CHARLOTTE, Mich., March 26, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spartan Chassis Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), announced today that the company has been recertified to ISO 9001:2008 standards for the design and assembly of Military Defense Products, Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies (APA) and Fabrication with zero findings. ISO 9001:2008, one of the most recognized and respected standards of quality in the world, is the fourth and latest edition of the ISO standard first published in 1987, which has become an international benchmark for providing high quality products and maintaining excellent customer satisfaction.
ISO 9001:2008 registration is important for Spartan to remain competitive in a crowded market where customers can tap suppliers from around the globe. ISO registration demonstrates that a company is operating at peak performance and sets it apart from competitors offering similar services.
In the defense industry in particular, ISO registration is often a required quality standard for contracts, so this registration enhances Spartan’s already highly competitive position in defense related opportunities.
The APA team is a premier supplier of heavy-duty products with expertise in parts for the recreational, emergency rescue and specialty markets, such as the defense industry. APA prides itself on delighting its customer with its “can do” attitude, building relationships through open communication and developing and empowering the team.
“We are delighted to maintain ISO registration, which recognizes our commitment to quality and continuous improvement for our customers,” said Tom Gorman, COO of Spartan Motors. “Everyone at Spartan Motors takes great pride in our reputation for speed and agility with high quality. The achievement of this registration serves as validation of the dedicated team of Spartan’s associates and serves as a powerful demonstration of our commitment to excellence. Spartan Motors drives each of its business units to obtain ISO certification.”
Spartan Motors has a blended growth strategy to give the company a more balanced revenue stream that is much less dependent on any single customer than it was just three years ago. Now our task is to sustain revenue growth momentum while improving profitability. To that end, we developed the D.R.I.V.E. strategy that recognizes a successful organization is one with integrated operations and a healthy culture that encourages innovation and growth. The major facets of the D.R.I.V.E. strategy are:
- Diversified Growth
- We will develop and sustain a product portfolio that will diversify our revenue stream to weather industry cycles.
- Redefining Technology and Innovation, Develop Exciting Products
- Spartan is a high-end, high-performance brand in each of its markets. Customers willingly pay more for our products because they place a high value on the solutions and experience we provide.
- Integration of the Enterprise to Achieve Operational Improvement
- We will match product innovation with more efficient manufacturing and sales activities. Spartan must generate an attractive profit that will support reinvestment in the company and earn a higher return for shareholders.
- Vibrant Culture
- To maintain our product leadership and creativity, we will maintain a corporate culture that fosters and rewards those qualities.
- Extend Our Core Markets
- Spartan and Utilimaster are two outstanding brands that serve our three core markets. We expect to be the first name customers think of for services, parts or a new vehicle by providing a superior solution to their needs or the experience they deserve.
D.R.I.V.E. encourages a heightened focus, teamwork and a common approach across the organization. It is intended to align our efforts and emphasize the importance of collaboration and integration across business units. Adhering to this strategy, Spartan will be able to develop new products, advance into new markets and operate more effectively and efficiently than before.
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 which 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 1,800 associates at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Indiana, Florida and Texas. Spartan reported sales of $471 million in 2012 and is focused on becoming a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacture of specialty vehicles and chassis. Visit Spartan Motors at theshyftgroup.com.
This release contains several forward-looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning our business, strategic position, financial strength, future plans, objectives, and the performance of our products. These statements can be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “potential,” “future,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions regarding future expectations. These forward-looking statements involve various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, and likelihood. Therefore, actual performance and results may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include operational and other complications that may arise affecting the implementation of our plans and business objectives; continued pressures caused by economic conditions and the pace and extent of the economic recovery; challenges that may arise in connection with the integration of new businesses or assets we acquire or the disposition of assets; issues unique to government contracting, such as competitive bidding processes, qualification requirements, and delays or changes in funding; disruptions within our dealer network; changes in our relationships with major customers, suppliers, or other business partners, including Isuzu; changes in the demand or supply of products within our markets or raw materials needed to manufacture those products; and changes in laws and regulations affecting our business. Other factors that could affect outcomes are set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at www.sec.gov or our website. All forward-looking statements in this release are qualified by this paragraph. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
CONTACT: Russell T. Chick
Corporate Director of Marketing
Spartan Motors, Inc.
517.997.3852
Spartan Motors, Inc.