UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                          WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
=============================================================================
                                 FORM 10-Q

            QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                    THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


             For the Quarter Ended          Commission File Number
              SEPTEMBER 30, 1997                    0-13611


                            SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
           (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                   MICHIGAN                        38-2078923
        (State or Other Jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer
        Incorporation or Organization)        Identification No.)

              1000 REYNOLDS ROAD
              CHARLOTTE, MICHIGAN                     48813
   (Address of Principal Executive Offices)         (Zip Code)

    Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:  (517) 543-6400

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

            Yes   __X__                           No  _____

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
OUTSTANDING AT CLASS NOVEMBER 1, 1997 ----- ---------------- Common stock, $.01 par value 12,555,960 shares
============================================================================= SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. INDEX ======================================== PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE Item 1. Financial Statements: Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 1997 (Unaudited) and December 31, 1996 1-2 Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 (Unaudited) 3-4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 (Unaudited) 5-6 Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 7-9 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 10-13 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings 14 Item 2. Changes in Securities 14 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 14 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders 14 Item 5. Other Information 14 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 14 SIGNATURES 16 -i- PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ======================================
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996 ------------------ ----------------- (Unaudited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,958,121 $ 4,912,001 Investment securities (Note 5) 4,713,298 8,955,809 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $555,746 in 1997 and $629,000 in 1996 24,273,785 26,299,698 Inventories (note 4) 34,226,327 24,283,517 Deferred tax benefit 1,050,845 1,471,700 Federal taxes receivable 575,055 925,000 Other current assets 1,682,172 1,063,601 -------------- ------------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 479,603 67,911,326 ============== ============= PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $9,231,821 and $7,977,012 in 1997 and 1996, respectively 11,997,161 11,403,194 EQUITY INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE 10,982,145 -- GOODWILL 3,207,442 OTHER ASSETS 412,264 368,249 -------------- ------------- TOTAL $ 96,078,615 $ 79,682,769 ============== =============
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. -1- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ======================================
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996 ------------------ ----------------- (Unaudited) LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 10,060,345 $ 6,264,362 Notes Payable 1,945,001 Other current liabilities and accrued expenses 1,682,846 2,058,820 Accrued warranty expense 2,570,263 2,002,870 Accrued customer rebates 589,892 480,216 Accrued taxes payable 1,949,518 -- Accrued compensation and related taxes 1,192,618 1,034,496 Accrued vacation 828,350 644,754 Deposits from customers 2,309,086 -- Current portion of long-term debt 1,232,664 586,000 -------------- ------------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 24,360,583 13,071,518 LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion 8,678,723 5,206,631 -------------- ------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 33,039,306 18,278,149 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred Stock, no par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized (none issued) Common Stock, $.01 par value, 23,900,000 authorized, issued 12,288,372 shares in 1997 and 12,354,072 shares in 1996 125,640 123,541 Additional paid in capital 23,088,566 21,065,942 Retained earnings 39,829,010 40,195,117 Valuation allowance (3,907) 20,020 -------------- ------------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 63,039,309 61,404,620 -------------- ------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 96,078,615 $ 79,682,769 ============== ==============
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. -2- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) ======================================
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, -------------------------------- 1997 1996 ------------- ------------- SALES $ 38,327,198 $ 40,984,645 COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD 32,890,637 35,221,177 ------------- ------------- GROSS PROFIT 5,436,561 5,763,468 OPERATING EXPENSES Research and development 1,072,512 970,706 Selling, general, and administrative 3,437,951 3,172,460 ------------- ------------- OPERATING INCOME 926,098 1,620,302 OTHER INCOME EXPENSE Interest Expense (175,986) (117,571) Interest and Other Income 152,008 336,765 ------------- ------------- EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES ON INCOME AND 902,120 1,839,496 EQUITY IN LOSS OF AFFILIATE EQUITY IN LOSS OF AFFILIATE 1,140,798 -- ------------- ------------- EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES ON INCOME (238,678) 1,839,496 TAXES ON INCOME 226,124 637,000 ------------- ------------- NET EARNINGS $ (464,802) $ 1,202,496 ============= ============= NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE $ (0.04) $ 0.10 ============= ============= WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING 393,000 12,523,000 ============= =============
