INDIANAPOLIS, April 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan ERV (Emergency Response Vehicles), a business unit of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), stated that it has received an additional 14 unit order from Cuerpo General de Bomberos Voluntarios del Peru (the General Body of the Peruvian Volunteer Fire Department) in Lima, Peru, as an addenda to a 56 unit order secured in October, 2013. The 70 units is the largest fire apparatus order in Spartan Motors' corporate history, and further validates the viability of the company's Strategic Plan. Production for the 70 units has commenced, with a planned completion date of later this calendar year.
"Spartan ERV is recognized for building some of the safest, most durable fire apparatus in the market as evidenced by Peru's order," said Bill Doebler, Vice President of Sales, Spartan ERV. "This multi-unit contract represents a significant step of a defined strategy to expand Spartan ERV's global presence as it is a significant indication of Spartan's growing global footprint. We value their confidence in our apparatus to protect the people in this region of Latin America."
The entire 70 unit order will consist of Spartan ERV pumpers built on Spartan Metro Star cab/chassis equipped with Euro III emission standard engines and feature the Spartan Chassis Advanced Protection System (APS). Each unit will also be equipped with Darley 1,250 gallons-per-minute pumps.
The Peruvian Volunteer Fire Department consists of 204 volunteer stations that serve the entire country of Peru. The first fire station in Peru was founded in 1860, and the Department continues to grow.
Spartan ERV began pursuing the Peruvian business approximately two years ago when it first established distribution and aftermarket support in Peru. During that time, Spartan invested significant resources to learn about the unique needs of the firefighters and fire departments in Peru.
"Spartan ERV continues to expand the depth and scope of its product portfolio. Our superior product performance and value equation have assisted in driving our international business," said Diego Salazar, Spartan ERV Director of Latin America Sales. "Our dealers provide an additional degree of differentiation. We are proud to be the solution provider to a department which has a tradition of well over 150 years of service, and look forward to providing them with products built to the highest quality standards in the industry."
This contract award validates the global business development strategy announced by Spartan ERV at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in April 2012. After forming a joint venture with Gimaex late in 2012 to accelerate global growth and speed-to-market, Diego Salazar joined the organization earlier this year to continue Latin American growth. In addition to Peru, Spartan ERV has since expanded into Brazil, Chile and Venezuela.
About Spartan ERV
Spartan ERV™ is a leading manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles. A business unit 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 (RV), emergency response, government services, defense, and delivery and service markets. The Company's brand names – Spartan™, Spartan Chassis™, Spartan ER™, Spartan ERV™ and Utilimaster® - are known for quality, performance, service and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 1,800 associates at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Indiana, and Florida. Spartan reported sales of $471 million in 2012 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.
This release contains several forward-looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning our business, strategic position, financial strength, future plans, objectives, and the performance of our products. These statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "potential," "future," "may," "will," "should," and similar expressions regarding future expectations. These forward-looking statements involve various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, and likelihood. Therefore, actual performance and results may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include operational and other complications that may arise affecting the implementation of our plans and business objectives; continued pressures caused by economic conditions and the pace and extent of the economic recovery; challenges that may arise in connection with the integration of new businesses or assets we acquire or the disposition of assets; issues unique to government contracting, such as competitive bidding processes, qualification requirements, and delays or changes in funding; disruptions within our dealer network; changes in our relationships with major customers, suppliers, or other business partners, including Isuzu; changes in the demand or supply of products within our markets or raw materials needed to manufacture those products; and changes in laws and regulations affecting our business. Other factors that could affect outcomes are set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at www.sec.gov or our website. All forward-looking statements in this release are qualified by this paragraph. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.