UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 
FORM 10-K
 
☒	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016	
 OR
☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________________ to _____________________	
 
Commission File Number 000-13611
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Michigan
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)	38-2078923
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)	
 	 	
1541 Reynolds Road
Charlotte, Michigan
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	
48813
(Zip Code)	
 
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code:  (517) 543-6400
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act	
 	 	
Title of Class
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value	Name of Exchange on which Registered
NASDAQ Global Select Market	
 	 	
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act: None	
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 	Yes	 	 	No	X	 	
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
 	Yes	 	 	No	X	 	
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 by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 	Yes	   X	 	No	 	 	
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large accelerated filer	 	  Accelerated filer	X	  Non-accelerated filer	 	Smaller reporting company	 	
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
 	Yes	 	 	No	X	 	
 
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the last sales price of such stock on NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2016, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $207,813,677.
 
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, as of February 27, 2017: 34,385,986 shares
 
Documents Incorporated by Reference
 
Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the registrant’s May 24, 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, are incorporated by reference in Part III.

 

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 
 
This Form 10-K contains some statements that are not historical facts. These statements are called “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve important known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and can be identified by phrases using “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “intend,” “predict,” “potential,” “future,” “may,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions or words. Our future results, performance or achievements may differ materially from the results, performance or achievements discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions (“Risk Factors”) that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
 
Risk Factors include the risk factors listed and more fully described in Item 1A below, “Risk Factors”, as well as risk factors that we have discussed in previous public reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The list in Item 1A below includes all known risks our management believes could materially affect the results described by forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K. However, these risks may not be the only risks we face. Our business, operations, and financial performance could also be affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial to our operations. In addition, new Risk Factors may emerge from time to time that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, although we believe that the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K are reasonable, we cannot provide you with any guarantee that the anticipated results will be achieved. All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section and investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date this Form 10-K is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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PART I
Item 1.	Business.	
 
When used in this Form 10-K, “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our” refers to Spartan Motors, Inc. and, depending on the context, could also be used to refer generally to the Company and its subsidiaries, which are described below.
 
General
 
Spartan Motors, Inc. was organized as a Michigan corporation on September 18, 1975, and is headquartered in Charlotte, Michigan. Spartan Motors began development of its first product that same year and shipped its first fire truck chassis in October 1975.
 
We are known as a leading, niche market engineer and manufacturer in the heavy-duty, custom vehicles marketplace. Our operating activities are conducted through our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Spartan Motors USA, Inc. (“Spartan USA”), with locations in Charlotte, Michigan; Brandon, South Dakota; Ephrata, Pennsylvania; and Bristol, Indiana, along with contract manufacturing in Kansas City, Missouri and Saltillo, Mexico. In addition, as a result of a recent acquisition described below, we now also have facilities in Snyder and Neligh, Nebraska; Delavan, Wisconsin; and a second location in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.
 
We recently completed a corporate reorganization. On July 1, 2015, our former Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. subsidiary (which operated our Charlotte, Michigan location) and our former Crimson Fire Aerials, Inc. subsidiary (which operated our Ephrata, Pennsylvania location) were merged into Spartan USA. On January 1, 2016, our former Utilimaster Corporation subsidiary (which operated our Bristol and Wakarusa, Indiana locations) was also merged into Spartan USA. These transactions were primarily completed in order to consolidate our U.S. operations into a single subsidiary and to simplify our corporate structure.
 
Our Charlotte, Michigan location manufactures heavy duty chassis and vehicles and supplies aftermarket parts and accessories under the Spartan Chassis and Spartan ERV brand names. Our Brandon, South Dakota and Ephrata, Pennsylvania locations manufacture emergency response vehicles under the Spartan ERV brand name, while our Bristol, Indiana location manufactures vehicles used in the parcel delivery, mobile retail and trades and construction industries, and supplies related aftermarket parts and services under the Utilimaster brand name. Our Kansas City, Missouri and Saltillo, Mexico locations sell and install equipment used in fleet vehicles. Spartan USA is also a participant in Spartan-Gimaex Innovations, LLC (“Spartan-Gimaex”), a 50/50 joint venture with Gimaex Holding, Inc. that was formed to provide emergency response vehicles for the domestic and international markets. Spartan-Gimaex is reported as a consolidated subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. In February 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. mutually agreed to begin discussions regarding the dissolution of the joint venture. In June 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. entered into court proceedings to determine the terms of the dissolution. In February 2017, by agreement of the parties, the court proceeding was dismissed with prejudice and the judge entered an order to this effect as the parties agreed to seek a dissolution plan on their own. No dissolution terms have been determined as of the date of this Form 10-K.
 