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. -3- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) ======================================
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------- 1997 1996 ------------- ------------ SALES $ 123,241,213 $ 132,467,697 COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD 104,867,797 113,712,245 -------------- -------------- GROSS PROFIT 18,373,416 18,755,452 OPERATING EXPENSES Research and development 3,324,732 3,050,796 Selling, general, and administrative 10,681,546 10,565,404 -------------- -------------- OPERATING INCOME 4,367,138 5,139,252 OTHER INCOME EXPENSE Interest Expense (623,439) (356,929) Interest and Other Income 867,091 944,470 -------------- -------------- EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES ON INCOME AND EQUITY IN LOSS OF AFFILIATE 4,610,790 5,726,793 EQUITY IN LOSS OF AFFILIATE 2,017,855 -- -------------- -------------- EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES ON INCOME 2,592,935 5,726,793 TAXES ON INCOME 1,674,524 2,169,000 -------------- -------------- NET EARNINGS $ 918,411 $ 3,557,793 ============== ============== NET EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.07 $ 0.28 ============== ============== DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE $ 0.07 $ 0.05 ============== ============== WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING 12,472,000 12,583,000 ============== ==============
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. -4- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) ======================================
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------- 1997 1996 ------------ ----------- NET EARNINGS $ 918,411 $ 3,557,793 ------------ -------------- Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 1,255,665 1,336,582 Gain on sales of marketable securities and fixed assets (49,785) (4,383) Equity in net loss of affiliate 2,017,855 -- Change in Assets and Liabilities net of effects of Acquisition of Subsidiaries Accounts receivable 5,043,583 (8,341,144) Inventories (3,826,311) (2,950,232) Deferred tax benefit 444,255 (92,000) Federal taxes receivable 349,945 -- Other current assets (98,461) 281,014 Accounts payable 819,889 5,725,558 Other current liabilities and accrued expenses (739,526) 340,685 Accrued warranty expense 505,276 172,194 Accrued customer rebate 95,588 (343,471) Accrued taxes payable 1,805,924 (142,000) Accrued compensation and related taxes (62,860) 330,000 Other (169,891) ------------ -------------- TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS 7,391,146 (3,687,197) ------------ -------------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES 309,557 (129,404)
-5- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)-CONTINUED ======================================
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------- 1997 1996 ------------ ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of property, plant, and equipment $ (1,182,951) $ (1,130,708) Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 18,600 Purchases of investment securities (9,262,827) (3,616,662) Proceeds from sales of investment securities 13,531,196 2,001,182 Investment in Affiliate (13,000,000) Acquisition of Subsidiaries, net of cash rec'd (73,995,981) Principal repayment on notes receivable -- 1,061,219 --------------- -------------- NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (891,963) (1,684,969) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from notes payable $ 1,795,000 $ Proceeds on notes payable (266,510) Proceeds from long-term debt 5,000,000 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 229,783 85,360 Payments on long-term debt (1,708,498) (341,943) Purchase of treasury stock (556,037) (1,516,925) Dividends paid (865,212) (626,679) --------------- -------------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 3,628,526 (2,400,187) EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH -- 176,842 --------------- -------------- NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,953,880) (4,037,718) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 4,912,001 5,202,595 =============== ============== CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 2,958,121 $ 1,164,877 =============== ==============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid for interest was $623,014 and $357,729 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Cash paid for income taxes was $633,508 and $1,871,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 respectively. See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. -6- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ______________________________________ NOTE 1 For a description of the accounting policies followed refer to the notes to the Company's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 1997. NOTE 2 The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are necessary for fair presentation of the financial position as of September 30, 1997, and the results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996. NOTE 3 The results of operations for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. NOTE 4 Inventories consist of raw materials and purchased components, work in process, and finished goods and are summarized as follows:
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996 ------------------ ----------------- Finished goods $ 3,088,045 $ 2,449,406 Raw materials and purchased components 28,332,154 22,057,444 Work in process 3,834,437 528,667 Obsolescence reserve (1,028,309) (752,000) ------------ ------------ $ 34,226,327 $ 24,283,517 ============ ============
