Spartan Motors Form 8-K - 10/16/07


UNITED STATES
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):  October 16, 2007

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))







Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure

          On October 16, 2007, Spartan Motors, Inc. (the "Company") issued the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K, which is here incorporated by reference.

          The attached press release contains forward-looking statements which are discussed in greater detail in the press release itself. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date of this filing.

          This Report and the Exhibit are furnished to, and not filed with, the Commission.


Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

   
 

(d)

Exhibits:
     
   

99.1

Spartan Motors, Inc. Press Release dated October 16, 2007. This Exhibit is furnished to, and not filed with, the Commission.









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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 hereunto duly authorized.


 

SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  October 16, 2007

By  /s/ James W. Knapp


 

     James W. Knapp
     Chief Financial Officer













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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

 

                     Document

 

 

 

99.1

 

Spartan Motors, Inc. Press Release dated October 16, 2007.











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Spartan Motors Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K - 10/16/07

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Spartan Chassis Adds Manufacturing Capacity with Two Additional Plants

CHARLOTTE, Michigan, October 16, 2007 - Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), announced the purchase of two additional manufacturing facilities near its headquarters in Charlotte, Mich.

The facilities, which total 200,000 square-feet, will help Spartan meet anticipated increased demand from its military customers to supply and integrate key chassis components for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The added capacity will also free production space at Spartan's other facilities for increased fire truck and motorhome chassis production.

"These plant acquisitions will allow us to again expand our overall capacity to meet the increased order demand we are experiencing from our military customers," said Richard Schalter, president of Spartan Chassis. "As we continue to receive new contracts and increase production of existing products, these new facilities, along with the two that we acquired earlier this year, will provide us with the space we need to expand our military integration capabilities while simultaneously increasing our production for existing products."

Spartan Motors reported it plans to spend $4.5 million to purchase and renovate the buildings. One of the facilities is already operational. The second building is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

"These capacity additions make it possible for Spartan Chassis to continue to improve efficiency and allow us to better specialize and focus production within a facility whether it be an RV, fire truck or specialty vehicle chassis," said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. "This reflects the current strength of our business as well as the significant potential we see for our proven products. The combination of added capacity and improved efficiency are critical as we focus on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America."

Spartan Chassis has been awarded several sub-contract orders for chassis integration for MRAP vehicles. Spartan's orders have totaled more than $130 million spanning three major MRAP OEM suppliers over the last three months.

MRAP vehicles are designed to protect their occupants from a combination of mines, rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, and improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, through their V-shaped hull, raised chassis and improved armor. According to U.S. government reports, roadside bombs and IEDs account for 70 percent of U.S. deaths and injuries in Iraq.

About Spartan Chassis, Inc.:
Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), is a leading developer and manufacturer of custom chassis for recreational vehicles, fire trucks and specialty vehicles. Spartan Motors, which also manufactures emergency rescue vehicles under the brand names of Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue, reported sales of $445 million in 2006 and is focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives and the performance of our products. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications may arise that could prevent the prompt implementation of the plans outlined above. The company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov). Government contracts and subcontracts typically involve long payment and purchase cycles, competitive bidding, qualification requirements, delays or changes in funding, extensive specification development and changes, price negotiations and milestone requirements. An announced award of a governmental contract is not equivalent to a finalized executed contract and does not assure that orders will be issued and filled. Government agencies also often retain some portion of fees payable upon completion of a project and collection of contract fees may be delayed for long periods, which can negatively impact both prime contractors and subcontractors. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Contact:

Karen Hildebrant
Spartan Motors, Inc.
(517) 543-6400 ext. 3111

Jeremy Bakken, Jeff Lambert
Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc.
(616) 233-0500