On January 1, 2017, Spartan USA acquired substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Smeal Properties, Inc., Ladder Tower Co., and U.S. Tanker Co. When used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Smeal” refers to the assets, liabilities, and operations acquired from such entities. The assets acquired consist of the assets used by the former owners of Smeal in the operation of its business designing, manufacturing, and distributing emergency response vehicle bodies and aerial devices for the fire service industry. Smeal has operations in Snyder and Neligh, Nebraska; Delavan, Wisconsin; and Ephrata, Pennsylvania and will be operated as part of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment.
 
Our business strategy is to further diversify product lines and develop innovative design, engineering and manufacturing expertise in order to be the best value producer of custom vehicle products. Our diversification across several sectors provides numerous opportunities while reducing overall risk. Additionally, our business model provides the agility to quickly respond to market needs, take advantage of strategic opportunities when they arise and correctly size operations to ensure stability and growth.
 
We have an innovative team focused on building lasting relationships with our customers. This is accomplished by striving to deliver premium custom vehicles, vehicle components, and services. We believe we can best carry out our long-term business plan and obtain optimal financial flexibility by using a combination of borrowings under our credit facilities, as well as internally or externally generated equity capital, as sources of expansion capital.

Our Segments
 
We identify our reportable segments based on our management structure and the financial data utilized by our chief operating decision makers to assess segment performance and allocate resources among our operating units. We have three reportable segments: Emergency Response Vehicles, Fleet Vehicles and Services, and Specialty Chassis and Vehicles. For certain financial information related to each segment, see Note 16,  Business Segments , of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
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Emergency Response VehiclesSegment
 
Our Emergency Response Vehicles segment consists of the emergency response chassis and vehicle operations at our Charlotte, Michigan location and the Spartan ERV operations at our Brandon, South Dakota and Ephrata, Pennsylvania locations, along with our Spartan-Gimaex joint venture. Beginning in 2017, the Spartan ERV operations will also include the Smeal operations in Snyder and Neligh, Nebraska, Delavan, Wisconsin and Ephrata, Pennsylvania. This segment engineers and manufactures emergency response chassis, emergency response bodies and aerial equipment, and distributes related aftermarket parts and accessories. The emergency response chassis operations of Spartan USA involve the design and manufacture of custom chassis for emergency response vehicles. Our Spartan ERV division specializes in the manufacture of aerial ladders and emergency response vehicle bodies which are mounted on custom chassis manufactured by Spartan, commercial chassis or other custom chassis. Sales from the Emergency Response Vehicles segment represented 31.0%, 35.1% and 37.5% of our consolidated sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
 
The Emergency Response Vehicles segment has extensive engineering experience in creating custom vehicles that perform specialized tasks, and generally manufactures vehicles only upon receipt of confirmed purchase orders; thus, it does not have significant amounts of completed product inventory. As an emergency response vehicle producer, Spartan Motors believes it holds a unique position for continued growth due to its engineering reaction time, manufacturing expertise and flexibility. The addition of Smeal will place Spartan among the four largest North American fire apparatus manufacturers. Spartan Motors markets its emergency response vehicles throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as in select markets in South America and Asia. The Emergency Response Vehicles segment employed 1,080 associates in Charlotte, Michigan; Brandon, South Dakota; Snyder and Neligh, Nebraska; Delavan, Wisconsin and Ephrata, Pennsylvania as of January 31, 2017, 4 of which were contracted employees.

Emergency Response Chassis
 
We custom manufacture emergency response chassis in response to customer specifications through our Spartan USA subsidiary. These specifications vary based on such factors as application, terrain, street configuration and the nature of the community, state or country in which the fire truck will be utilized. We have four fire truck models within this product line: (1) the “Gladiator” chassis; (2) the “Metro Star” chassis; (3) the “Metro Star X” chassis and (4) the “Metro Star RT” (rescue transport).
 
