CHARLOTTE, Mich., April 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan ERV (Emergency Response Vehicles), a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), today introduced the Classic Series 21 ST apparatus at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Ind. Currently available on two commercial chassis, these products have been designed, engineered and configured to optimize performance and enable fire departments to respond to all calls at lower acquisition and operating costs, according to Dennis Schneider, Spartan Emergency Response president.
"Innovation and speed are at the heart of Spartan ERV's new global strategy, which is driven by the realities of today's market," said Schneider. "As calls continue to increase and funding challenges remain, the Classic Series 21 ST improves product performance yet reduces the acquisition and operating cost of the apparatus."
Schneider added that Spartan's new product development process yields a collection of performance and cost improvements, including:
- Bill of material line item reduction of 10 percent
- Overall weight reduction of 400-500 lbs.
- Increased compartment space, due to Spartan's use of a Design for Manufacturing (DFM) approach
- New extrusions add an additional two inches of storage space
- Lowered wheel compartments allow for air bottle storage in L2 and R2 and eliminate small wheel well doors/compartments
- Water tank redesigned to serve multiple purposes, including overflow
- Body design that allows the tank, complete with a hose bed divider, to be installed last
- Reduced electrical system hours (50 percent less)
- Proprietary electrical system that includes upgraded rear lighting (LEDs), a super node and multiplex body switch
- New extrusions that minimize the paint and graphic application/development process
- Pump module that includes stainless steel panels and color coded graphics to simplify operation
The Classic Series ST 21 will be on display at FDIC in both the Spartan ERV and Ford Truck booths. Ford is featuring the F550 version of the series, which boasts 400 HP, four doors, a 300 gallon water tank and the ability to pump at 1,250 GPM; Spartan ERV is showcasing a 330 HP, 2-door Kenworth T-370.
For more information on Spartan products and services, visit www.spartanERV.com.
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 www.spartanmotors.com.