DALLAS, Aug. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan Chassis ("Spartan" or the "Company"), a business unit of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), brought a new sense of cool to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire-Rescue International show in Dallas, Texas. The Company introduced a collection of new cab features and performance enhancements, including The Spartan Advanced Climate Control heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The IAFC show takes place on Friday and Saturday August 15-16 at The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. This new benchmark in cab safety and comfort will be profiled for Emergency Response OEMs and their dealers at a sneak peak event prior to final test and validation.
"Safety is what our customers continually rank most important before placing an order," said Michael Bowman, Vice President of Sales, Emergency Response Chassis. "Spartan continually seeks feedback from end-users to better equip our units for the field. In terms of The Spartan Advanced Climate Control System, we recently began seeking input for how we could take our cab to the next level. With a typical fire run lasting roughly 10 minutes, we were asked to develop the new system to get colder or warmer, faster. The Spartan Advanced Climate Control System does that and reinforces Spartan's leadership in the Emergency Response cab/chassis market."
Spartan's Advanced Climate Control System boasts a dynamic air velocity that on average is 317 percent higher than the current system. The air flow has been greatly improved for both the front and rear occupants of the cab. Aside from its dramatically improved fit, finish and general appearance, the system has shown significant improvement in AC pull down at the 30-minute and 60-minute marks.
The Spartan Advanced Climate Control System also warms the cold firefighter's feet like never before without the aid of any auxiliary heat. With the cabin air temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the foot area within the cab will experience an average air temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit within a short period of time.
Maintenance and service on The Spartan Advanced Climate Control System has been simplified with all tasks specified as one-person operations using only standard tools.
The Spartan Advanced Climate Control System is only one aspect of the cab that Spartan has recently improved.
Provided below is a summary of the new features and performance improvements of the Spartan cab which allow the firefighter to arrive and depart safely from the scene in comfort.
Comfort
- Improved weight distribution
- Improved styling
- Rigid backed SCBA parade panel available
- An increase in comfort when utilizing The Spartan Advanced Climate Control system
- Improved seat cushion bolster and lumbar support
- Ergonomic enhancements
Safety
- Industry-leading, all-encompassing restraint system
- Improved shoulder harness accessibility
- E-Z Release SCBA system
- Approximately 2.5dB*, or 45 percent, reduction in sound energy levels within the cab when traveling at a speed of 45 mph with the windows up
- New enhancements create a safer environment inside the cab for occupants en route to and from a scene
- Greater ability to communicate inside the cab without the need of an intercom
* dB reduction will vary based on the final cab/chassis configuration
Space Utilization**
- Overall cab volume increase of 5,827 cubic inches
- 10% increase in hip room on driver's side of tunnel
- 11% increase in hip room on officer's side door to side of engine tunnel
- 6.6% reduction in engine tunnel height
- 3.8% increase in leg room for the two forward-facing crew members located in the cab's center
- 22" wide base seat cushion and back cushion
** Available on select makes and models
About Spartan Chassis, Inc.
Spartan Chassis, Inc. is a world-class leader in the engineering, manufacturing and marketing of chassis and aftermarket parts for emergency-response, recreational vehicle (RV), defense and specialty vehicles. End users recognize and request the Spartan Chassis brand, which consistently delivers superior performance, exceptional safety ratings and innovations which distinguish us from the competition. Visit Spartan Chassis at www.spartanchassis.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 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.