Spartan Motors, Inc.









SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 31, 2003

SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)

 

Michigan
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-13611
(Commission
File Number)

38-2078923
(IRS Employer
Identification no.)

 

1165 Reynolds Road
Charlotte, Michigan

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


48813
(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number,
including area code:  (517) 543-6400













Item 7.

Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information, and Exhibits.


 

(c)

Exhibits: The following documents are included as exhibits to this report on Form 8-K:

 

 

 

 

 

 

99.1

Spartan Motors, Inc. Press Release dated July 31, 2003.

 

 

 

 

Item 12.

Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

          On July 31, 2003, Spartan Motors, Inc. issued the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K concerning its financial results for the second quarter of 2003. This report and the exhibit are furnished pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K and are not considered "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission.





























2


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:  July 31, 2003

By  /s/ James W. Knapp


 

     James W. Knapp
     Chief Financial Officer




































3


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

 

                     Document

 

 

 

          99.1

 

Spartan Motors, Inc. Press Release dated July 31, 2003.



































4


Spartan Motors, Inc. Exhibit 99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Sztykiel, CEO, or Jim Knapp, CFO
Spartan Motors, Inc. (517) 543-6400
or
Brian Edwards, Jeff Lambert (mail@lambert-edwards.com)
Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc. (616) 233-0500

Spartan Motors Announces 2003 Second-Quarter Results

CHARLOTTE, Michigan, July 31, 2003 -- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR) today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2003, highlighted by progress on key operating initiatives and increased orders for emergency-rescue vehicles and chassis.

The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of custom motorhome chassis, fire-truck chassis and emergency-rescue vehicles reported net earnings of $0.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, on sales of $55.1 million in the 2003 second quarter, compared with net earnings of $3.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, on sales of $65.3 million in the same period last year. The 2003 second-quarter results include a pretax adjustment of $1.3 million related to inventory at its fire truck operations, as well as an after-tax gain of $1.0 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, related to the Company's discontinued school bus operation.

"The second quarter was disappointing from both a market perspective as well as within our own operations," said John Sztykiel, chief executive officer of Spartan Motors. "Softness in the motorhome industry, expenses related to the relocation of our ambulance operations and costs related to the merger of our fire apparatus units created a significant drain on earnings. That said, we are confident the worst is behind us. Our markets are showing positive signs, and we have stepped up our efforts to complete these key transitions by the end of the third quarter. What we are going through in 2003 must be done if we are to establish the right foundation for profitable growth in the emergency-rescue sector."

Spartan said operational changes within its emergency vehicle team (EVTeam) -- which makes Road Rescue® ambulances and Crimson Fire® fire apparatus -- increased expenses in the second quarter, but are expected to yield improved profitability beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003. Spartan is completing the process of merging the operations of its two fire truck companies into one company, Crimson Fire, and earlier in the second quarter announced plans to move its Minnesota Road Rescue operations into its new state-of-the-art facility in South Carolina. Additionally, Spartan said the launch of the Gladiator Evolution fire truck chassis had started slowly, but is improving in terms of production efficiency and margin contribution.

"Our progress on these key initiatives and the recent growth in orders should yield improved results as we move forward. In the interim, we are instilling a sense of urgency among associates to increase production, improve efficiency and reduce expenses -- without sacrificing quality or service," Sztykiel said.

--more--




SPARTAN MOTORS / Page 2 of 3

Second-Quarter Operating Highlights

Spartan Motors said consolidated sales declined 15.6 percent versus last year's strong second quarter, reflecting lower sales of motorhome chassis, ambulances and fire trucks. The decline was offset partly by increased sales of fire truck chassis, which grew 9.3 percent over last year's second quarter.

Expenses related to EVTeam operational changes, combined with lower sales and the changing product mix, contributed to a lower consolidated gross margin versus last year's second quarter. Gross margin for the EVTeam was also adversely impacted by a negative physical inventory and other costing adjustments. Gross margin totaled 12.8 percent for the second quarter of 2003, versus 17.8 percent for the same period last year. Investments in R&D, new products and new marketing initiatives contributed to a 3.6 percent increase in operating expenses versus the year-ago quarter. Interest expense decreased slightly versus the year-ago quarter, reflecting the Company's efforts to manage working capital and keep long-term debt levels at zero.

"We have challenged our subsidiaries to trim operating expenses while continuing to invest in new product development, innovation and marketing," Chief Financial Officer James Knapp said. "Our goal is to reduce quarterly operating expenses, even as we work to develop new products, such as our new aerial fire truck initiative."

Spartan Motors Chassis (SMC)

For the second quarter in a row, increased sales of Spartan® fire-truck chassis helped offset a double-digit decline in motorhome chassis sales versus the prior-year period. Spartan Motors attributed the increase to higher sales of Big Easy and Gladiator Evolution chassis models. Sales of motorhome chassis decreased 23 percent versus last year's second quarter, reflecting continued softness in the motorhome market.

