Blue Bird (BLBD) 10-Q 5 Feb 25 2025 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Jan. 31, 2025
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 28, 2024
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36267
Entity Registrant Name	BLUE BIRD CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	46-3891989
Entity Address, Address Line One	3920 Arkwright Road
Entity Address, Address Line Two	2nd Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	Macon
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	31210
City Area Code	478
Local Phone Number	822-2801
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.0001 par value
Trading Symbol	BLBD
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,111,078
Entity Central Index Key	0001589526
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-27
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2025
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 28, 2024	Sep. 28, 2024
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 136,119	$ 127,687
Accounts receivable, net	13,996	59,099
Inventories	163,120	127,798
Other current assets	17,623	8,795
Total current assets	330,858	323,379
Property, plant and equipment, net	98,384	97,322
Goodwill	18,825	18,825
Intangible assets, net	43,087	43,554
Equity investment in affiliates	34,393	32,089
Deferred tax assets	2,112	2,399
Finance lease right-of-use assets	156	332
Pension	5,156	4,649
Other assets	2,251	2,345
Total assets	535,222	524,894
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	137,757	143,156
Warranty	7,059	7,166
Accrued expenses	46,738	55,775
Deferred warranty income	9,907	9,421
Finance lease obligations	436	975
Other current liabilities	22,530	14,480
Current portion of long-term debt	5,000	5,000
Total current liabilities	229,427	235,973
Long-term liabilities
Revolving credit facility	0	0
Long-term debt	88,828	89,994
Warranty	9,068	9,013
Deferred warranty income	19,652	18,541
Deferred tax liabilities	368	2,783
Finance lease obligations	6	6
Other liabilities	8,168	9,020
Total long-term liabilities	126,090	129,357
Guarantees, commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares outstanding at December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024	0	0
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 32,111,078 and 32,268,022 shares issued and outstanding at December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, respectively	3	3
Additional paid-in capital	187,379	185,977
Retained earnings	18,686	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(26,363)	(26,416)
Total stockholders' equity	179,705	159,564
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 535,222	$ 524,894

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 28, 2024	Sep. 28, 2024
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, Par Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Par Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	32,111,078	32,268,022

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 313,872	$ 317,660
Cost of goods sold	253,555	254,102
Gross profit	60,317	63,558
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses	27,275	25,602
Operating profit	33,042	37,956
Interest expense	(1,915)	(3,631)
Interest income	1,568	1,088
Other income (expense), net	2,916	(1,221)
Loss on debt refinancing	0	(1,558)
Income before income taxes	35,611	32,634
Income tax expense	(8,693)	(8,446)
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates	1,804	1,962
Net income	$ 28,722	$ 26,150
Earnings per share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	32,227,723	32,170,779
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	33,360,940	32,429,127
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.89	$ 0.81
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ 0.81

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 28,722	$ 26,150
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net change in defined benefit pension plan	53	131
Total other comprehensive income	53	131
Comprehensive income	$ 28,775	$ 26,281

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 28,722	$ 26,150
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	3,856	3,618
Non-cash interest expense	84	132
Share-based compensation expense	2,506	2,051
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates	(1,804)	(1,962)
Dividend from equity investment in affiliates	0	2,991
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	20	4
Deferred income tax expense	(2,145)	1,143
Amortization of deferred actuarial pension losses	70	172
Loss on debt refinancing	0	1,558
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	45,103	1,467
Inventories	(35,322)	(7,171)
Other assets	(9,241)	(3,095)
Accounts payable	(5,473)	(23,103)
Accrued expenses, pension and other liabilities	34	(3,738)
Total adjustments	(2,312)	(25,933)
Total cash provided by operating activities	26,410	217
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for fixed assets	(4,594)	(2,904)
Equity investment in affiliates (Note 12)	(500)	0
Total cash used in investing activities	(5,094)	(2,904)
Cash flows from financing activities
Revolving credit facility borrowings	0	36,220
Term loan borrowings	0	100,000
Term loan repayments	(1,250)	(131,800)
Principal payments on finance leases	(538)	(145)
Cash paid for debt costs	0	(3,128)
Repurchase of common stock in connection with repurchase program (Note 13)	(10,036)	0
Repurchase of common stock in connection with stock award exercises	(1,445)	(301)
Cash received from stock option exercises	385	149
Total cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(12,884)	995
Change in cash and cash equivalents	8,432	(1,692)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	127,687	78,988
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	136,119	77,296
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Interest paid	2,368	2,895
Interest received	(1,436)	(1,088)
Income tax paid, net of tax refunds	80	2
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Changes in accounts payable for capital additions to property, plant and equipment	1,940	953
Warrants issued for equity investment in affiliate	0	7,416
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations	$ 0	$ 1,241

