
39
• Ebusco is in the process of optimising its integra-
ted supply chain organisation, supplier base and
manufacturing footprint from a global perspective,
to enable agile responses to large and rapid shifts
in demand and supply globally.
THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIERS
Ebusco’s zero-emission buses contain numerous com-
ponents that are purchased from a limited number of
third-party suppliers, including the company’s lithium
iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Ebusco also relies on
a third-party supplier in China for the assembly of its
existing zero-emission buses and a supplier in Europe
for the carbon bre for its composite body. This could
expose the company to potential third-party risks of
price increases, disruptions, failure to deliver compo
-
nents as specied, non-performance or other factors
beyond the company’s third-party suppliers’ control.
The unavailability of any component or supplier at ac
-
ceptable prices or at all could result in manufacturing
or assembly delays and product design changes, and
Ebusco may incur penalties from its customers. As
there are a limited number of third-party suppliers for
a number of the components used by Ebusco in its ze
-
ro-emission buses, should the demand for production
increase across the market, third-party suppliers may
be unable to meet the needs of customers, including
Ebusco. In addition, as the company increases its volu
-
me of zero-emission buses, its supply needs will incre-
ase and could become increasingly difcult to meet.
With respect to the batteries purchased by Ebusco for
its products, the batteries have been customised and
adapted to Ebusco’s bus design. Ebusco’s electrical
systems and software have also been customised for
each of their batteries. As a result, if the company were
required to replace either or both of its third-party bat
-
tery suppliers, Ebusco may have to incur a substantial
amount of expense to nd a new battery supplier and
update other components or systems of its zero-emis
-
sion buses to work with a different battery. This could
also lead to signicant delays in delivering Ebusco’s
products as related components are redesigned or
modied.
Risk response:
Ebusco has put in place the following
risk mitigation measures to cope with this strategic
risk:
• Increase in stock of critical bus components;
• Strategic partnerships to ensure an efcient and
effective global supply chain;
• Batteries are sourced from two major, qualied sup
-
pliers.
SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS
Ebusco is exposed to the risk of supply disruptions and
shortages, including due to epidemics or pandemics
of diseases, geopolitical factors, governmental chan
-
ges, nancial distress experienced by suppliers, power
outages, production difculties of suppliers, natural or
man-made disasters and restrictions, tariffs or other
unforeseen circumstances. Ebusco has in the past
and continues to experience supply chain disrupti
-
ons and supply shortages as a result of the prolonged
Covid-19 pandemic, Further supply chain disruptions
and/or shortages can directly impact the company’s
ANNUAL REPORT EBUSCO 2021
INTRODUCTION MANAGEMENT BOARD REPORT GOVERNANCE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OTHER INFORMATION
ability to produce and/or ship its zero-emission buses,
which in turn could have a material adverse effect on
the company’s business, nancial condition, results
of operations or prospects.
In order to optimise the development, manufacturing
and assembly of its zero-emission buses, Ebusco
must manage its supply chain with third parties for its
bus components and technology as well as the deli
-
very of the zero-emission buses. In some instances,
such as delays due to extended shipping routes due to
blockages in traditional routes, disruption in the sup
-
ply chain can be caused by factors outside of the con-
trol of Ebusco or its third-party suppliers. Fragmen-
tation in the supply chain and/or any changes in the
regulatory laws or political situation in the countries
that the company or its third-party suppliers operate
in or must transport its products or supplies to or from
could further complicate supply chain disruption risks
and result in delays in deliveries.
Where a third-party supplier is unable to deliver com
-
ponents as specied, Ebusco may be unable to ob-
tain such components in a timely manner and such
supply chain disruption may cause the company to
experience delays in completing an order, thereby in
-
curring penalties. If the amount Ebusco is required to
pay in penalties exceeds the cost of components that
caused the delay or exceeds the amount of the order,
Ebusco could incur a loss under the relevant contract.
In addition, where a third party is unable to deliver
components as specied, the company may be forced
to recall or remedy malfunctioned components, which
could subject Ebusco to reputational harm and additi
-
onal expenses.
Risk response:
Ebusco has put in place the following
risk mitigation measures to cope with this strategic
risk:
• Increase in stock of critical bus components. Fu-
rthermore, the company is making balanced in-
vestments in both global and local supply chains
to reduce dependencies and lead times and to
meet local market requirements;
• Strategic partnerships to ensure an efcient and
effective global supply chain;
• T
he company is taking pro-active steps to mana-
ge the risk of further impact from the supply chain
disruptions by rebuilding its safety stock, shipping
components by air rather than ships (where this is
an option and feasible from a cost perspective),
designing alternative replacement parts, installing
certain components at its headquarters in Deurne
instead of its third-party assembly partner in China
and by using exchange parts.
ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Ebusco may be unable to keep up with the changes
in zero-emission technology or other alternative fuel
sources and, as a result, its competitiveness may suf
-
fer. Developments or advances in alternative techno-
logies, such as hydrogen fuel cells, advanced diesel,
ethanol, or compressed natural gas, or improvements
in the fuel economy of the internal combustion engi
-
ne or other technological advances that would make
such alternative technologies more
competitive