CHARLOTTE, Mich., Nov. 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan Chassis ("Spartan"), a business unit of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), announced today that its Defense and Government operating group has been awarded a subcontract from defense contractor BAE Systems to support the production of 22 International Light Armored Vehicles (ILAVs). The subcontract is the second delivery order against a three year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract and validates the diversified growth and operational strengths of the Spartan Defense and Government (SDG) business unit.
These vehicles perform specialized, mission-critical tasks such as supporting convoy operations, investigating possible improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and additional rapid response needs. Under the terms of the subcontract, Spartan will provide automotive integration, final assembly, coordination of Government inspection and delivery to the Government. Production for the units will begin in February 2015 on Spartan's Charlotte campus with an expected completion of June 2015.
"This subcontract is another confirmation that Spartan Chassis maintains the operational excellence and competencies required to execute to the exacting standards of BAE," said Art Ickes, Division President, Specialty Vehicles. "Spartan is pleased to provide major customers like BAE Systems with the highest quality vehicles for these mission critical and often life-saving deployments. We appreciate our ongoing partnership with BAE Systems."
Spartan has been awarded multiple subcontract orders for advanced tactical vehicles under the International Light Armored Vehicle (ILAV), Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and Medium Mine Protected Vehicle (MMPV) programs.
In addition to this award for Foreign Military Sales intended for African nations, Spartan continues its ongoing support of prime contractors and the U.S. Government by providing spare and replacement parts for many of the mine-protected vehicle models produced at Spartan such as:
- Cougar and RG33 MRAP and MRAP-Plus vehicles
- RG 33 Armored Utility Vehicles
- International Light Armored Vehicles (ILAV)
- Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicles (JERRV)
- Medium Mine Protected Vehicles
- RG 33 Heavy Armored Ground Ambulances (HAGA)
- RG 33 Special Operations Command vehicles (SOCOM)
For the past four years, the Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies (APA) operating group has been honored by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) as one of the government's top suppliers, earning the DLA's Gold Award each year. Most recently, APA completed over 1,700 shipments to the government and recorded a perfect score of 100, as determined by the DLA.
The recognition reaffirms Spartan has supplied a quality product the government can trust and be confident in using year after year. Suppliers like Spartan that qualify as Automated Best Value System (ABVS) award winners have met the stringent quality and delivery requirements of the DLA. The ABVS, a computerized system, collects vendor's past performance data and translates it into a numeric score, ranging from zero to 100.
Spartan's ILAV subcontract is an example of the company's winning D.R.I.V.E. strategy. This award embodies Spartan's Integrated Operational Excellence and Diversified Growth strategies. Spartan continues to offer products which position itself for sustained growth.
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 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.