CHARLOTTE, Mich., Nov. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) (“Spartan” or the “Company”) today announced that John Slawson joined Spartan Motors as President of the Spartan Emergency Response business unit, effective today.
Slawson, 49, most recently served as the President and CEO of Horton Emergency Vehicles, a market-leading manufacturer of ambulances in North America and a member company of Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV). Prior to joining Horton in 2011, Slawson was the President and Equity Partner of U.S. Tanker Fire Apparatus LLC. Slawson was previously the President of Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, a manufacturer of command and law enforcement vehicles, and Director of Dealer Development and Distribution for Pierce Manufacturing, the largest fire apparatus manufacturer in North America. Slawson’s career spans over 25 years, during which he has held executive positions and led teams within many world-class companies. In his role as President, Spartan Emergency Response, Slawson will assume responsibility for the Company’s entire emergency response business unit. He succeeds Spartan Emergency Response President Dan Slater.
“We are pleased to attract a proven industry leader like John to Spartan,” said Daryl Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spartan Motors. “His skill set is well positioned to accelerate the transformation of our emergency response business and return it to consistent profitability. His track record of relevant industry expertise is a clear differentiator as he has considerable experience with strategy development and successful operating execution in the fire apparatus business.”
Adams added, “Throughout his career, John has transformed multiple organizations, improving manufacturing efficiency and throughput, right-sizing cost structures, and establishing a clear focus on first-time quality and cash flow. He has a history of business growth which he fueled through R&D, new product development and collaboration within the channel. John is a strong proponent of brand management and his executive leadership experience and success at both the domestic and international levels are expected to serve Spartan and our ER customers well.”
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, shuttle bus, government services, defense, and fleet vehicle markets. The Company’s brand names – Spartan Motors, Spartan Specialty Vehicles, Spartan Emergency Response, Spartan Parts and Accessories, and Utilimaster®, a Spartan Motors Company – 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 and Indiana. Spartan reported sales of $507million in 2014 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 projections, financial strength, future plans, objectives, and the performance of our products and operations. 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; restructuring of our operations, and/or our expansion into new geographic markets; 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.
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SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.
Financial: Greg Salchow, Group Treasurer & Director of Investor Relations, Spartan Motors, Inc., (517) 543-6400, or Media: Russell Chick, Corporate Director of Marketing, Spartan Motors, Inc., (517) 543-6400
