Spartan Motors Recognizes Supplier Excellence; Key Partners in 2013 Growth

CHARLOTTE, Mich., March 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan Motors, Inc. SPAR ("Spartan" or the "Company") announced its Supplier Performance And Review Committee (SPARC) recently recognized its top-performing suppliers during the 12th Annual Supplier Conference held March 19 in Elkhart, Ind. at the RV/MH Hall of Fame. Spartan honored key partners which were instrumental in its growth in 2013. Spartan posted an order intake of $536.3 million in 2013, a 9.1% increase from the 2012 order intake of $487.5 million. The Company also recorded a consolidated order backlog increase of 49.8% in 2013 compared to 2012.

"Spartan is committed to achieving category-leading customer satisfaction and the highest levels of customer service," said Jeremy Wilson, Corporate Director of Supply Chain Management for Spartan Motors. "Spartan's suppliers play a critical role ensuring our success as they consistently deliver and enhance our product portfolio. We are thankful for these opportunities to collaborate and above all, value each member of our supplier network and the work they do each day."

Each supplier honored consistently embodies the values of Spartan and maintains an unwavering commitment to quality, on-time delivery and excellent customer support. The companies which were recognized during the 2014 Supplier Conference exceeded the standards of excellence at Spartan:

• Allison Transmission (Indianapolis, Ind.)
• Dana Automotive Systems Group (Sterling, Ill.)
• DTS Fluid Power (Grandville, Mich.)
• Douglas Autotech Corporation (Bronson, Mich.)
• F.B. Wright Company (Kentwood, Mich.)
• Harris Battery Company, Inc. (Bolivar, Ohio)
• Jorgensen Steel Machining & Fabrication, Inc. (Tekonsha, Mich.)
• Power Brake & Spring Service Company (Elkhart, Ind.)
• Precision Cable Assemblies, LLC (Brookfield, Wis.)
• Professional Metal Works (Haslett, Mich.)
• Vicon Fabricating Company (Mentor, Ohio)

Additional suppliers were recognized for other contributions to the Company.

Spartan continuously evaluates its the 1,000-plus suppliers to ensure adherence to the Company's ever-increasing requirements. Suppliers that consistently exceed the performance criteria have the opportunity to increase their business levels with the Company.

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.