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CHARLOTTE, Mich., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Utilimaster, a leading go-to-market brand of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) within its Fleet Vehicles and Services business unit, will display two Walk-in Van concepts and a Ford Transit Cargo Van concept, specific to the utility and specialty services industries, at the 2017 International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) show held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, October 3-5. 

Showcased in booth L231 will be three vehicles including Utilimaster’s custom San Diego Gas & Electric Walk-in Van, the Duke Energy Walk-in Van, and the Utilimaster branded Ford Transit Cargo Van demo. The three units are utilizing Odyne plug-in hybrid generator replacement systems, which reduce emissions, increase fuel economy, and reduces the overall cost of ownership. The three designs were developed using Utilimaster’s proprietary fleet analysis process, which emphasizes on-site fleet review and ride-along insights from engineers that inform solution-based designs—with zero fleet downtime.

“Utilimaster’s difference is largely in our approach of how we engage our prospective customer, throughout the sales engagement, engineering consult, and consistently through the value chain of manufacturing excellence,” said Tom Ninneman, President, Fleet Vehicles and Services. “Our designs are engineered from the insights we gain from being on the road with the customer, experiencing the challenges from the driver’s perspective and the unique aspects of their daily route. It’s this approach that informs our engineered solutions that provide greater safety, enhanced productivity, and ultimately, positive business outcomes for our fleet customers. The San Diego Gas & Electric, Duke Energy, and Ford Transit Cargo vans are great examples of the Utilimaster Work Driven Design process at work.”

Innovative solutions created for each vehicle include:

• TheSan Diego Gas & Electric Walk-in Van is an accessible mobile workshop featuring an Odyne Hybrid power system with launch assist technology. The mobile workshop has a custom EZ STAK interior package, allows for failure-testing sophisticated electrical components, and provides visibility within the truck while performing fault finding activities.
• The Duke Energy Splicer Walk-in Van is designed specifically for splicing work with a custom EZ STAK interior package designed to meet the needs of Duke Energy’s crews. The van can sit a three-man work crew and features an Odyne Hybrid power system with launch assist technology.
• The Ford Transit 148″ Wheel Base High Roof Van allows for a mobile workstation in a “smaller package”, designed for the multiple stops and small spaces along an urban route and allows for increased fuel economy and driver comfort. Equipped with a custom interior package by EZ STAK, the van features a 6KW Lithium Ion Inverter system designed to provide maximum worksite power in a small space to fit in the Transit platform. The inverter system is available with an auxiliary alternator that charges the inverter batteries while the truck is idling or in transit. Ergonomically minded ladder access is also available with a Ranger Max Rack roof top ladder rack.

The ICUEE show is the premiere event for utility professionals and construction contractors to gain comprehensive insight into the latest technologies, innovations, and trends affecting their industry. The conference will host over 950 leading manufacturers and will include specialized exhibit pavilions to operate and experience the latest technologies for fleet management, safety, and green utility.

For more information on Spartan’s Utilimaster brand, visit: theshyftgroup.com/fleet-vehicles.

About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. is a leading designer, engineer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty vehicles, specialty chassis, vehicle bodies and parts for the fleet and delivery, recreational vehicle (RV), emergency response, defense forces and contract assembly (light / medium duty truck) markets. The Company’s brand names — Spartan Motors, Spartan Specialty Vehicles, Spartan Emergency Response, Spartan Parts and Accessories; Smeal® and its family of brands, including Ladder Tower™ and UST®; and Utilimaster®, a Spartan Motors Company — are known for quality, durability, performance, customer service and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 2,200 associates and operates facilities in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, South Dakota; Saltillo, Mexico; and Lima, Peru. Spartan reported sales of $591 million in 2016. Visit Spartan Motors at theshyftgroup.com.

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SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.

Amanda Niswonger, Senior Associate, Lambert, Edwards & Associates, 313.309.9531, [email protected]; Samara Hamilton, Corporate Director of Marketing, Spartan Motors, Inc., 517.997.3860, [email protected]