The state of North Carolina has named White's International Trucks, a dealer for IC Bus, the winner of its bid for 800 to 900 new CE Series school buses. IC Bus of Warrenville, Ill. is the nation's largest manufacturer of school buses. IC BusTM will deliver the buses next spring through its IC Bus dealer White's International Trucks of High Point, NC.

White's International Trucks is a North Carolina company that was founded in 1922 in Wilson, North Carolina. Owned and operated by North Carolinians for 87 years. Family owned with 4 generations participating in the operation and ownership of White's International. White's has 6 full service dealerships to serve the state of North Carolina from the mountains to the coast.

"This is a huge victory for White's" said Carter White V.P. of White's International. "With the economic downturn this is just what we need to help increase revenue to insure jobs and possibly create new ones across North Carolina. Plus new opportunities will emerge for us and other dealers in terms of parts and service, and we are looking forward to the interface."

"IC Bus stands apart from the competition because of our commitment to partner with our customers to ensure we deliver buses that meet their unique needs," said John McKinney, president, IC Bus. "For the North Carolina bid, IC Bus worked closely with White's International to demonstrate that difference. We are pleased to have the opportunity to provide the State with the industry-leading school buses."

Three school bus manufacturers competed for the bid, a process which began in mid-September 2009. The CE Series buses for North Carolina will be powered by MaxxForce® engines, which are not only the most popular school bus engines in the school bus industry, but which also have a reputation for exceptional reliability and superior fuel economy. IC Bus is the only school bus manufacturer with a vertically integrated engine family, a strategic advantage in this bid process during this period of limited engine availability ahead of the industry's change to 2010 emissions.

The team from White's International has a keen understanding of the needs of this customer. They helped demonstrate how White's & IC Bus could be a partner to them during and after the sale.

An IC Bus customer since 2001, North Carolina plans to use the buses in school districts across the state. The over 800 CE Series buses are funded as part of the state's annual budget appropriation for school bus replacement. McKinney added, "With other states cutting school bus routes due to budget cuts, it's encouraging to see North Carolina maintain its commitment to ensuring that children across the state have access to safe transportation to school."