DALLAS, Aug. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan ERV (Emergency Response Vehicles) ("Spartan" or the "Company"), a business unit of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), is celebrating increased demand for its aerial apparatus during the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire-Rescue International show in Dallas, Texas. Since January 2013, the Company has shipped or is in the process of building over 50 aerial units for various departments worldwide. Cities that have contracted with Spartan include Dallas, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Kirkland, Wa. The orders include a mix of Spartan ERV's mid mount and rear mount platforms, rear mount aerials and tractor drawn aerials.
Spartan ERV will feature a recent delivery – a 103' rear mount ladder made for Red Oak, Texas – at the show in booth #4119 August 15-16.
"Spartan ERV is recognized in the industry for building some of the safest, most durable aerials on the market as evidenced by the intensified demand,"said Bill Doebler, Vice President of Sales, Spartan ERV. "Our superior product performance and value equation have played a key role in driving our aerial business. We are proud to be a desired solution provider, and look forward to providing products built to the highest quality standards in the industry."
An industry-leading Spartan ERV aerial unit provides more value to a department through features such as the greaseless ladder sections (requires less service downtime and smoother ladder deployment/retraction). Value, which is not only measured by the lowest purchase cost, also delivers performance, versatility and reliability to those using the equipment in the field and in the shop.
Fire departments specify several proprietary features including patented lift cradles, roller assisted slide pads (RASP) and laser leveling guides for setting up outriggers. The lift cradle positions the ladder close to the ground, making it possible to safely add or exchange equipment at the tip of the ladder. It also enables the ladder to lower to negative 10 degrees. RASP assembly reduces friction and stress on the ladder in the field, while eliminating the need to grease ladder rails in the shop. Laser guides provide visual representation for an apparatus to be clear for set-up, marking the location where outrigger pads should be placed before extending them.
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 1,700 associates at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Indiana and Florida. Spartan reported sales of $470 million in 2013 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.