Express Way: Building Buses, Building Confidence

In 2025, Jeff and Lori Greteman of Windstar Lines joined ABC Companies and other operators on a European excursion that offered more than sightseeing. The trip was designed to give motorcoach operators a firsthand look at how their vehicle is built, reinforcing the value of transparency in an industry where reliability and lifecycle planning are critical.

The journey began at VDL Groep’s headquarters in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, where participants gained unique insights into the company’s expertise and innovative advancements in manufacturing. For the Gretemans, who lead a family-owned company with deep roots in the Midwest, the visit underscored shared values of innovation and craftsmanship that connect global manufacturers and local operators.

The VDL Van Hool manufacturing plant in Skopje, North Macedonia, produces motorcoaches for operators around the world, including Windstar Lines. Precision engineering and skilled craftsmanship drive every step of the motorcoach manufacturing process.

Windstar Lines owners Jeff and Lori Greteman tour the Van Hool facility to see firsthand how their new CX45 coaches are designed and assembled.

Windstar Lines’ CX45 coaches near completion on the assembly line, representing thousands of hours of detailed work and engineering excellence.

A Van Hool CX45 takes shape on the factory floor, where craftsmanship and technology come together to create modern motorcoaches built for reliability and comfort.

On the Line

The highlight of the journey came at the Van Hool manufacturing plant in Skopje, North Macedonia. On the factory floor, the Gretemans walked past several of their new Van Hool CX45 coaches at various stages of production. Some were little more than skeletal frames, while others were nearing completion with finishing touches taking shape.

Watching their own fleet move through production created a direct connection between investing in new coaches and the process required to bring them to life. For Jeff and Lori, it reinforced the reality that every vehicle delivered to Windstar represents thousands of hours of precision work, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

For operators, trips like this are more than educational. They provide valuable insight into the full lifecycle of a vehicle, helping owners understand how design and assembly influence performance. This perspective can initiate conversations with technicians, drivers, and even customers. Operators gain confidence knowing their equipment was built with precision, and passengers trust the operator’s commitment to safety and quality.

Many operators continue to cite maintenance pressure, parts availability, and vehicle reliability as central operational challenges. The Greteman’s factory visit speaks directly to lifecycle planning. By watching coaches progress through assembly, they gained a deeper understanding of the complexity involved in building a modern motorcoach. From the initial chassis framework to interior installation and electrical testing, the visit offered perspective on how multiple disciplines and technologies come together to create a finished vehicle. Experiences like this give operators a more complete view of the process and the collaboration it takes to bring each vehicle from concept to completion.

From Factory to Road

Later in the year, the very same CX45 coaches Jeff and Lori saw being built in Macedonia were delivered to Windstar in the U.S.

“Seeing our coaches on the line and then delivered months later gave me a new appreciation for what goes into each vehicle,” says Jeff Greteman, president of Windstar Lines. “It reminded me that every Van Hool motorcoach we operate represents countless decisions, skills, and people working together toward the same goal.”

For Jeff and Lori, the trip underscored the importance of investing not only in equipment but also in the process and relationships that bring vehicles to life. Every Van Hool coach carries more than travelers; it carries the story of craftsmanship, family commitment, and trust, beginning long before the first mile.

Kiran Kaur is marketing communications manager at ABC Companies. She can be reached at [email protected].

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