---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001589526-26-000017"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "BLBD"
cik: "0001589526"
company_name: "Blue Bird Corp"
filed_at: "2026-04-02T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T07:50:39.877731+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Blue Bird completes acquisition of Micro Bird joint venture for ~$202M, full ownership

## Summary
- Acquired remaining 50% of Micro Bird for ~$202M: $63M cash plus 2.7M shares valued at $51.35.
- Issued exchangeable shares with staggered lock-up; 17.9% released Oct 2026, final 18.5% Apr 2029.
- Steve Girardin appointed to Board as Class III director; Dave Girardin as alternate if needed.
- Full ownership integrates operations under one brand; expands into Buy America–compliant shuttle bus market.
- Micro Bird has ~960 employees across Drummondville, Quebec and Plattsburgh, New York facilities.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001589526-26-000017
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: BLBD
- cik: 0001589526
- company_name: Blue Bird Corp
- filed_at: 2026-04-02T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.01, 3.02, 5.02, 5.03, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589526/000158952626000017/0001589526-26-000017-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589526/000158952626000017/blbd-20260401.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001589526-26-000017
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001589526-26-000017.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001589526-26-000017.txt

## Source-grounded claims
- claim_id: 0ae54bd36494fea1e52777f6ecafafe506ade428
  claim: Blue Bird Corp: Certificate of Designation filed creating Special Voting Shares with voting rights for Exchangeable Share holders (effective 2026-04-01).
  evidence_excerpt: On March 30, 2026, and in connection with the acquisition contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Board of Directors of Parent approved the filing of a Certificate of Designation of the Special Voting Share (the “ Certificate of Designation ”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589526/000158952626000017/0001589526-26-000017-index.htm
- claim_id: 5cbc09ee4af6a06c40556dd3ebad79f28aa407af
  claim: Blue Bird Corp completed an acquisition involving Girardin Group (AG 2014 Trust, SG One 2014 Trust, DG One 2014 Trust, Groupe Autobus Girardin Ltée, Girardin Minibus JV 2 Inc.) for $201,787,193 (closed 2026-04-01).
  evidence_excerpt: of Québec (“ MB Canada Target ” and together with MB US Target, the “ Micro Bird Targets ” and each, a “ Target ”) collectively in exchange for an aggregate purchase price of $201,787,193 (the “ Purchase Price ”). Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Purchase Price was paid as follows: (i) approximately 30% of the Purchase Price paid as cash in the amount
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589526/000158952626000017/0001589526-26-000017-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.