Nimal Jaysinghe and Sherajh Rahim outside the Grenda head office in Dandenong after it launched in October 2008. Last week, the Grenda family announced the business would be sold. 23605
By Nicole Williams
LONGSTANDING Dandenong business, Grenda Transit, is hitting the road and selling up.
The Grenda family announced the decision to put Grenda Transit and Volgren on the market to staff last Tuesday after nearly seven decades in the bus industry.
Director Ken Grenda said the decision was not easy to make.
“The decision to part with our family’s business has not been taken lightly,” he said.
“However as the family grows, interests continue to diverge, with the next generation not expected to be in a position to run the business for a number of years.”
Grenda management decided the business would be better positioned under the care of an organisation with strong ambitions in the industry, Mr Grenda said.
George Grenda started Grenda Transit in 1945 and covered bus routes in Oakleigh, Dandenong, Berwick and Cheltenham.
Volgren was established in 1977 as the manufacturing arm of Grenda and became the market leader in body assembly in Australia, with plants in Dandenong, Perth, Brisbane and Newcastle.
Together they employ over 2000 people.
Mr Grenda thanked the employees of Grenda and said the family were very grateful for their loyalty and hard work.
Grenda Transit appointed UBS as advisors on the sale and a spokesperson said the business had a long and respected reputation in the local market, making it attractive for potential buyers.
