CHARLOTTE, Mich., Feb. 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR) today announced that Diana Devlin, Vice President, Information Services and Technology (IST), Spartan Motors was selected by The Manufacturing Institute, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, University of Phoenix, and Deloitte for a Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Award. The ceremony begins at 12:00 noon today at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, D.C.
“The distinction which Diana has received from The Manufacturing Institute and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers is not a surprise as she is a standout talent. Her contributions at Spartan Motors are only exceeded by the leadership she consistently demonstrates while transforming IT into a competitive differentiator at our company,” said Joseph Nowicki, Chief Financial Officer, Spartan Motors. “The improvements she has effected at Spartan Motors have enabled productivity and other gains in all departments at the company.”
The STEP Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative launched to examine and promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and best practices for attracting, advancing, and retaining strong female talent.
This program is part of a broader STEP initiative which is a call for action to:
- Honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their manufacturing careers;
- Celebrate exciting careers in manufacturing to help change negative perceptions of the industry;
- Help close the skills gap by developing a more diverse workforce and attracting, retaining and advancing female talent in the manufacturing industry;
- Continue to ensure new opportunities for women in the manufacturing industry;
- Empower today’s current manufacturing leaders to help inspire the next-generation of leadership and talent.
“This is wonderful news and of course I am honored to accept the Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Production (STEP) Award! Over the years, I have had the pleasure in working with other impactful women, so I am aware of the talent pool and I am proud to be considered in that group,” said Diana Devlin, Vice President, IST, Spartan Motors. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity provided to me by the leadership team at Spartan Motors as they have given me both the platform and team to grow.”
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures specialty chassis, specialty vehicles, truck bodies and aftermarket parts for the recreational vehicle, emergency response, government services, defense, and delivery and service markets. The company’s brand names – Spartan™, Spartan ERV™ and Utilimaster® – 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, Indiana, Florida and Texas. Spartan reported sales of $426 million in 2011 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.