Consolidated Statement of Stock

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Deficit Statement - USD ($)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In-Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Treasury Stock
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2023		32,165,225				1,782,568
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2023	$ 39,998,000	$ 3,000	$ 177,861,000	$ (31,884,000)	$ (55,700,000)	$ (50,282,000)
Issuance of warrants	7,416,000		7,416,000
Restricted stock activity (in shares)		22,115
Restricted stock activity	(301,000)		(301,000)
Stock option activity (in shares)		11,252
Stock option activity	149,000		149,000
Share-based compensation expense	2,034,000		2,034,000
Share repurchases (Note 13)	0
Net income	26,150,000				26,150,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	131,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	131,000			131,000
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2023		32,198,592				1,782,568
Ending Balance at Dec. 30, 2023	75,577,000	$ 3,000	187,159,000	(31,753,000)	(29,550,000)	$ (50,282,000)
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 28, 2024		32,268,022				0
Beginning Balance at Sep. 28, 2024	159,564,000	$ 3,000	185,977,000	(26,416,000)	0	$ 0
Restricted stock activity (in shares)		57,420
Restricted stock activity	(1,445,000)		(1,445,000)
Stock option activity (in shares)		29,086
Stock option activity	385,000		385,000
Share-based compensation expense	$ 2,462,000		2,462,000
Share repurchases (Note 13) (in shares)	(243,450)
Share repurchases (Note 13)	$ (10,036,000)
Net income	28,722,000				28,722,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	53,000			53,000
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2024		32,111,078				0
Ending Balance at Dec. 28, 2024	$ 179,705,000	$ 3,000	$ 187,379,000	$ (26,363,000)	$ 18,686,000	$ 0

Nature of Business and Basis of

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation	1. Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation Nature of Business Blue Bird Body Company ("BBBC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Bird Corporation, was incorporated in 1958 and has manufactured, assembled and sold school buses to a variety of municipal, federal and commercial customers since 1927. The majority of BBBC’s sales are made to an independent dealer network, which in turn sells buses to ultimate end users. References in these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements to “Blue Bird,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” relate to Blue Bird Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. We are headquartered in Macon, Georgia. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30 with its quarters consisting of thirteen weeks in most years. The fiscal years ending September 27, 2025 ("fiscal 2025") and ended September 28, 2024 ("fiscal 2024") consist or consisted of 52 weeks. The first quarters of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 both included 13 weeks. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial results have been made. Such adjustments consist of only those of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data as of September 28, 2024 was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. For additional information, including the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes as of and for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024 as set forth in the Company's fiscal 2024 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 25, 2024. Impacts of Supply Chain Constraints on Our Business The global automotive industry supply chain constraints that arose subsequent to the novel coronavirus pandemic known as "COVID-19" and that were further exacerbated by additional stress resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 continued to impact our business and operations during the first quarters of fiscal 2024 and 2025. Specifically, they continued to result in higher purchasing costs, including freight costs incurred to deliver critical components, to procure the raw materials inventory needed to produce buses to fulfill sales orders. Additionally, there were still occasional shortages of certain critical components that limited the number and/or mix of school buses that we could produce and sell. Nonetheless, ongoing improvements in manufacturing operations that have resulted in the consistent production of buses, when coupled with periodic pricing actions taken to ensure that the increased sales prices charged for buses keep pace with increased costs to procure inventory to produce buses, have resulted in the Company reporting gross profit and gross margin in the first quarters of fiscal 2025 and 2024 that exceeded those reported in pre-pandemic fiscal years. Significant uncertainty still exists concerning the magnitude and duration of the ongoing supply chain constraints and accordingly, precludes any prediction as to the ultimate severity of the adverse impacts on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity. Use of Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. At the date of the financial statements, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and during the reporting period, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. For example, significant management judgments are required in determining excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory; the allowance for doubtful accounts; potential impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets; and the accounting for self-insurance reserves, warranty reserves, pension obligations, income taxes, environmental liabilities and contingencies. Future events, including the extent and duration of continued supply chain constraints and their related economic impacts, and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty, and, accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. The Company evaluates and updates its assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in the Company’s evaluations. Actual results could differ from the estimates that the Company has used.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the Company’s fiscal 2024 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on November 25, 2024. Our senior management has reviewed these significant accounting policies and related disclosures and determined that there were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies in the three months ended December 28, 2024. Recently Issued Accounting Standards ASU 2023-07 On November 27, 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures , which requires public business entities ("PBEs") to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses on an interim and annual basis. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2023-09 On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures , which requires entities to disclose more detailed information in their reconciliation of their statutory tax rate to their effective tax rate. PBEs are required to provide this incremental detail in a numerical, tabular format. The ASU also requires entities to disclose more detailed information about income taxes paid, including by jurisdiction; pretax income (or loss) from continuing operations; and income tax expense (or benefit). The ASU is effective for PBEs in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. ASUs 2024-03 & 2025-01 On November 4, 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses , which requires PBEs to disclose disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items. On January 6, 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date , to clarify the effective date of ASU 2024-03, which is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. The new ASUs will not impact amounts recorded in the financial statements but instead, will require more detailed disclosures in the footnotes to the financial statement. The Company plans to provide the updated disclosures required by the ASUs in the periods in which they are effective.