We strive to develop innovative engineering solutions to meet customer requirements, and design new products anticipating the future needs of the marketplace. We regularly introduce new vehicle systems and components that incrementally improve the level of product performance, reliability, and safety for vehicle occupants. We monitor the availability of new technology and work closely with our component manufacturers to apply new technology to our products.
 
Over the past few years, Spartan USA has introduced innovations on our emergency response chassis such as: our Spartan Select  and  180 truck  programs, designed to provide the custom apparatus that emergency response professionals need with unprecedented order-to-delivery cycle times as short as 180 days; our Intelligent Backup Camera system, which can distinguish moving from stationary objects and detect when the apparatus is in close proximity to a wall, another truck or a person; Mobile Gateway, which provides an extensive group of connectivity features - even if the communications infrastructure is compromised or down; heated roll down side glass; optimized engine tunnel; and a new fire truck cab interior configuration, which provides additional space and comfort in both the driver and officer positions, improved shoulder harness accessibility, increased interior volume and a 45% reduction in in-cab noise levels when traveling at 45 mph.

Emergency Response Vehicles
 
We engineer and manufacture emergency response vehicles and apparatus utilizing custom and commercial chassis through our Spartan USA subsidiary. We market these products through a network of dealers throughout North America, and in select markets in South America and Asia under the Spartan ERV brand and, beginning in 2017 under the Smeal, Ladder Tower Company and U.S. Tanker brands. Our product lines include pumpers and aerial fire apparatus, heavy- and light-duty rescue units, tankers and quick attack units. We are recognized in the industry for our innovative design and engineering, with signature features such as Tubular Stainless Steel body structure (known as the Tri-Max TM  body frame), Vibra-Torq TM mounting system, and Smart Access pump panels that are designed to offer the safety, reliability and durability that firefighters need to get the job done.
 
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Aerial Ladders
 
We engineer, manufacture and market aerial ladder components for fire trucks under the Spartan ERV brand and, beginning in 2017 through our Smeal and Ladder Tower Company brands. Our aerial products are produced through our Spartan USA operations in Snyder, Nebraska and Ephrata, Pennsylvania, which have developed a full line of aerial products.
 
Aftermarket Parts and Accessories
 
The aftermarket parts and accessories operation of Spartan USA supplies aftermarket repair parts and accessories along with limited servicing and refurbishment for our products in the emergency response vehicles market.

Fleet Vehicles and ServicesSegment
 
We manufacture fleet vehicles used in the parcel delivery, mobile retail, and trades and construction industries through our Bristol, Indiana operations. Our fleet vehicles are marketed under the Utilimaster brand name, which serves a diverse customer base and also sells aftermarket parts and accessories and customer specific up-fit equipment for walk-in vans and other delivery vehicles. Sales from our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment represented 47.1%, 41.4% and 41.5% of our consolidated sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment employed 920 associates at our Bristol, Indiana facility, as of January 31, 2017, of which 78 were contracted employees.
 
Our Fleet Vehicles and Services sales and distribution efforts are designed to sell to national, fleet and commercial dealer accounts within these niches under the Aeromaster®, Trademaster®, Metromaster® and Utilivan® brand names. We market our fleet vehicles throughout the U.S. and Canada.
 
The principal types of commercial vehicles we manufacture are walk-in vans, cutaway vans and truck bodies. Walk-in vans are assembled on a “stripped” truck chassis supplied with engine and drive train components, but without a cab. Walk-in vans are sold under the Aeromaster® brand, and are typically used in multi-stop applications that include the delivery of packages, the distribution of food products and the delivery of uniforms/linens. Cutaway vans are installed on “cutaway” van chassis, and are sold under the Utilimaster, Utilivan®, Metromaster® and Trademaster® brand names. Cutaway bodies are primarily used for local delivery of parcels, freight and perishable food. Truck bodies are installed on a chassis that is supplied with a finished cab. Our truck bodies are typically fabricated with pre-painted panels, aerodynamic front and side corners, hardwood floors and various door configurations to accommodate end-user loading and unloading requirements. Our truck bodies are sold under the Utilimaster brand name and are used for diversified dry freight transportation. In addition to vehicles, our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment sells aftermarket parts and accessories for its walk-in vans and truck bodies and sells and installs up-fit equipment for walk-in vans and other delivery vehicles. In the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, interior equipment up fitting and aftermarket parts sales represented 25.9%, 14.9% and 10.2% of the Fleet Vehicles and Services segment sales.

Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment
 
Our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment consists of our Charlotte, Michigan operations that engineer and manufacture motor home chassis, defense vehicles and other specialty chassis and distribute related aftermarket parts and accessories. Our specialty vehicle products are manufactured to customer specifications upon receipt of confirmed purchase orders. As a specialty chassis and vehicle manufacturer, we believe we hold a unique position for continued growth due to the high quality and performance of our products, our engineering reaction time, manufacturing expertise and flexibility. Our specialty vehicle products are generally sold through original equipment manufacturers in the case of chassis and vehicles and to dealer distributors or directly to consumers for aftermarket parts and accessories. Sales from our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment represented 21.9%, 23.5% and 21.0% of our consolidated sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment employed 323 associates (all in Charlotte, Michigan) as of January 31, 2017, of which 37 were contracted employees.
 
Motor Home Chassis
 
We custom manufacture chassis to the individual specifications of our motor home original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) customers through our Spartan USA subsidiary. These specifications vary based on specific interior and exterior design specifications, power requirements, horsepower and electrical needs of the motor home bodies to be attached to the Spartan chassis. Spartan USA’s motor home chassis are separated into four models: the “K1”, “K2”, “K3”, and “K4” series chassis.
 
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Versions of these four basic product models are designed and engineered in order to meet customer requirements. This allows the chassis to be adapted to the specific floor plan and manufacturing process used by the OEM. We seek to develop innovative engineering solutions to meet our customer’s requirements and strive to anticipate future market needs by working closely with OEMs and listening to end users. We monitor the availability of new technology and work closely with our component manufacturers to apply new technology to our products. Over the past few years we have introduced new innovations, including: the Spartan Advanced Protection System, the industry's first comprehensive safety system which brings automotive grade safety features to the Class A RV market; the Spartan Mobile Gateway, which allows Spartan chassis the ability to maintain redundant cell network connections or satellite connectivity; Spartan Connected Care, which provides owners of RVs built on Spartan chassis with instant access to coach-specific diagnostic codes, maintenance schedules, and an interactive map to pinpoint which of Spartan’s more than 250 RV-specific authorized service centers is closest; electronic steering control; heavy duty air ride independent front suspension; and multiplexed electrical controls.    
 
Specialty Vehicle Chassis
 
Through our Spartan USA subsidiary, we develop specialized chassis to unique customer requirements and actively seek additional applications of our existing products and technology in the specialty vehicle market. Over the past few years we have expanded into highly customized niche markets for specialty vehicle chassis, including high power/high capability drill rigs, specialty bus applications and assembly of the Isuzu N-Series Gasoline Cab-Forward Trucks, a direct result of our alliance with Isuzu Commercial Truck of America.
 
Aftermarket Parts and Accessories
 
The aftermarket parts and accessories operation of Spartan USA supplies aftermarket repair parts and sub-assemblies along with limited servicing and refurbishment for our products in the defense and motor home markets.

Marketing
 
We market our specialty vehicles, including custom emergency response chassis, emergency response bodies and other specialty vehicles, throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as select markets in South America and Asia, primarily through the direct contact of our sales department with OEMs, dealers and end users. We utilize dealer organizations that establish close working relationships through their sales departments with end users. These personal contacts focus on the quality of the group’s specialty products and allow us to keep customers updated on new and improved product lines and end users’ needs.
 
We sell delivery vehicles, including walk-in vans, cutaway vans and truck bodies, to commercial vehicle dealers, leasing companies and directly to end-users. We also market our delivery vehicles directly to several national and fleet accounts (national accounts typically have 1,000+ vehicle fleets and fleet accounts typically have 100+ vehicle fleets), and through a network of independent truck dealers in the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, in Canada. We provide aftermarket support, including parts sales and field service, to all of our delivery vehicle customers through our Customer Service Department located in Bristol, Indiana, which maintains the only online parts resource among the major delivery vehicle manufacturers. Except in limited circumstances, we do not provide financing to dealers, fleet or national accounts. We also maintain multi-year supply agreements with certain key fleet customers in the parcel and linen/uniform rental industries.
 