NOTE 5 In January 1997 the Company acquired a 33% interest in Carpenter Industries, Inc. ("Carpenter") for approximately $10 million. In the third quarter of 1997, Spartan Motors increased its investment in Carpenter by $3 million, in conjunction with equal contributions by the other Shareholders of Carpenter Industries. Carpenter is a manufacturer of school bus bodies and chassis. The Company accounts for its investment in Carpenter using the equity method of accounting. A summary of Carpenter's balance sheet as of September 30, 1997 and the results of its operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1997 are as follows: -7- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-CONTINUED ______________________________________
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 ------------------ (Unaudited) Balance Sheet Total Assets $ 69,075,675 ============= Total Liabilities 46,628,838 Stockholders' Equity 22,446,837 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 69,075,675 ============= Income Statement Revenues $ 57,383,327 Loss before interest and taxes (3,395,221) Net Loss $ (6,053,564) =============
NOTE 6 During the six months ended September 30, 1997, shareholders' equity changed as follows:
Balance at December 31, 1996 $ 61,404,620 Net earnings 918,411 Exercise of stock options 229,783 Dividends paid (865,212) Purchase and constructive retirement of stock (556,037) Stock Issued In Purchase of Subsidiary 1,931,671 Valuation allowance - investment securities (23,927) ------------- Balance at September 30, 1997 $ 63,039,309 =============
NOTE 7 During the third quarter of 1997, the Company completed acquisitions of two fire truck apparatus manufacturers. On August 21, 1997, the Company purchased all of the stock of -8- Luverne Fire Truck Apparatus Co., Ltd. On August 31, 1997, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with CTS Holding Company, Inc (CTS) in connection with the acquisition of Quality Manufacturing, Inc. The purchase price paid for the two companies was $6,077,896 including cash consideration of $4,146,315 with the balance funded through the issuance of 253,338 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The fair market value of the Company's common stock on the effective date of the transaction was $7-5/8 per share. Funds for the payment of the purchase price were primarily provided through cash from operations. The acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities have been recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, $2,961,127, has been recorded as goodwill, which will be amortized over 15 years. The fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed were as follows: current assets of $9,695,376; property plant and equipment of $685,281; other assets of $26,318; current liabilities of $6,859,511; and long-term liabilities of $827,254. The following pro forma results of the operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, assume the acquisition occurred at the beginning of the respective periods. These unaudited pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition been in effect on the dates indicated, or of the results which may occur in the future.
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------ 1997 1996 -------------- ----------- Net Sales $ 143,640,484 151,435,548 Net Earnings 1,539,891 4,470,836 Earnings per Share 0.12 0.36
NOTE 8 The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued three new accounting standards, which apply, to the Company. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings per Share," which is effective for financial statements issued after December 31, 1997, requires companies to present earnings per share on the face of the income statement in two categories -9- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-CONTINUED ______________________________________ called "Basic and Diluted" and requires restatement of all periods presented. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 128 during the fourth quarter of 1997. The Company anticipates that the adoption of SFAS No. 128 will not have a material impact on earnings per share. SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," requires companies to classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and to display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in-capital in the equity section of a statement of financial position. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 130 in 1998. SFAS No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" which is affective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 1997, requires that a public business enterprise report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 131 in 1998. NOTE 9 The Company has entered into a letter of intent to acquire a third fire truck manufacturer and it is expected that the transaction will close by the end of the fourth quarter of 1997. NOTE 10 Additional Information. The Company has entered into a letter to acquire a third fire truck manufacturer and it is expected that the transaction will close by the end of the fourth quarter of 1997. -10- ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following is a discussion of the major elements impacting the Company's financial and operating results for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 1997 compared to the same periods ended September 30, 1996. The comments that follow should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this Form 10-Q. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the components of the Company's consolidated statements of net earnings, on an actual basis, as a percentage of revenues:
THREE MONTHS NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------- ------------------ 1997 1996 1997 1996 ---- ---- ---- ---- Revenues 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of Product Sold 85.8 85.9 85.1 85.8 Gross Profit 14.2% 14.1% 14.9% 14.2% Operating Expenses Research and development 2.8% 2.4% 2.7% 2.3% Selling, general, and administrative 9.0 7.7 8.7 8.0 Total Operating Expenses 11.8% 10.1% 11.4% 10.3% Income from operations 2.4% 4.0% 3.5% 3.9% Interest Expense (.4) (.3) (.5) (.3) Other income (expense) .4 .8 .7 .7 Earnings before taxes on income and equity in income (loss) of affiliate 2.4% 4.5% 4.2% 4.3% Equity in loss of affiliate 3.0 -- 1.6 -- Taxes on income .6 1.6 1.4% 1.6 Net earnings (loss) (1.2)% 2.9% .7% 2.7%
