News

CHARLOTTE, Mich., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Spartan Motors, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SPAR) today announced the election of Ron Harbour, noted
manufacturing analyst and a partner at international consulting firm Oliver
Wyman, to the Company’s board of directors. Harbour will serve as an
independent director.

The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of custom chassis and
emergency-rescue vehicles said the addition of Harbour increases the size of
the Spartan Motors board from eight to nine directors.

“Ron is a recognized authority on manufacturing processes and has worked
with top manufacturing companies around the world in driving systematic
changes in their production,” said David R. Wilson, Chairman of the Board of
Spartan Motors. “For years he has published the prestigious ‘Harbour Report,’
which is often referred to as the ‘Bible’ of manufacturing productivity. He
personally visits more than 50 automotive plants every year in North and South
America, and Europe and Asia to document best practices. As we move to become
a more globally focused company, Ron’s wisdom and experience will serve us
well.”

Harbour was the former owner and president of Harbour Consulting, acquired
by Oliver Wyman in 2007. Harbour is an expert in the assessment, development
and implementation of quality, cost and productivity improvements at factories
worldwide. He also has experience in new vehicle development, metal
fabrication and manufacturing strategy and design.

About Spartan Motors

Spartan Motors, Inc. (theshyftgroup.com) designs, engineers and
manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire
truck, ambulance, emergency-rescue and specialty vehicle markets. The
company’s brand names — Spartan(TM), Crimson Fire(TM), Crimson Fire
Aerials(TM), and Road Rescue(TM) — are known for quality, value, service and
being the first to market with innovative products. The company employs
approximately 1,200 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina
and South Dakota. Spartan reported sales of $844.4 million in 2008 and is
focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis
in North America.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without
limitation, statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives
and the performance of our products. These forward-looking statements involve
certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate.
Actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Technical complications may arise that could
prevent the prompt implementation of the plans outlined above. The company
cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other
factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K filing and other filings with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov). Government
contracts and subcontracts typically involve long payment and purchase cycles,
competitive bidding, qualification requirements, delays or changes in funding,
extensive specification development and changes, price negotiations and
milestone requirements. An announced award of a governmental contract is not
equivalent to a finalized executed contract and does not assure that orders
will be issued and filled. Government agencies also often retain some portion
of fees payable upon completion of a project and collection of contract fees
may be delayed for long periods, which can negatively impact both prime
contractors and subcontractors. The company undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.


04/24/2009

CONTACT: John Sztykiel, CEO, or Jim Knapp, CFO, both of Spartan Motors

Inc., +1-517-543-6400; or Jeff Lambert or Ryan McGrath, both of Lambert

Edwards & Associates, Inc., +1-616-233-0500 [email protected]

Web Site: https://theshyftgroup.com

(SPAR)