Custom Moments

1935: Custom traces its history to Cycle Components Manufacturing Company (CCMC), based in Marion Street Guildford. CCMC established by Stanley Hillsdon, who had been manufacturing racing bicycles since 1911.

Image: Stanley and Margo Hillsdon 1950

1946: CCMC won the NSW contract to make reversible seats for Sydney’s extensive tram system.

1955: CCMC won the first bus contract to provide the NSW Department of Transport for 125 rigid buses known as “standees”.

Image: Custom’s first bus with staff 1955

1962: Stanley Hillsdon sold CCMC to his nephew by marriage Jack Violet.

1970′s: The Guildford factory is expanded to Smithfield to manage the increasing number of orders.

1980s: CCMC became known as Custom Coaches and is now building over 100 bus bodies per year.

1995: Custom Coaches established a purpose built bus manufacturing plant on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image: Custom Queensland

2000: Custom Coaches roll out over 400 buses and bought the Australian Bus Manufacturing Company in Adelaide, the largest bus manufacturing plant in Australia at the time.

2001: Custom Care was established  specialising in parts, repairs, refurbishments and technical support to the broader industry.

2002: Mark Burgess, the nephew by marriage of Jack Violet,  became the new CEO of Custom Coaches.

2005: Mark Burgess, along with his brother Paul Burgess, and long time business partner Chris Absalom, purchased Custom Coaches from Jack Violet.

Image: Paul Burgess, Mark Burgess, Greg Violet, Jack Violet, Sharon Hobson  and Anne Burgess 2005

2009: The total number of buses produced by Custom exceeds 15,000.

2010: Custom Coaches receives investment by the new owners involving a $20 million injection into Custom Coaches including:

• rebranding from Custom Coaches to Custom,
• purchase of new factory site in Villawoood,
• purchase of advanced laser and design equipment,
• streamlining of quality and production.

2011: Custom wins Supplier of the Year, awarded by BusNSW.