Executive will lead both Spartan ERV and Spartan Chassis as they move into international markets
CHARLOTTE, Mich., April 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dennis Schneider, a longtime manufacturing, operations and logistics executive with experience in the U.S. and abroad, has been named president of Spartan Motors’ Emergency Response business. Schneider, who joined Spartan Motors (Nasdaq:SPAR) in January as vice president, Crimson Fire, will oversee the business that designs, engineers and manufactures emergency response vehicles and cab/chassis in both the North American and global emergency response markets.
“Since joining Spartan at the start of the year, Dennis has had an immediate impact on the company, focusing on our corporate goals of speed, innovation and globalization while maintaining our customer-centric philosophy,” said Tom Gorman, Spartan Motors chief operating officer. “His vast experience and leadership in the U.S. and overseas will be especially valuable as we introduce a record number of new products to the marketplace this year and expand our business around the world.”
“Dennis has been selected to fill an important post; Emergency Response is our second-largest market, accounting for over one-third of company sales,” said Gorman. “As markets around the world continue to develop their emergency response infrastructure, demand is projected to increase, providing a huge opportunity for Spartan Motors.”
Schneider joined Spartan following a lengthy career in operations and manufacturing for domestic and international companies from a variety of industries, including industrial heavy equipment, aerospace, consumer hardware and consumer house wares.
He served as chief operating officer at Doosan Infracore International (formerly Ingersoll Rand Bobcat, Portable Power and Attachments), where he was responsible for global operations, including manufacturing, lean six sigma, supply chain, demand planning, quality, sourcing, logistics, advance planning, current product engineering and customer service. He also participated in global mergers and acquisitions, including integration activities for Doosan, and opened new plants in China and the Czech Republic.
Prior to Ingersoll Rand, Schneider held executive positions in operations and supply chain management at a number of companies, including World Kitchen, Stanley Tool Works, Allied Signal/Honeywell and Case Corporation.
With Case, Schneider directed global transportation for manufacturing and sales in 102 countries. He also oversaw logistics, business development and manufacturing operations for the company’s operation in Europe and many former Soviet Republics, establishing manufacturing operations for Case.
In his new role directing Spartan’s Emergency Response business, Schneider’s primary office will be located at Spartan Motors’ headquarters in Charlotte, Mich.
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.
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