Supplemental Financial Informat

Supplemental Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Financial Information	3. Supplemental Financial Information Inventories The following table presents the components of inventories at the dates indicated: (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 September 28, 2024 Raw materials $ 104,495 $ 83,027 Work in process 38,256 32,556 Finished goods 20,369 12,215 Total inventories $ 163,120 $ 127,798 Product Warranties The following table reflects activity in accrued warranty cost (current and long-term portions combined) for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Balance at beginning of period $ 16,179 $ 15,434 Add current period accruals 2,538 2,341 Current period reductions of accrual (2,590) (2,492) Balance at end of period $ 16,127 $ 15,283 Extended Warranties The following table reflects activity in deferred warranty income (current and long-term portions combined), for the sale of extended warranties of two Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Balance at beginning of period $ 27,962 $ 23,123 Add current period deferred income 3,929 2,998 Current period recognition of income (2,332) (2,003) Balance at end of period $ 29,559 $ 24,118 The outstanding balance of deferred warranty income in the table above is considered a "contract liability," and represents a performance obligation of the Company that we satisfy over the term of the arrangement but for which we have been paid in full at the time the warranty was sold. We expect to recognize $8.6 million of the outstanding contract liability during the remainder of fiscal 2025, $13.6 million in fiscal 2026, and the remaining balance thereafter. Self-Insurance The following table reflects our total accrued self-insurance liability, comprised of workers' compensation and health insurance related claims, at the dates indicated: (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 September 28, 2024 Current portion $ 4,723 $ 5,008 Long-term portion 2,596 2,248 Total accrued self-insurance $ 7,319 $ 7,256 The current and long-term portions of the accrued self-insurance liability are reflected in accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Shipping and Handling Revenues Shipping and handling revenues were $5.1 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. The related cost of goods sold was $4.6 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. Pension (Income) Expense Components of net periodic pension benefit (income) expense were as follows for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Interest cost $ 1,312 $ 1,484 Expected return on plan assets (1,819) (1,620) Amortization of prior loss 70 172 Net periodic pension benefit (income) expense $ (437) $ 36 Amortization of prior loss, recognized in other comprehensive income (70) (172) Total recognized in net periodic pension benefit (income) expense and other comprehensive income $ (507) $ (136)

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	4. Debt Term loan borrowings consisted of the following at the dates indicated: (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 September 28, 2024 Term loan borrowings, net of deferred financing costs of $1,172 and $1,256, respectively $ 93,828 $ 94,994 Less: current portion of long-term debt 5,000 5,000 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 88,828 $ 89,994 Term loan borrowings are recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at the unpaid principal balance, and are not subject to fair value measurement; however, given the variable rates on the loans, the Company estimates that the unpaid principal balance approximates fair value. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, the term loans would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. At December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, $95.0 million and $96.3 million, respectively, were outstanding on the term loans. At December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, the stated interest rates on the term loans were 6.4% and 6.9%, respectively. At December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, the weighted-average annual effective interest rates for the term loans were 7.0% and 8.2%, respectively, which include amortization of the deferred financing costs. At December 28, 2024, $6.7 million of letters of credit were outstanding, which reduces the availability on the revolving line of credit. There were no borrowings outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility; therefore, the Company would have been able to borrow $143.3 million on the revolving line of credit. Interest expense on all indebtedness was $1.9 million and $3.6 million for the three months ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. The schedule of remaining principal payments through maturity for the term loans is as follows: (in thousands of dollars) Fiscal Year Principal Payments 2025 $ 3,750 2026 5,000 2027 5,000 2028 5,000 2029 5,000 Thereafter 71,250 Total remaining principal payments $ 95,000

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	5. Income Taxes Income tax provisions for interim periods are based on estimated annual income tax rates, adjusted to reflect the effects of any significant infrequent or unusual items that are required to be discretely recognized within the current interim period. The effective tax rates in the periods presented are largely based upon the annual forecasted pre-tax earnings mix and allocation of certain expenses in various taxing jurisdictions where the Company conducts its business, primarily in the United States of America ("U.S."). In periods where our pre-tax income approximates or is equal to break-even, the effective tax rates for quarter-to-date and full-year periods may not be meaningful due to discrete period items. Three Months The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 28, 2024 was 24.4% and differed from the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%. The increase was primarily due to the impacts from state taxes and certain permanent items on the federal rate, which were partially offset by the impacts from federal and state tax credits (net of valuation allowances) and discrete period items during the quarter. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 30, 2023 was 25.9% and differed from the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%. The increase was primarily due to the impacts from state taxes and certain permanent items on the federal rate, which were partially offset by the impacts from federal and state tax credits (net of valuation allowances) and discrete period items during the quarter.

