CHARLOTTE, Mich., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ — Senior U.S. military officials
and executives from major defense contractor BAE Systems are recognizing
Spartan Chassis employees today for their critical role in the rapid
production and deployment of BAE Systems’ RG33 MRAP vehicles, a key military
program credited with saving hundreds of lives from the dangers of roadside
bombs.
Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), is
hosting a special ceremony to mark the employees’ contributions at the
company’s headquarters in Charlotte, Mich. Officials from the U.S. Mine
Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Joint Program Office will present a plaque
to more than 300 Spartan workers for their vital role in engineering,
manufacturing and servicing the MRAP vehicles.
“Spartan Chassis has helped produce more mine-resistant vehicles than any
other U.S. manufacturing facility, and we are proud of the vital role our team
has played in getting these lifesaving vehicles to our soldiers and Marines
within an extraordinarily short timeframe,” said John Sztykiel, president and
CEO of Spartan Motors. “A significant factor in our success has been the hard
work, dedication and specialized skills of our workforce.”
What: BAE Systems RG33 Workforce Recognition Ceremony
When: Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Plant 6, Spartan Chassis in Charlotte, Mich.
1065 Mikesell Street, Charlotte, Mich.
Media Attendance: Contact Ryan McGrath at 616-233-0500
“The RG33 represents an unprecedented story of success that reflects
industry’s unsurpassed rapid response to the Department of Defense’s immediate
requirement to defeat an ever evolving threat,” said Matt Riddle, Vice
President of Wheeled Combat Vehicles at BAE Systems. “From design to fielding
in less than six months, the RG33 has proven itself worthy in combat and has
well earned the respect and accolades of its U.S. military crewman.”
MRAPs are a family of military vehicles designed to survive IED
(improvised explosive device) attacks, the cause of 60 percent of all U.S.
casualties in Iraq. MRAP vehicles feature innovative, V-shaped hulls that
deflect explosive forces originating below the vehicle — a notorious point of
weakness for non-MRAP military vehicles, such as Humvees. According to
government sources, MRAPs have the highest survivability of all vehicles
deployed in combat, including tanks.
Since 2005, Spartan Chassis has served as a military subcontractor of
choice, providing specialty chassis, vehicle interiors, comprehensive
automotive integration, assembly, parts and service for the nation’s primary
MRAP manufacturers, including BAE Systems, Force Protection and General
Dynamics Land Systems. Spartan currently supplies more than 20 different
threat-specific, mine-protected vehicle variants, including specialized
configurations of MRAP, such as those customized for ambulance duties,
ordnance removal or transporting Special Operations troops.
Spartan has invested approximately $16 million in facilities and equipment
for its military production work since 2005. Spartan has also shared its
military-related work with 100 Michigan-based companies, spending $148.4
million with those companies in 2007 alone and helping to employ 6,400
Michigan workers.
About Spartan Chassis, Inc.
Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc.
(NASDAQ: SPAR), is a leading developer and manufacturer of custom chassis for
recreational vehicles, fire trucks, defense and specialty vehicles. Spartan
Motors (theshyftgroup.com) which also manufactures emergency rescue
vehicles under the brand names of Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road
Rescue, reported sales of $681.9 million in 2007 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 Chassis, Inc.
11/19/2008
/CONTACT: Ryan McGrath for Spartan Chassis, Inc., +1-616-233-0500
/Web site: https://theshyftgroup.com
(SPAR)