CHARLOTTE, Mich., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Senior officials from the U.S.
military’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Joint Program Office are
hosting a special ceremony today to recognize Spartan Chassis employees for
their critical role in the rapid production and deployment of the military’s
highest priority, MRAP vehicles.
Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), will
host the military officials and other dignitaries at the company’s
headquarters in Charlotte, Mich., flanked by massive MRAP vehicles. Military
officials will present a plaque to more than 500 Spartan workers for their
vital role in engineering, manufacturing and servicing these lifesaving MRAP
vehicles.
What: Spartan Chassis MRAP Workforce Recognition Ceremony
When: Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Plant 6, Spartan Chassis in Charlotte, Mich.
Media Attendance: Contact Ryan McGrath at 616-233-0500
“We are extremely proud of our employees and their dedication and
determination in building these life-saving machines and serving our men and
women on the front lines,” said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan
Motors. “Our team was able to move from concept to production in less than 6
months — an impressive feat by any measure — and rapidly helped solve the
single biggest threat facing our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“In addition to being among the first manufacturers of these vehicles,
Spartan has also helped produce more mine-resistant vehicles — including
MRAPs, Iraqi Light Armored Vehicles (ILAVs) and other variants — than any
other U.S. manufacturer. We believe mine-resistant vehicles and similar
variants will continue to play a critical role in the ever-changing Global War
on Terror.”
Since 2005, Spartan has served as a military subcontractor of choice,
providing specialty chassis, interiors and comprehensive automotive
integration and assembly for the nation’s primary MRAP manufacturers,
including BAE Systems, Force Protection and General Dynamics Land Systems.
Spartan now supplies more than 20 different threat-specific, mine-protected
vehicle variants, including specialized configurations of MRAPs, such as those
customized for ambulance duties, ordnance removal or for transporting Special
Operations troops.
MRAPs are a family of heavily armored 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.
Spartan has invested approximately $16 million in facilities and equipment
for its military production work since 2005. Spartan has shared its
military-related work with 100 Michigan-based companies, helping to employ
6,400 Michigan workers and spending $148.4 million with these companies in
2007 alone.
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