"Our fire-truck chassis business continues to do well, reflecting demand created by new emissions standards as well as the response by fire apparatus OEMs to the Evolution and Big Easy chassis," Sztykiel said. "Orders are accelerating and our production output is increasing, putting us on track to sell more than 500 fire truck chassis in 2003, the most ever in a single year."

Commenting on SMC's motorhome chassis business, Sztykiel said: "A number of market factors made for a tough quarter, including model-year changeover, overstocked dealer inventories and pricing pressure at the retail level. We took an aggressive stance on cutting operating expenses and increasing our focus on sales. Order intake has picked up in the third quarter, but we remain cautious about the short-term recovery of the motorhome market."

Emergency Vehicle Team (EVTeam)

Spartan Motors said sales in its EVTeam segment decreased 24.3 percent compared with last year's second quarter, reflecting lower production volumes of Road Rescue® ambulances and Crimson Fire® fire trucks. Lower sales levels, combined with higher expenses related to the operational restructuring at each of the units, resulted in decreased margins.

--more--




SPARTAN MOTORS / Page 3 of 3

"We are making progress with the EVTeam companies," Sztykiel said. "Crimson Fire has streamlined production, added key dealers and reduced redundant costs that had been in place prior to the merger of our former Luverne and Quality subsidiaries. We are seeing signs that bode well for the future -- our build times are improving, and Crimson's order intake rate in the second quarter was the best it has been in a year."

"The consolidation of our two Road Rescue plants under one roof in Marion, South Carolina is proceeding slowly," Sztykiel said. "While we are maintaining a high level of quality and our order intake rate for ambulances is accelerating, total shipments in the second quarter were down 25 percent versus the same quarter a year ago. We are focusing on making significant improvements in production volume and shipments over the next three months."

Spartan Profit and Return (SPAR)/Backlog

Spartan Motors generated $2.2 million in cash flows from continuing operations in the second quarter, due primarily to efforts to manage working capital.

Consolidated backlog was $76.4 million as of June 30, 2003 -- an increase of 5.4 percent over the backlog level at March 31, 2003. The Company said the backlog for Road Rescue ambulances and Spartan fire-truck chassis increased, due partially to strong order rates, while backlog levels for motorhome chassis and Crimson Fire vehicles remained comparable to the first quarter 2003.

CFO Knapp concluded: "2003 continues to be a challenge, but we are determined to improve our performance in the second half of the year by controlling our own destiny. Each of Spartan's 750 associates is being challenged to be accountable to the business basics of making a great product, generating cash flow and improving our return on invested capital. We expect to improve profitability in the back half of the year and are making substantial investments to prepare the Company for more significant improvement in 2004."

About Spartan Motors

Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com) designs, engineers and manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance and emergency-rescue markets. The company's brand names -- Spartan®, Crimson Fire® and Road Rescue® -- are known in their market niches for quality, value, service and being the first to market with innovative products. Spartan Motors employs more than 750 at facilities in Michigan, South Dakota, Alabama, Minnesota and South Carolina and is publicly traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol SPAR.

The statements contained in this news release include certain predictions and projections that may be considered "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases indicating that the Company or management "expects," "believes" or is "confident" that a particular result "may" or "should" occur, that a particular item "bodes well," that the Company is "on track" toward a particular result, or similar statements. Accounting estimates are inherently forward-looking. These statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services and prices. Additional information about these and other factors that may adversely affect these forward-looking statements are contained in the Company's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date of this news release.

###




Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 
 
 


June 30,
2003

$-000-


 
 
 


 
 
 


December 31,
2002

$-000-


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Cash and cash equivalents

$

9,558

 

$

8,082

 

     Accounts receivable, net

 

25,166

 

 

28,823

 

     Inventories

 

29,724

 

 

25,205

 

     Taxes receivable

 

708

 

 

-

 

     Other current assets

 

4,928

 

 

4,751

 

     Current assets of discontinued operations

 


241


 


 


307


 

          Total current assets

 

70,325

 

 

67,168

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

15,158

 

 

15,155

 

Goodwill, net

 

4,543

 

 

4,543

 

Other assets

 

1,372

 

 

1,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$


91,398


 


$


88,312


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Accounts payable

$

17,956

 

$

15,940

 

     Other current liabilities and accrued expenses

 

2,430

 

 

2,202

 

     Accrued warranty

 

2,569

 

 

2,768

 

     Taxes on income

 

-

 

 

1,412

 

     Accrued vacation, compensation and related taxes

 

3,356

 

 

5,449

 

     Deposits from customers

 

5,473

 

 

4,098

 

     Current liabilities of discontinued operations

 


-


 


 


9


 

          Total current liabilities

 

31,784

 

 

31,878

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Preferred stock

 

-

 

 

