BRANDON, S.D., Oct. 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan ERV (Emergency Response Vehicles) ("Spartan" or the "Company"), a business unit of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), has been celebrating the firefighter and the many untold stories from the front line through its "Forged by Fire" marketing campaign launched in January of this year. The Company honored those individuals that have influenced their communities by collecting their stories of tradition, generation, sacrifice, bravery and performance. After the second and final round of public voting, Spartan ERV is excited to announce Edward Bradt as the second recipient of a $5,000 cash prize.
"Forged by Fire is an interactive social media campaign which tells the many untold stories of those within the Emergency Response community," said Russell Chick, Corporate Director of Marketing, Spartan Motors. "Providing a platform to share these stories is a role we have been honored to play. This campaign and our digital platforms have enabled new connections and productive conversations within the firefighting community."
The Company and its dealer network have been accepting nominations from individuals who have been Forged by Fire. By connecting with firefighters and industry personnel to encourage them to participate by submitting their stories, Spartan ERV honored those that participated in letting their stories be told.
Although Spartan plays a critical role in providing safety and capability, it knows that the people who matter most and the ones that make the difference each day are the firefighters. Spartan ERV continues to have a robust product story to tell. This has been achieved through a separate concurrent running campaign.
As the campaign developed, the Spartan marketing team was reminded of the remarkable humility found in the fabric of the firefighter. Whether your story was shared through this campaign, Spartan wants each and every firefighter to know how thankful it is for the commitment and dedication they make in protecting each one of us.
Bradt joins Van Johnson as Spartan ERV's two recipients to win $5,000 cash prizes. Johnson was selected during the Company's initial round of voting in April.
Spartan's "Forged by Fire" campaign aligns with the Company's D.R.I.V.E. initiative, as it assists in building excited consumers and brand loyalists. The campaign is an example of relating everything the Company does with those who matter the most, the firefighter.
D.R.I.V.E. is Spartan's operating strategy based on five tenets:
- Diversified Growth
- Redefining Technology and Innovation
- Integrated Operational Excellence
- Vibrant Culture
- Excited Consumers/Brand Loyalists
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.