In 2016 and consistent with prior years, our representatives attended trade shows, rallies and expositions throughout North America as well as Europe and Asia to promote our products. Trade shows provide the opportunity to display products and to meet directly with OEMs who purchase chassis, dealers who sell finished vehicles and consumers who buy the finished products. Participation in these events also allows us to better identify what customers and end users are looking for in the future. We use these events to create a competitive advantage by relaying this information back to our advanced product development team for future projects.
 
Our sales and marketing team is responsible for promoting and selling our manufactured goods and producing product literature. The sales group consists of approximately 40 salespeople based in Company locations in Charlotte, Michigan; Brandon, South Dakota; Ephrata, Pennsylvania; and Bristol, Indiana, with additional salespeople located throughout North America.
 
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Competition
 
The principal methods we use to build competitive advantages include short engineering reaction time, custom design capability, high product quality, superior customer service and quick delivery. We compete with companies that manufacture for similar markets, including some divisions of large diversified organizations that have total sales and financial resources exceeding ours. Certain competitors are vertically integrated and manufacture their own chassis and/or apparatuses, although they generally do not sell their chassis to outside customers (other OEMs). Our direct competitors in the emergency vehicle apparatus market are principally smaller manufacturers. Our competition in the delivery vehicle market comes from a small number of manufacturers.
 
Because of the lack of reliable published statistics, we are unable to state with certainty our position in most of our markets compared to our competitors. The emergency vehicle market and, to a lesser degree, the custom chassis market are fragmented. We believe that no one company has a dominant position in either of those markets. We are a leading manufacturer of walk-in vans in the United States, and believe we have a market share of approximately 50% in this market. The cutaway and truck body markets are highly fragmented, making the determination of our market share difficult. However, we believe we are one of the top five manufacturers of these products in the United States.

Manufacturing
 
Through December 31, 2016, we manufactured our products in four locations in Charlotte, Michigan; Bristol, Indiana; Brandon, South Dakota; and Ephrata, Pennsylvania. On January 1, 2017 we completed our acquisition of Smeal, which includes manufacturing locations in Snyder and Neligh, Nebraska, Delavan, Wisconsin and Ephrata, Pennsylvania.
 
At our Charlotte, Michigan location, we manufacture custom emergency response chassis, emergency response vehicles, motor home and other specialty chassis and assemble Isuzu N-Series gasoline cab-forward trucks for Isuzu and General Motors Corp. With the exception of the Isuzu N-Series trucks, our products are assembled on non-automated assembly lines owing to the custom nature of the products. Generally, we design, engineer and assemble our specialized heavy-duty truck chassis using primarily commercially available components purchased from outside suppliers. This approach facilitates prompt serviceability of finished products, reduces production costs, expedites the development of new products and reduces the potential of costly down time for the end user.
 
At our Bristol, Indiana location, we manufacture walk-in vans, truck bodies and cutaway vans on an assembly line utilizing a commercial truck chassis and engineered structural components, such as floors, roofs, and wall panels. After assembly, we install optional equipment and finishes based on customer specifications.
 
At our Brandon, South Dakota, Snyder and Neligh, Nebraska and Delavan, Wisconsin locations, we manufacture emergency response vehicles, utilizing either a Spartan chassis sourced from our Charlotte, Michigan facility or a custom or commercial chassis sourced from another manufacturer. At our Ephrata, Pennsylvania locations, we manufacture aerial ladder structures that are assembled on a Spartan or other manufacturer’s custom chassis. These facilities do not use automated assembly lines since each vehicle is manufactured to meet specifications of an end user-customized order. The chassis is rolled down the production line as other components are added and connected. The body is manufactured at the facility with components such as pumps, tanks, and electrical control units purchased from outside suppliers.

Suppliers
 
We are dedicated to establishing long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with our suppliers. Through these relationships, we benefit from new innovations, higher quality, reduced lead times, smoother/faster manufacturing ramp-up of new vehicle introductions and lower total costs of doing business. The combined buying power of our subsidiaries and a corporate supply chain management initiative allow us to benefit from economies of scale and to focus on a common vision.
 
The single largest commodity directly utilized in production is aluminum, which we purchase under purchase agreements based on forecasted production requirements. To a lesser extent we are dependent upon suppliers of lumber, fiberglass and steel for our manufacturing. We have no significant long-term material supply contracts. There are several readily available sources for the majority of these raw materials. However, we are heavily dependent on specific component part products from a few single source vendors. We maintain a qualification, on-site inspection, assistance, and performance measurement system to control risks associated with reliance on suppliers. We normally do not carry inventories of such raw materials or components in excess of those reasonably required to meet production and shipping schedules. Material and component cost increases are passed on to our customers whenever possible. However, there can be no assurance that there will not be any supply issues over the long-term.
 