Guarantees, Commitments and Con

Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies	6. Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies Litigation At December 28, 2024, the Company had a number of product liability and other cases pending. Management believes that, considering the Company’s insurance coverage and its intention to vigorously defend its positions, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements. Environmental

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	7. Segment Information We manage our business in two operating segments: (i) the Bus segment, which includes the manufacturing and assembly of buses to be sold to a variety of customers across the U.S., Canada and in certain limited international markets; and (ii) the Parts segment, which consists primarily of the purchase of parts from third parties to be sold to dealers within the Company’s network and certain large fleet customers. Management evaluates the segments based primarily upon revenues and gross profit, which are reflected in the tables below for the periods presented: Net sales Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Bus (1) $ 288,147 $ 293,437 Parts (1) 25,725 24,223 Segment net sales $ 313,872 $ 317,660 (1) Parts segment revenue includes $1.9 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, related to inter-segment sales of parts that was eliminated by the Bus segment upon consolidation. Gross profit Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Bus $ 47,172 $ 51,294 Parts 13,145 12,264 Segment gross profit $ 60,317 $ 63,558 The following table is a reconciliation of segment gross profit to consolidated income before income taxes for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Segment gross profit $ 60,317 $ 63,558 Adjustments: Selling, general and administrative expenses (27,275) (25,602) Interest expense (1,915) (3,631) Interest income 1,568 1,088 Other income (expense), net 2,916 (1,221) Loss on debt refinancing — (1,558) Income before income taxes $ 35,611 $ 32,634 Sales are attributable to geographic areas based on customer location and were as follows for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 U.S. $ 287,957 $ 302,532 Canada 24,603 15,119 Rest of world 1,312 9 Total net sales $ 313,872 $ 317,660

Revenue

Revenue	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer	8. Revenue The following table disaggregates revenue by product category for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Diesel buses $ 124,372 $ 84,998 Alternative power buses (1) 148,922 195,329 Other (2) 15,487 13,697 Parts 25,091 23,636 Net sales $ 313,872 $ 317,660 (1) Includes buses sold with any power source other than diesel (e.g., gasoline, propane, compressed natural gas ("CNG") or electric). (2) Includes shipping and handling revenue, extended warranty income, surcharges and chassis and bus shell sales.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	9. Earnings Per Share The following table presents the earnings per share computation for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands except for share data) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Numerator: Net income $ 28,722 $ 26,150 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 32,227,723 32,170,779 Weighted-average dilutive securities, restricted stock 479,759 145,759 Weighted-average dilutive securities, stock options 249,233 100,170 Weighted-average dilutive securities, warrants 404,225 12,419 Weighted-average shares and dilutive potential common shares (1) 33,360,940 32,429,127 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 0.89 $ 0.81 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.86 $ 0.81 (1) Potentially dilutive securities representing approximately 0.2 million shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 30, 2023, as their effect would have been antidilutive.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table provides information on changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) Defined Benefit Pension Plan Total AOCL December 28, 2024 Beginning Balance $ (26,416) $ (26,416) Amounts reclassified and included in earnings 70 70 Total before taxes 70 70 Income taxes (17) (17) Ending Balance December 28, 2024 $ (26,363) $ (26,363) December 30, 2023 Beginning Balance $ (31,884) $ (31,884) Amounts reclassified and included in earnings 172 172 Total before taxes 172 172 Income taxes (41) (41) Ending Balance December 30, 2023 $ (31,753) $ (31,753)

