships with family and friends, and the ability to contribute to the community.
With the acquisition of this additional mode of transportation we are able to ensure that all the individuals we serve are living their best life”, stated Andy Coleman; Harmony Day Support Executive Director.
Forest River Bus’s newest division, ElDorado, in Salina, KS also embodies the Forest River Bus Core Values with their recent donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina (BBBS).
In December of 2019, employees of the Salina division took notice of a 15 year old AeroTech bus utilized at the local chapter of BBBS that desperately needed revamping.
“It (the bus) is vital to our program and us being able to continue our mission here in Salina, transporting our children to various programs as well as advertising the agency and showing the support around the community”, stated Amanda Otto; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina CEO.
ElDorado donated all the necessary materials, and more than 40 employees volunteered approximately 200 man hours needed to refurbish the shuttle bus.
On June 15, 2020 the team of ElDorado workers involved were excited to hand over the keys to BBBS to ensure safe transportation for the next 15 years.
With over 85 divisions nationwide, the entire Forest River family is involved in giving back to our local communities throughout North America.
In September of 2019, Forest River, Inc. announced a major philanthropic partnership with Care Camps, a non-profit organization.
This program allows children with cancer to enjoy what many of us take for granted; the healing power of nature and friendship.
Care Camps support over 135 outdoor camps with special oncology services across the United States and Canada.
With every purchase of any Forest River brand vehicle or watercraft, Forest River donates to Care Camps, where children can forget about their illness and “just be a kid again” in the great outdoors.
If you would like to learn more about Care Camps, or make a donation to this amazing program, please click the Care Camps logo on this page.
Healing happens here because of you!
“Best Bus Sales has been a Glaval Dealer since inception. The quality, fit and finish is second to none, and now with the industry leading warranty our clients cannot be more pleased.”
- Patrick Swaggerty, Best Bus Sales Vice-President“It’s important to have great vehicles that can help us deliver the ADA services to our community. We love the fact that we can purchase something of this quality from our region.”
- Amy Hill, South Bend Transpo General Manager & CEO“Forest River Bus is a great asset to our company. Great attitudes, timely answers and responses!”
- Rob Zimmerman, Best Bus Sales President/Owner"Forest River Bus is excellent in their response time.”
- Henry Headden, Carpenter Bus President“The hard work, professionalism and expertise exemplifies exactly what you need in a manufacturer.”
- Matt Mashuda, Creative Bus Sales Regional Sales“I’ve dealt with other bus companies, but this was the most professional and best experience of them all. No exaggerating. Not easy to do with the scale of your production…impressive.”
- Rich Solano Jr, Matthews Bus Alliance Regional Sal“My employees went on and on about how much they learned, and how well the classes were planned out. The Matterport 360 view app is a great way to show a bus to our customers. Thanks for providing this much needed training!”
- Barnie K. Smith, Palmetto Bus Sales President“I can’t thank you enough for the partnership we have. Quick response and production turnaround time helped gain Forest River Bus and Trans South another customer for life.”
- Chris Clark, Transportation South Regional Sales M“The extensive work and hours given by Champion are crucial in being able to continue providing safe and reliable transportation for our families.”
- Amanda Otto, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina CE