CHARLOTTE, Mich., Dec. 21, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), has received a multi-million dollar subcontract award from defense contractor BAE Systems to support the production of advanced tactical vehicles and spare parts under the International Light Armored Vehicle (ILAV) Program.
“We appreciate our ongoing relationship with BAE Systems,” said Tom Gorman, Chief Operating Officer of Spartan Motors, Inc. “This opportunity—which is smaller in volume with greater product variation—is in direct alignment with our strategic and operational strengths of leveraging our expertise, speed and agility to produce reliable vehicle solutions.”
Under the terms of the ILAV program, the Michigan-based custom chassis manufacturer will produce 10 ILAVs in two different configurations and supply ILAV spare parts. These mine protected vehicles, provided to the United States Government as part of a Foreign Military Sales contract with BAE Systems, are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2012 and delivered to Iraq in the second quarter of 2012.
Spartan has a proven history of building ILAVs for BAE Systems since 2006 and has delivered over 700 of these vehicles to Iraq, Yemen and United States military customers. The ILAV features a 4×4 v-shaped hull and has five variants which include: International Light Armored Vehicle (base vehicle), Interrogator Arm, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Joint Surrogate Vehicle and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Training.
In addition to this new award, Spartan also continues its ongoing support of MRAP prime contractors and the U.S. Government by providing spare/replacement parts for many of the vehicles built at Spartan during the MRAP program.
About Spartan Chassis
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- SpartanTM, Crimson FireTM, Crimson Fire AerialsTM, and Utilimaster®- are known for quality, value, service and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 1,800 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania South Dakota, Indiana, Florida and Texas. Spartan reported sales of $481 million in 2010 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.
CONTACT: Russell T. Chick
Corporate Director of Marketing
Spartan Motors, Inc.
517.997.3852
Spartan Motors, Inc.