-11- ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED) THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 The Company reported lower sales and earnings for the third quarter of 1997 compared to the same period in 1996. Revenues declined $2.7 million from $41.0 million for the third quarter of 1996 to $38.3 million for the third quarter of 1997 which is a 6.5% reduction. A decline in school bus revenues of 88.3% and a decline in bus and specialty chassis revenues of 21.0% accounted for the majority of this reduction in revenues. The decline in school bus revenues is caused by reduced sales to Carpenter Industries, which had a slow third quarter. However, during the third quarter of 1997, Carpenter did secure two significant orders from the states of Florida and Kentucky which gives Carpenter a solid backlog going into 1998. Gross profit declined 5.7% from $5.8 million in 1996 to $5.4 million in 1997. Gross margins increased slightly for the third quarter of 1997 in relation to the third quarter of 1996. Notably, the gross margin on the Chassis business increased nearly 6% during this quarter, however the recently acquired apparatus subsidiaries operate at smaller gross margins than the Company has been earning historically. This increase in gross margin in the chassis product line reflects the results of the Company's efforts to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Net income declined from $1.2 million in the third quarter of 1996 to a loss of $.5 million for the third quarter of 1997. This loss is largely attributable to the equity in loss of Carpenter Industries, which was $1.1 for the third quarter of 1997. Operating expenses increased $367,000 for the third quarter of 1997 primarily due to the consolidation of the newly acquired subsidiaries. Interest expense increased $58,000 and other income decreased $50,000 primarily because of the $13 million dollar investment in Carpenter over the last nine months, which was funded by $5 million dollars of debt, $5 million dollars of liquidated marketable securities, and 3 million dollars of cash. The equity in loss of affiliate represents the Company's one-third share of the $3.4 million dollar loss recorded by Carpenter for the three months ended September 30, 1997. Total chassis order intake decreased 57% in the third quarter of 1997 compared to the third quarter of 1996. This increase primarily is in the bus and motor home product lines with the majority of the increase coming from both transit and school bus orders. -12- ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED) NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 were $123.2 million compared with $132.5 million for the same period in 1996, a decrease of 7.0%. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 was $918,411 compared with $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, a decrease of 74.2%. This reduction in net income is primarily due to the $2.0 million equity in loss in Carpenter Industries. The decline in revenues is primarily due to a $7.8 million dollar decline in fire truck chassis sales and a $4.4 million dollar decline in bus sales. Total chassis production declined 10.5% with fire truck production down 19.3% and bus production down 32.3%. Gross profit declined 2.0% or $382,036 during the nine months ended September 30, 1997 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1996. However, gross margins increased a full percentage point from 14.2% in 1996 to 14.9%, which is a 7% increase during the same period. This increase in margins reflects the Company's continued emphasis on reducing costs and increasing efficiencies. Also, profit margins for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 in the specialty market have improved from the same period in 1996 as the Company continues to focus on diversification into other product lines to reduce the Company's dependence on any single product line. Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 remained consistent with 1996. However, net interest expense increased $266,510 and interest income declined $37,000 largely due to the $13 million investment in Carpenter Industries in January of 1997, which was partially financed with a five year term loan and $5.0 million dollar liquidation of marketable securities. Total chassis orders increased 4.7% during the nine-month period of 1997 versus the same period in 1996. This increase primarily is attributable to a 10.5% increase in motor home orders and a 15.6% increase in bus and specialty orders while fire truck chassis orders declined 34.7%. At September 30, 1997, the Company had approximately $66.2 million in chassis backlog compared with a backlog of approximately $44.8 million for the same period in 1996. This increase primarily is attributable to an increase in orders for bus chassis. While orders in backlog are subject to modification, cancellation or rescheduling by customers, the Company has not experienced significant modification, cancellation or rescheduling of orders in the past. Although the backlog of unfilled orders is one of many indicators of market demand, several factors, such as changes in production rates, available capacity, new product introductions, major component -13- ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED) availability and competitive pricing actions, may affect actual sales. Accordingly, a comparison of backlog from period to period is not necessarily indicative of eventual actual shipments. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company historically has financed its growth through a combination of funds provided from equity offerings, operations and long-term and short-term debt financing. During the nine months ended September 30, 1997, cash provided by operating activities was approximately $8.1 million. On September 30, 1997, the Company had working capital of $45.1 million compared to $54.8 million at December 31, 1996. The current ratio on September 30, 1997 decreased to 2.9 compared with 5.2 on December 31, 1996. The change in working capital was primarily the result of increases in the current portion of long-term debt incurred in the Carpenter Industries investment and the impact of the consolidation of the two subsidiaries purchased in August of 1997. The two subsidiaries account for the deposits from customers and an increase in receivable and inventories. The Company currently anticipates that cash generated from operations, the liquidity of short-term investment securities, and its existing credit line will be sufficient to satisfy working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. Such factors should provide the Company with financial flexibility to respond quickly to business opportunities as they arise, including opportunities for growth either through internal development or through strategic joint ventures or acquisitions. Shareholders equity decreased slightly to approximately $63.0 million as of September 30, 1997. This change primarily is due to the $.9 million of net earnings offset by the payment of a $.07 per share dividend, the repurchase of 80,100 shares of the Company's common stock and the issuance of 253,338 shares of common stock for the purchase of Quality Manufacturing. The Company's debt to equity ratio increased to 13.8% on September 30, 1997, compared with 8.5% on December 31, 1996 due to the $5 million of term debt used to partially finance the investment in Carpenter. The Company's unsecured line of credit with a bank provides for maximum borrowings of $15 million at 2% above the 30-day LIBOR, which was 5.75% at June 30, 1997. As of September 30, 1997, 1.0 million was outstanding against this line. In addition, under the terms of its credit agreement with its bank, the Company has the ability to issue letters of credit totaling $400,000. At June 30, 1997, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $200,000. -14- SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services and prices, and other factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. -15- PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is party, both as plaintiff and defendant to a number of lawsuits and claims arising out of the normal course of business. It is the best judgement of management that the financial position of the Company will not be materially affected by the final outcome of these legal proceedings. ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES The Board of Directors of the Company approved a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Plan ("Plan"). Under the plan, one Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Right is attached to each outstanding share of common stock, $.01 par value ("the Common Stock"), of the Company. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, no par value, at a price of $50 per share, subject to adjustment, upon a certain specified events. The description and terms of the Rights agreement are set forth in a Rights Agreement ("Rights Agreement") between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent. The Company filed a form 8-A Registration Statement covering the Plan with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 1997. The Rights Agreement appears as Exhibit 99(a) to that Form 8-K. ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES NOT APPLICABLE ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY-HOLDERS NOT APPLICABLE ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION NOT APPLICABLE ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) EXHIBITS. The following documents are filed as exhibits to this report on Form 10-Q: EXHIBIT NO. DOCUMENT ----------- -------- 3.1 Spartan Motors, Inc. Restated Articles of Incorporation. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference. -16- 3.2 Spartan Motors, Inc. Bylaws (restated to reflect all amendments). Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference. 4.1 Spartan Motors, Inc. Restated Articles of Incorporation. See Exhibit 3.1 above. 4.2 Spartan Motors, Inc. Bylaws. See Exhibit 3.2 above. 4.3 Rights Agreement dated June 4, 1997 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 8-A filed on June 25, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference. 27 Financial Data Schedule. (b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. The Company filed a Form 8-K on August 8, 1997 regarding a merger with CTS Holding Company, Inc. in connection with the Company's acquisition of Quality Manufacturing, Inc. of Talledaga, Alabama. The Company filed a Form 8-K on August 11, 1997 regarding the Company's stock purchase of Luverne Fire Apparatus Co., Ltd. of Brandon, South Dakota. -17- SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. Date: November 14, 1997 By /S/RICHARD J. SCHALTER Richard J. Schalter Secretary and Treasurer (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) -18- EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NUMBER DOCUMENT - -------------- -------- 3.1 Spartan Motors, Inc. Restated Articles of Incorporation. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference. 3.2 Spartan Motors, Inc. Bylaws (restated to reflect all amendments). Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference. 4.1 Spartan Motors, Inc. Restated Articles of Incorporation. See Exhibit 3.1 above. 4.2 Spartan Motors, Inc, Bylaws. See Exhibit 3.2 above. 4.3 Rights Agreement dated June 4, 1997 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 8-A filed on June 25, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference. 27 Financial Data Schedule.
 

5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 9-MOS DEC-31-1996 JAN-01-1996 SEP-30-1997 2,958,121 4,713,298 24,273,785 555,746 24,273,785 69,479,603 11,997,161 9,231,821 96,078,615 24,360,583 8,678,723 125,640 0 0 62,913,669 63,039,309 123,241,213 123,241,213 104,867,797 104,867,797 14,006,278 918,411 623,439 2,592,935 1,674,524 918,411 0 0 0 918,411 0.07 0.07