Stockholder Transaction Costs

Stockholder Transaction Costs	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholder Transaction Costs	11. Stockholder Transaction Costs On December 14, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with BofA Securities, Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters and American Securities LLC ("Selling Stockholder"), pursuant to which the Selling Stockholder agreed to sell 2,500,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $25.10 per share (“Offering”). The Offering was conducted pursuant to a prospectus supplement, dated December 14, 2023, to the prospectus dated December 22, 2021 included in the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-261858) that was initially filed with the SEC on December 23, 2021. The Offering closed on December 19, 2023. Although the Company did not sell any shares or receive any proceeds from the Offering, it was required to pay certain expenses in connection with the transaction that totaled approximately $1.2 million for the three months ended December 30, 2023. The $1.2 million of expense is included within other income (expense), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended December 30, 2023. No such expense was incurred in the three months ended December 28, 2024. 13. Stockholders’ Equity Share Repurchase Program and Common Stock Retirement On January 31, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and approved a share repurchase program for up to $60 million of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock over a period of 24 months, expiring January 31, 2026. Under the share repurchase program, the Company may repurchase shares through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share repurchase transactions, block purchases or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. During the three months ended December 28, 2024, the Company repurchased 243,450 shares of its common stock for $10.0 million, pursuant to the share repurchase plan. The Company constructively retired these shares immediately after repurchase, with the $10.0 million amount paid in excess of the $0.0001 par value of each share recorded as a reduction in retained earnings. No such repurchases were made during the three months ended December 30, 2023. The total remaining authorization for future common stock repurchases under the Company's share repurchase program was $40.0 million as of December 28, 2024.

Joint Ventures

Joint Ventures	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Joint Ventures	12. Equity Investment in Affiliates The Company has made investments in the below entities and utilizes the equity method of accounting to record its interest in them as it does not have control to direct the activities that most significantly impact their financial performance based on the shared powers of the venture partners. The carrying amount of the equity method investments is adjusted for any contribution that the Company makes to them as well as for the Company’s proportionate share of net earnings or losses and any dividends received. Micro Bird Holdings, Inc. The Company holds a 50% equity interest in Micro Bird Holdings, Inc. ("Micro Bird"), our unconsolidated Canadian joint venture that produces Blue Bird Micro Bird by Girardin Type A buses in Drummondville, Quebec. In recognizing the Company’s 50% portion of Micro Bird's net income or loss, the Company recorded $2.1 million and $2.0 million in equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. In December 2023, Micro Bird paid dividends to all common stockholders, with the Company's proportionate share totaling $3.0 million, gross of required withholding taxes. The dividend was recorded as a reduction in the balance of equity investment in affiliates on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and is presented as a cash inflow in the operating section of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. No dividends were paid in the three months ended December 28, 2024. At December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, the carrying value of the Company's investment in Micro Bird included within equity investment in affiliates on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $26.6 million and $24.4 million, respectively. Clean Bus Solutions, LLC The Company holds a 50% equity interest in Clean Bus Solutions, LLC ("CBS"), our unconsolidated joint venture that provides a fleet-as-a-service ("FaaS") offering using electric school buses manufactured and sold by the Company. The service is offered to qualified customers of the Company by providing them with turnkey electrification solutions, including a wide product range consisting of, among others, electric school buses, financing of electric buses and supporting charging infrastructure, project planning and management, and fleet optimization. During the three months ended December 28, 2024, the Company made a $0.5 million cash contribution to CBS and during the three months ended December 30, 2023, the Company recorded the $7.4 million fair value of warrants it issued to the joint venture partner as its initial investment in CBS, both of which increased the balance of equity investment in affiliates on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In recognizing the Company’s 50% portion of CBS' net income or loss, the Company recorded $(0.3) million (a loss) in equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended December 28, 2024, while no amount was recorded in the three months ended December 30, 2023. CBS paid no dividends in either period. At December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, the carrying value of the Company's investment in CBS included within equity investment in affiliates on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $7.8 million and $7.7 million, respectively.

Stockholders' Deficit

Stockholders' Deficit	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	11. Stockholder Transaction Costs On December 14, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with BofA Securities, Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters and American Securities LLC ("Selling Stockholder"), pursuant to which the Selling Stockholder agreed to sell 2,500,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $25.10 per share (“Offering”). The Offering was conducted pursuant to a prospectus supplement, dated December 14, 2023, to the prospectus dated December 22, 2021 included in the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-261858) that was initially filed with the SEC on December 23, 2021. The Offering closed on December 19, 2023. Although the Company did not sell any shares or receive any proceeds from the Offering, it was required to pay certain expenses in connection with the transaction that totaled approximately $1.2 million for the three months ended December 30, 2023. The $1.2 million of expense is included within other income (expense), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended December 30, 2023. No such expense was incurred in the three months ended December 28, 2024. 13. Stockholders’ Equity Share Repurchase Program and Common Stock Retirement On January 31, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and approved a share repurchase program for up to $60 million of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock over a period of 24 months, expiring January 31, 2026. Under the share repurchase program, the Company may repurchase shares through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share repurchase transactions, block purchases or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. During the three months ended December 28, 2024, the Company repurchased 243,450 shares of its common stock for $10.0 million, pursuant to the share repurchase plan. The Company constructively retired these shares immediately after repurchase, with the $10.0 million amount paid in excess of the $0.0001 par value of each share recorded as a reduction in retained earnings. No such repurchases were made during the three months ended December 30, 2023. The total remaining authorization for future common stock repurchases under the Company's share repurchase program was $40.0 million as of December 28, 2024.

