CHARLOTTE, Mich., Feb. 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR ) ("Spartan" or "Company"), through its subsidiary Spartan Chassis , recognized the Detroit Fire Department (DFD) during a celebration on the Company's Charlotte, Michigan campus for the continued commitment of the DFD throughout the city's resurgence. Daryl Adams, Spartan's recently appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, was joined by Detroit Fire Commissioner Edsel Jenkins for a ceremonial presentation during the Pure Michigan Celebration, which resulted in the Company making a $10,000 donation to the Detroit Fire Department.
Pure Michigan
Spartan is building a 10 unit order for the DFD which it will complete together with Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., and their local dealer R&R Truck Repair, both which participated in today's event. Boasting a balanced combination of innovation, industry-leading quality and safety, the Spartan Metro Star® will provide the DFD the best fire truck cab/chassis, which is made in Michigan.
"As a Michigan-based company, Spartan is honored to supply the cab/chassis for this Detroit Fire Department order," Adams stated. "We find it rewarding on many levels and look forward to assisting the Detroit Fire Department in protecting the lives and property of its residents. Spartan is committed to supporting the City of Detroit and the state of Michigan by providing the best emergency response cab/chassis in the industry."
40 th Anniversary and the Spartan 9/11 Truck
"The Emergency Response (ER) segment is much more than a business at Spartan," said John Sztykiel, the retiring President and CEO of Spartan Motors. "Twenty-eight percent (28%) of the Spartan workforce has firefighting experience or currently serves. It is a big part of who we are. Today is also about celebrating the unique fabric of our associates. Following the 9/11 tragedy our associates built the 9/11 truck, which was delivered to the NYFD by Hendrickson Fire and Rescue Equipment of Islandia, New York. The 9/11 truck is a true demonstration of our commitment to the fire service and our national pride. We could not be more pleased to have the truck back. It will be restored and put it to great use in celebrating the fire service and what differentiates the Spartan Team."
February 19, 2015 also marked the commencement of Spartan's 40 th year celebration which will progress throughout the year. Spartan has been Pure Michigan for 40 years and will continue as a proud member of the Michigan-based business community and the economic force driving Michigan forward.
The Product
These custom apparatus built on a Metro Star® cab/chassis feature a four-door configuration with a 5-inch raised roof, 178-inch wheelbase, six-person seating, extreme-duty interior finish and an EMS cabinet. They are powered by a 400-horsepower Cummins ISL9 engine and an Allison 3000 GEN V EVS transmission.
Spartan is known throughout the industry for durable, high quality products – including its revolutionary Advanced Protection System™ (APS). Since its introduction in 2012, Spartan's APS has enjoyed strong market acceptance and is specified by customers on approximately 75% of orders received.
Spartan's APS provides protection in rollover, side impact and frontal impact incidents. APS features an industry leading eight airbags; including front airbags, side-impact air curtains, airbags for the driver and officer's positions and advanced seat belts with pyrotechnic pretensioners. The APS is the only cab protection system to feature ejection-mitigation airbag curtains for enhanced firefighter safety.
Community involvement, such as support for the Detroit Fire Department, aligns with Spartan's D.R.I.V.E. initiative as it promotes the Company's vibrant culture while also creating excited customers and brand loyalists. With the aid from Spartan and its approximately 1,700 associates, the Detroit Fire Department protects one of the nation's largest and most active fire and EMT regions.
D.R.I.V.E. is Spartan's operating strategy based on five tenets:
- D iversified Growth
- R edefining Technology and Innovation
- I ntegrated Operational Excellence
- V ibrant Culture
- E xcited Consumers/Brand Loyalists
About Spartan Chassis, Inc.
Spartan Chassis, Inc. is a world-class leader in the engineering, manufacturing and marketing of chassis and aftermarket parts for emergency response, recreational vehicle (RV), defense and specialty vehicles. End users recognize and request the Spartan Chassis brand, which consistently delivers superior performance, exceptional safety ratings and innovations that distinguish us from the competition. Visit Spartan Chassis at www.spartanchassis.com .
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures specialty chassis, specialty vehicles, truck bodies and aftermarket parts for the recreational vehicle (RV), emergency response, government services, defense, and delivery and service markets. The Company's brand names – Spartan™, Spartan Chassis™, Spartan ER™, Spartan ERV™ and Utilimaster® - are known for quality, performance, service and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 1,700 associates at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Indiana and Florida. Spartan reported sales of $470 million in 2013 and is focused on becoming a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacture of specialty vehicles and chassis. Visit Spartan Motors at www.spartanmotors.com .
Russell T. Chick Corporate Director of Marketing Spartan Motors, Inc. 517.997.3852 Greg Salchow Group Treasurer Spartan Motors, Inc. 517.543.6400