-

 

     Common stock

 

121

 

 

120

 

     Additional paid in capital

 

31,613

 

 

30,776

 

     Retained earnings

 


27,880


 


 


25,538


 

          Total shareholders' equity

 

59,614

 

 

56,434

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$


91,398


 


$


88,312


 




Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

 



 

 

June 30, 2003

 

 

June 30, 2002

 

 

 


$-000-


 


 


%


 


 


$-000-


 


 


%


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

55,117

 

 

 

 

 

65,315

 

 

 

 

Cost of Sales

 


48,088


 


 


 


 


 


53,678


 


 


 


 

Gross Profit

 


7,029


 


 


12.8


 


 


11,637


 


 


17.8


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Research and Development

 

1,854

 

 

3.4

 

 

1,727

 

 

2.6

 

     Selling, General and Administrative

 


5,537


 


 


10.1


 


 


5,406


 


 


8.3


 

Total Operating Expenses

 

7,391

 

 

13.5

 

 

7,133

 

 

10.9

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Operating Income

 


(362


)


 


(0.7


)


 


4,504


 


 


6.9


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest Expense

 

(117

)

 

(0.2

)

 

(124

)

 

(0.2

)

     Interest and Other Income

 


129


 


 


0.3


 


 


107


 


 


0.2


 

Total Other Income (Expense)

 

12

 

 

0.1

 

 

(17

)

 

0.0

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Earnings before Taxes

 


(350


)


 


(0.6


)


 


4,487


 


 


6.9


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxes

 

(129

)

 

(0.2

)

 

1,757

 

 

2.7

 

 

 


 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

 


(221


)


 


(0.4


)


 


2,730


 


 


4.2


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Gain on Disposal of Carpenter

 

955

 

 

1.7

 

 

302

 

 

0.4

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Earnings

 


734


 


 


1.3


 


 


3,032


 


 


4.6


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Net Earnings per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

 

(0.02

)

 

 

 

 

0.24

 

 

 

 

     Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Gain on Disposal of Carpenter

 


0.08


 


 


 


 


 


0.03


 


 


 


 

Basic Net Earnings per Share

 


0.06


 


 


 


 


 


0.27


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Net Earnings per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

 

(0.02

)

 

 

 

 

0.23

 

 

 

 

     Gain from Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Gain on Disposal of Carpenter

 


0.08


 


 


 


 


 


0.02


 


 


 


 

Diluted Net Earnings per Share

 


0.06


 


 


 


 


 


0.25


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

12,122

 

 

 

 

 

11,438

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

12,403

 

 

 

 

 

12,070

 

 

 

 




Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

 



 

 

June 30, 2003

 

 

June 30, 2002

 

 

 


$-000-


 


 


%


 


 


$-000-


 


 


%


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

115,535

 

 

 

 

 

132,034

 

 

 

 

Cost of Sales

 


98,922


 


 


 


 


 


108,172


 


 


 


 

Gross Profit

 


16,613


 


 


14.4


 


 


23,862


 


 


18.1


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Research and Development

 

3,603

 

 

3.1

 

 

3,655

 

 

2.8

 

     Selling, General and Administrative

 


10,807


 


 


9.4


 


 


10,863


 


 


8.2


 

Total Operating Expenses

 

14,410

 

 

12.5

 

 

14,518

 

 

11.0

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Operating Income

 


2,203


 


 


1.9


 


 


9,344


 


 


7.1


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest Expense

 

(169

)

 

(0.1

)

 

(215

)

 

(0.2

)

     Interest and Other Income

 


262


 


 


0.2


 


 


52


 


 


0.1


 

Total Other Income (Expense)

 

93

 

 

0.1

 

 

(163

)

 

(0.1

)

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Earnings before Taxes

 


2,296


 


 


2.0


 


 


9,181


 


 


7.0


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxes

 

427

 

 

0.4

 

 

3,212

 

 

2.5

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

 


1,869


 


 


1.6


 


 


5,969


 


 


4.5


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Gain on Disposal of Carpenter

 

1,465

 

 

1.3

 

 

378

 

 

0.3

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Earnings

 


3,334


 


 


2.9


 


 


6,347


 


 


4.8


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Net Earnings per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

 

0.16

 

 

 

 

 

0.54

 

 

 

 

     Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Gain on Disposal of Carpenter

 


0.12


 


 


 


 


 


0.03


 


 


 


 

Basic Net Earnings per Share

 


0.28


 


 


 


 


 


0.57


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Net Earnings per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

 

0.15

 

 

 

 

 

0.51

 

 

 

 

     Gain from Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Gain on Disposal of Carpenter

 


0.12


 


 


 


 


 


0.03


 


 


 


 

Diluted Net Earnings per Share

 


0.27


 


 


 


 


 


0.54


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

12,090

 

 

 

 

 

11,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

12,445

 

 

 

 

 

11,685