CHARLOTTE, Mich., June 13, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR) ("Spartan" or the "Company") today announced the promotion of Arthur Ickes to President of the Specialty Chassis and Vehicles ("SCV") Business Unit, which includes responsibility for the RV Chassis portfolio, Specialty Vehicles, Defense and Government as well as Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies. While this appointment is effective June 3rd, Mr. Ickes will expand his new responsibilities during the 3rd quarter, while gradually transitioning out of his current role, which includes important near-term projects, such as completing the relocation of the Utilimaster operations to Bristol, Ind. from Wakarusa, Ind. Mr. Ickes will report to John Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors. Eric West, General Manager of the RV business at Spartan Chassis, will report to Mr. Ickes.
The appointment of Mr. Ickes to lead SCV demonstrates clear commitment on the part of Spartan Motors to the RV industry and business. Mr. Ickes's experience, capabilities and skill set represent a marked improvement to the depth of SCV leadership talent. Not only does Mr. Ickes have significant commercial and business development leadership experience, he also is an operations subject matter expert.
"We remain very encouraged by the overall market opportunity in the RV industry and the recent growth we have realized over the last two years," John Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors, said. "Arthur's leadership skills will provide an excellent opportunity for us to expand the scope of our business with the existing OEM partners in the RV industry."
Mr. Ickes joined Spartan Motors as Executive Director of Operations in 2005 and more recently as Senior Vice President of Operations since 2007. With the Company, Mr. Ickes fulfilled a leadership role which modernized the Company's manufacturing practices and has implemented lean processes. During his tenure as the head of all operations at Spartan Motors, the Company has achieved continuous improvement of key manufacturing metrics and in many cases has developed world-class performance within the Specialty Vehicle industry.
Mr. Ickes also has a successful track record of improving profitability, productivity, quality and customer satisfaction in positions throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Mr. Ickes has earned a master of science in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Kettering University.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ickes was the Director of Launch Management for Plastech Engineered Products, Inc., a manufacturer of precision injection molded components for the automotive industry. Earlier in his career, Mr. Ickes worked for Delphi Corporation and was promoted to a number of manufacturing managerial positions during his 15-year tenure. As a Manufacturing Manager at Delphi, he was instrumental in turning a substantial loss into a healthy profit in two and a half years by installing lean manufacturing techniques.
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 and defense, 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 $470.6 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.