CHARLOTTE, Mich., Sept. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR) today announced that Richard (Rich) Holzman has joined Spartan ERV (Emergency Response Vehicles) as the National Accounts Manager. Holzman will be responsible for enhancing business relationships with existing fleets and expanding the Company's portfolio of large fleets in Canada and the United States. His start date is October 1, 2012.
Mr. Holzman comes to Spartan ERV from the Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Montgomery County, MD where he held numerous management positions including Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief and Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief. Montgomery County is the largest combination fire department in the United States. In his most recent position, Holzman was responsible for the consolidation and centralization of five maintenance facilities, and the daily apparatus and equipment needs of 35 MCFRS support stations, four federal fire stations and the county training academy. Accordingly, Holzman's ability to identify cost of operation/ownership improvements for Spartan customers is exceptional and is a value-add that fire departments are seeking with increasing frequency.
The addition of Holzman to the Spartan ERV team demonstrates the Company's plan to increase both the total number of customers served (emergency response fleets) and the fleet penetration levels with existing customers. Holzman's also demonstrates the Company's strategy of finding subject matter experts that bring additional dimension and incremental value to customer engagements. Twenty-seven percent of all Spartan associates have work experience in the fire service.
"The national accounts function which Rich will lead is a critical component of our plan to increase customer satisfaction and accelerate our growth. We continue to see the emergency response market as a strong growth opportunity", said Dennis Schneider President, Spartan Emergency Response (ER). "The Montgomery County experience is exceptional in terms of both scope and diversity of operations which enables Rich to immediately bring significant value to any customer engagement."
The appointment of Holzman and the augmentation of the National Accounts function within Spartan ERV is just the latest announcement made by Spartan ER this year that highlights the Company's continued commitment to expand its capabilities and grow the emergency response business. Other recent proof points include:
- Announcement of the Global Leadership Strategy at FDIC 2012 which includes business building relationships with Gimaex and Renault Trucks
- Introduction of market-leading products/systems such as:
Spartan ERV:
- Spartan ERV's Integrated Pump Solution (IPS) – the latest in a series of compact, high-performance pump solutions which offer ease-of-use, enhanced ergonomics and expanded equipment storage on the apparatus
- TelStar – the 138 ft. telescoping and articulating aerial designed and built for the needs of the North American market
- Multiple concept vehicles such as the RXO – a Type Three Wildland unit that can cross-over and expand structural pumper fleets
- Classic Series 21 ST pumper which sets a new standard for value and functionality
Spartan Chassis:
- MetroStar-X which offers budget-sensitive departments a new and more economical path to a custom cab/chassis that can be configured as either a rescue or a pumper
- Spartan Chassis' Advanced Protection System (APS) – the #1 safety system in North America
About Spartan ERV
Spartan ERV™ is a leading manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles. A subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), Spartan ERV™ is committed to quality, performance and innovation. Drawing on more than 130 years of excellence in fire truck manufacturing, Spartan ERV™ manufactures a full line of pumpers, tankers, rescues, aerials, quick-attack/urban interface vehicles and other emergency-rescue vehicles from its facilities in Florida, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. For more information, 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