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net income	$ 28,722	$ 26,150

Insider Trading Arrangements

Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

Nature of Business and Basis _2

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30 with its quarters consisting of thirteen weeks in most years. The fiscal years ending September 27, 2025 ("fiscal 2025") and ended September 28, 2024 ("fiscal 2024") consist or consisted of 52 weeks. The first quarters of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 both included 13 weeks. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial results have been made. Such adjustments consist of only those of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data as of September 28, 2024 was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. For additional information, including the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes as of and for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024 as set forth in the Company's fiscal 2024 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 25, 2024.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions	Use of Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. At the date of the financial statements, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and during the reporting period, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. For example, significant management judgments are required in determining excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory; the allowance for doubtful accounts; potential impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets; and the accounting for self-insurance reserves, warranty reserves, pension obligations, income taxes, environmental liabilities and contingencies. Future events, including the extent and duration of continued supply chain constraints and their related economic impacts, and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty, and, accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. The Company evaluates and updates its assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in the Company’s evaluations. Actual results could differ from the estimates that the Company has used.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards ASU 2023-07 On November 27, 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures , which requires public business entities ("PBEs") to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses on an interim and annual basis. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2023-09 On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures , which requires entities to disclose more detailed information in their reconciliation of their statutory tax rate to their effective tax rate. PBEs are required to provide this incremental detail in a numerical, tabular format. The ASU also requires entities to disclose more detailed information about income taxes paid, including by jurisdiction; pretax income (or loss) from continuing operations; and income tax expense (or benefit). The ASU is effective for PBEs in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. ASUs 2024-03 & 2025-01 On November 4, 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses , which requires PBEs to disclose disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items. On January 6, 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date , to clarify the effective date of ASU 2024-03, which is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. The new ASUs will not impact amounts recorded in the financial statements but instead, will require more detailed disclosures in the footnotes to the financial statement. The Company plans to provide the updated disclosures required by the ASUs in the periods in which they are effective.

Supplemental Financial Inform_2

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]
Inventories	The following table presents the components of inventories at the dates indicated: (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 September 28, 2024 Raw materials $ 104,495 $ 83,027 Work in process 38,256 32,556 Finished goods 20,369 12,215 Total inventories $ 163,120 $ 127,798
Product Warranties	The following table reflects activity in accrued warranty cost (current and long-term portions combined) for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Balance at beginning of period $ 16,179 $ 15,434 Add current period accruals 2,538 2,341 Current period reductions of accrual (2,590) (2,492) Balance at end of period $ 16,127 $ 15,283 Extended Warranties The following table reflects activity in deferred warranty income (current and long-term portions combined), for the sale of extended warranties of two Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Balance at beginning of period $ 27,962 $ 23,123 Add current period deferred income 3,929 2,998 Current period recognition of income (2,332) (2,003) Balance at end of period $ 29,559 $ 24,118
Self-Insurance	The following table reflects our total accrued self-insurance liability, comprised of workers' compensation and health insurance related claims, at the dates indicated: (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 September 28, 2024 Current portion $ 4,723 $ 5,008 Long-term portion 2,596 2,248 Total accrued self-insurance $ 7,319 $ 7,256
Pension Expense	Components of net periodic pension benefit (income) expense were as follows for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Interest cost $ 1,312 $ 1,484 Expected return on plan assets (1,819) (1,620) Amortization of prior loss 70 172 Net periodic pension benefit (income) expense $ (437) $ 36 Amortization of prior loss, recognized in other comprehensive income (70) (172) Total recognized in net periodic pension benefit (income) expense and other comprehensive income $ (507) $ (136)

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Term Debt Instruments	Term loan borrowings consisted of the following at the dates indicated: (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 September 28, 2024 Term loan borrowings, net of deferred financing costs of $1,172 and $1,256, respectively $ 93,828 $ 94,994 Less: current portion of long-term debt 5,000 5,000 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 88,828 $ 89,994
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	The schedule of remaining principal payments through maturity for the term loans is as follows: (in thousands of dollars) Fiscal Year Principal Payments 2025 $ 3,750 2026 5,000 2027 5,000 2028 5,000 2029 5,000 Thereafter 71,250 Total remaining principal payments $ 95,000

