Spartan Motors Form 8-K - 01/14/08



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):  January 14, 2008

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.)

 



1000 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 January 14, 2008, 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 January 14, 2008. 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:  January 14, 2008

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 January 14, 2008.













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Spartan Motors Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K - 01/14/08

EXHIBIT 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Spartan Motors Repurchases 250,000 Shares, Reaffirms Record 2007 Results

CHARLOTTE, Michigan, Jan. 14, 2008 - Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) reported it has repurchased 250,000 shares of its common stock in the open market in December 2007, reflecting the Company's belief that its stock is undervalued. Spartan also confirmed it expects to report a record 2007 fourth quarter and year-end driven by growth in all three of its primary product lines - luxury motorhome chassis, emergency rescue and specialty vehicles.

The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of custom chassis and specialty vehicles said it completed the recent share buyback at an average price of $7.75 per share. In July 2007, Spartan received authorization from its board of directors to repurchase up to 1 million shares over a 12-month period. Spartan said it will continue to evaluate its best use of cash, but indicated continued stock buybacks will remain part of the mix.

"Despite the current uncertain economic conditions in 2008, we have multiple product lines supporting our diverse business model," said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. "We are positioned well to grow our business. Luxury motorhome chassis are less sensitive to increases in fuel prices than the RV market as a whole. Emergency-rescue vehicles must still respond to calls for help every 20 seconds, regardless of the economy. Lastly, with the current backlog and the expectation of additional subcontract orders in the near future from our MRAP military customers, our specialty vehicle chassis will see very substantial growth in 2008.

"In addition, the accelerating service/parts business and our expected improvements in efficiency and return on invested capital place Spartan in a strong position for 2008 and beyond. Thus, we believe our shares to be currently undervalued. Based on these foundational platforms, we look forward to a strong finish in 2007, and we remain comfortable with the range of our analysts' earnings estimates for fiscal 2008 of $0.80 to $1.06 per share."

About Spartan Motors

Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com) designs, engineers and manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, emergency-rescue and specialty vehicle markets. The Company's brand names - SpartanTM, Crimson FireTM, Crimson Fire AerialsTM, and Road RescueTM - are known for quality, value, service and being the first to market with innovative products. The Company employs approximately 1,300 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and South Dakota. Spartan reported sales of $445 million in 2006 and is focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America.



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Spartan Motors / Page 2 of 2


This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives and the performance of our products. Words and phrases such as "expect" or "believe," statements that a particular result or condition is "on track," or "improving," and similar expressions regarding the plans and objectives of the Company are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 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 ot her 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.

CONTACT:

Dave Reid
Spartan Motors, Inc.
(517) 543-6400

Ryan McGrath or Jeff Lambert
Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc.
(616) 233-0500 / rmcgrath@lambert-edwards.com


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