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Management evaluates the segments based primarily upon revenues and gross profit, which are reflected in the tables below for the periods presented: Net sales Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Bus (1) $ 288,147 $ 293,437 Parts (1) 25,725 24,223 Segment net sales $ 313,872 $ 317,660 (1) Parts segment revenue includes $1.9 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, related to inter-segment sales of parts that was eliminated by the Bus segment upon consolidation. Gross profit Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Bus $ 47,172 $ 51,294 Parts 13,145 12,264 Segment gross profit $ 60,317 $ 63,558
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	The following table is a reconciliation of segment gross profit to consolidated income before income taxes for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Segment gross profit $ 60,317 $ 63,558 Adjustments: Selling, general and administrative expenses (27,275) (25,602) Interest expense (1,915) (3,631) Interest income 1,568 1,088 Other income (expense), net 2,916 (1,221) Loss on debt refinancing — (1,558) Income before income taxes $ 35,611 $ 32,634
Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas	Sales are attributable to geographic areas based on customer location and were as follows for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 U.S. $ 287,957 $ 302,532 Canada 24,603 15,119 Rest of world 1,312 9 Total net sales $ 313,872 $ 317,660

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table disaggregates revenue by product category for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Diesel buses $ 124,372 $ 84,998 Alternative power buses (1) 148,922 195,329 Other (2) 15,487 13,697 Parts 25,091 23,636 Net sales $ 313,872 $ 317,660 (1) Includes buses sold with any power source other than diesel (e.g., gasoline, propane, compressed natural gas ("CNG") or electric).

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table presents the earnings per share computation for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands except for share data) December 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Numerator: Net income $ 28,722 $ 26,150 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 32,227,723 32,170,779 Weighted-average dilutive securities, restricted stock 479,759 145,759 Weighted-average dilutive securities, stock options 249,233 100,170 Weighted-average dilutive securities, warrants 404,225 12,419 Weighted-average shares and dilutive potential common shares (1) 33,360,940 32,429,127 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 0.89 $ 0.81 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.86 $ 0.81 (1) Potentially dilutive securities representing approximately 0.2 million shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 30, 2023, as their effect would have been antidilutive.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table provides information on changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") for the periods presented: Three Months Ended (in thousands of dollars) Defined Benefit Pension Plan Total AOCL December 28, 2024 Beginning Balance $ (26,416) $ (26,416) Amounts reclassified and included in earnings 70 70 Total before taxes 70 70 Income taxes (17) (17) Ending Balance December 28, 2024 $ (26,363) $ (26,363) December 30, 2023 Beginning Balance $ (31,884) $ (31,884) Amounts reclassified and included in earnings 172 172 Total before taxes 172 172 Income taxes (41) (41) Ending Balance December 30, 2023 $ (31,753) $ (31,753)

Supplemental Financial Inform_3

Supplemental Financial Information - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 28, 2024	Sep. 28, 2024
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 104,495	$ 83,027
Work in process	38,256	32,556
Finished goods	20,369	12,215
Total inventories	$ 163,120	$ 127,798

Supplemental Financial Inform_4

Supplemental Financial Information - Product Warranty Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 16,179	$ 15,434
Add current period accruals	2,538	2,341
Current period reductions of accrual	(2,590)	(2,492)
Balance at end of period	$ 16,127	$ 15,283

Supplemental Financial Inform_5

Supplemental Financial Information - Extended Warranty Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Movement in Extended Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 27,962	$ 23,123
Add current period deferred income	3,929	2,998
Current period recognition of income	(2,332)	(2,003)
Balance at end of period	$ 29,559	$ 24,118

Supplemental Financial Inform_6

Supplemental Financial Information Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 28, 2024 USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-12-29
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation	$ 8.6
Revenue, performance obligation, (in years)	9 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2025-12-28
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation	$ 13.6
Revenue, performance obligation, (in years)	1 year

Supplemental Financial Inform_7

Supplemental Financial Information - Self Insurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 28, 2024	Sep. 28, 2024
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]
Current portion	$ 4,723	$ 5,008
Long-term portion	2,596	2,248
Total accrued self-insurance	$ 7,319	$ 7,256

Supplemental Financial Inform_8

Supplemental Financial Information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Shipping and handling revenues	$ 313,872	$ 317,660
Minimum
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Extended product warranty, period	2 years
Maximum
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Extended product warranty, period	5 years
Shipping and Handling
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Shipping and handling revenues	$ 5,100	4,700
Shipping and handling cost of goods sold	$ 4,600	$ 4,300

Supplemental Financial Inform_9

Supplemental Financial Information - Pension Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]
Interest cost	$ 1,312	$ 1,484
Expected return on plan assets	(1,819)	(1,620)
Amortization of prior loss	70	172
Net periodic pension benefit (income) expense	(437)	36
Amortization of prior loss, recognized in other comprehensive income	(70)	(172)
Total recognized in net periodic pension benefit (income) expense and other comprehensive income	$ (507)	$ (136)

Debt - Narrative (Details)

Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023	Sep. 28, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 1,900,000	$ 3,600,000
Senior Term Loan | Senior Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit	$ 95,000,000		$ 96,300,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	6.40%		6.90%
Weighted average effective interest rate (as a percent)	7%		8.20%
Letters of Credit | Line of Credit | Senior Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remaining borrowing capacity	$ 143,300,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding	6,700,000
Revolving credit facility | Line of Credit | Senior Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit, amount outstanding	$ 0

Debt - Schedule of Long-term De

Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 28, 2024	Sep. 28, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 5,000	$ 5,000
Long-term debt	88,828	89,994
Senior Term Loan | 2023 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	93,828	94,994
Deferred financing costs	$ 1,172	$ 1,256

Debt - Maturity Schedule (Detai

Debt - Maturity Schedule (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 28, 2024 USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity
2025	$ 3,750
2026	5,000
2027	5,000
2028	5,000
2029	5,000
Thereafter	71,250
Total debt	$ 95,000

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	24.40%	25.90%
Statutory Federal income tax rate (as a percent)	21%	21%

Segment Information (Details)

Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024 USD ($) segment	Dec. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments | segment	2
Net sales	$ 313,872	$ 317,660
Gross profit	60,317	63,558
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	287,957	302,532
Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	24,603	15,119
Rest of world
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,312	9
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross profit	60,317	63,558
Operating Segments | Bus
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	288,147	293,437
Gross profit	47,172	51,294
Operating Segments | Parts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	25,725	24,223
Gross profit	13,145	12,264
Intersegment Eliminations | Parts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,900	$ 1,600

Segment Information - Reconcili

Segment Information - Reconciliation of Segment Gross Profit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment gross profit	$ 60,317	$ 63,558
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(27,275)	(25,602)
Interest expense	(1,915)	(3,631)
Interest income	1,568	1,088
Other income (expense), net	2,916	(1,221)
Loss on debt refinancing	0	(1,558)
Income before income taxes	35,611	32,634
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment gross profit	60,317	63,558
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(27,275)	(25,602)
Interest expense	(1,915)	(3,631)
Interest income	1,568	1,088
Other income (expense), net	2,916	(1,221)
Loss on debt refinancing	$ 0	$ (1,558)

Revenue (Details)

Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 313,872	$ 317,660
Diesel buses
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	124,372	84,998
Alternative fuel buses
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	148,922	195,329
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	15,487	13,697
Parts
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 25,091	$ 23,636

Earnings Per Share - Summary of

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income	$ 28,722	$ 26,150
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	32,227,723	32,170,779
Weighted average diluted securities, warrants	249,233	100,170
Weighted-average shares and dilutive potential common shares	33,360,940	32,429,127
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.89	$ 0.81
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ 0.81
Restricted Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted-average dilutive securities	479,759	145,759
Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted-average dilutive securities	404,225	12,419

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2023 shares
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	0.2

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 159,564
Ending Balance	179,705
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(26,416)	$ (31,884)
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings	70	172
Total before taxes	70	172
Income taxes	(17)	(41)
Ending Balance	(26,363)	(31,753)
AOCI Attributable to Parent
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(26,416)	(31,884)
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings	70	172
Total before taxes	70	172
Income taxes	(17)	(41)
Ending Balance	$ (26,363)	$ (31,753)

Stockholder Transaction Costs (

Stockholder Transaction Costs (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
	Dec. 14, 2023	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock sold, price per share (in USD per share)	$ 25.10
Accrue common stock issuance costs		$ 0	$ 1,200,000
Private Placement
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock sold (in shares)	2,500,000

Joint Ventures (Details)

Joint Ventures (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2023	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 28, 2024
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates		$ 1,804,000	$ 1,962,000
Equity investment in affiliates		34,393,000			$ 32,089,000
Equity investment in affiliates (Note 12)		$ 500,000	0
Micro Bird Holdings Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest in equity method investment (as a percent)		50%
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates		$ 2,100,000		$ 2,000,000
Equity investment in affiliates		$ 26,600,000			24,400,000
Clean Bus Solutions (CBS)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest in equity method investment (as a percent)		50%
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates		$ (300,000)	0
Dividends		0	0
Equity investment in affiliates		7,800,000			$ 7,700,000
Fair value of warrants			$ 7,400,000
Equity investment in affiliates (Note 12)		500,000
Related party
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Dividends	$ 3,000,000	$ 0

Stockholders' Equity - Narrativ

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2024	Dec. 30, 2023	Sep. 28, 2024	Jan. 31, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Authorized amount				$ 60,000,000
Term of share repurchase program	24 months
Share repurchases (Note 13) (in shares)	243,450
Share repurchases (Note 13)	$ 10,036,000	$ 0
Common Stock, Par Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001
Remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 40,000,000