In the assembly of delivery vehicles, we use chassis supplied by third parties, and generally do not purchase these chassis for inventory. For this market, we typically accept shipment of truck chassis owned by dealers or end users, for the purpose of installing and/or manufacturing our specialized commercial vehicles on such chassis. In the event of a labor disruption or other uncontrollable event adversely affecting the limited number of companies that manufacture and/or deliver such commercial truck chassis, our level of manufacturing could be substantially reduced.
 
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Research and Development
Our success depends on our ability to respond quickly to changing market demands and new regulatory requirements. Thus, we emphasize research and development and commit significant resources to develop and adapt new products and production techniques. We dedicate a portion of our facilities to research and development projects and focus on implementing the latest technology from component manufacturers into existing products and manufacturing prototypes of new product lines. We spent $6.8 million, $4.6 million and $3.9 million on research and development in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Beginning in 2015, certain engineering costs related to routine product changes that were formerly classified within Research and development expense have been classified within Cost of products sold on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in order to more consistently align the results of our individual business units. Expenses of $7.8 million for 2014 have been reclassified accordingly.

Product Warranties
 
We provide limited warranties against assembly and construction defects. These warranties generally provide for the replacement or repair of defective parts or workmanship for specified periods, ranging from one year to the life of the product, following the date of sale. The end users also may receive limited warranties from suppliers of components that are incorporated into our chassis and vehicles. For more information concerning our product warranties, see Note 10,  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities , of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in this Form 10-K.

Patents, Trademarks and Licenses
 
We have 24 United States patents (provisional and regular), which include rights to the design and structure of chassis and certain peripheral equipment, and have 13 pending patent applications in the United States. The existing patents will expire on various dates from 2018 through 2033 and all are subject to payment of required maintenance fees. We also own 31 United States trademark and service mark registrations. The trademark and service mark registrations are generally renewable under applicable laws, subject to payment of required fees and the filing of affidavits of use. In addition, we have various international trademark applications pending.
 
We believe our products are identified by our trademarks and that our trademarks are valuable assets to all of our business segments. We are not aware of any infringing uses or any prior claims of ownership of our trademarks that could materially affect our business. It is our policy to pursue registration of our primary marks whenever possible and to vigorously defend our patents, trademarks and other proprietary marks against infringement or other threats to the greatest extent practicable under applicable laws.

Environmental Matters
 
Compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations has not had, nor is it expected to have, a material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

Associates
 
We employed approximately 2,340 associates as of January 31, 2017, substantially all of which are full-time, including 119 contracted associates. Management presently considers its relations with associates to be positive.
 
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Customer Base 
In 2016, our customer base included one major customer as defined by sales of more than 10% of total net sales. Sales to Jayco, Inc. in 2016, which is a customer of our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment, were $71.0 million.
 
In 2015, our customer base included one major customer as defined by sales of more than 10% of total net sales. Sales to Jayco, Inc. in 2015, which is a customer of our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment, were $78.8 million.
 
In 2014, our customer base included one major customer as defined by sales of more than 10% of total net sales. Sales to Jayco, Inc. in 2014, which is a customer of our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment, were $57.1 million.
 
Sales to customers classified as major amounted to 12.0%, 14.3% and 11.3% of total revenues in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We do have other significant customers which, if the relationship changes significantly, could have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. We believe that we have developed strong relationships with our customers and continually work to develop new customers and markets. See related risk factors in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.
 
Sales to customers outside the United States were $31.7 million, $40.1 million and $55.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, or 5.4%, 7.3% and 11.0%, respectively, of sales for those years. All of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.

Order Backlog
Our order backlog by reportable segment is summarized in the following table (in thousands).
 
 	 	December 31,
2016	 	 	December 31,
2015	 	
Emergency Response Vehicles	 	$	139,870	 	 	$	156,270	 	
Fleet Vehicles and Services	 	 	89,549	 	 	 	96,120	 	
Specialty Chassis and Vehicles	 	 	20,037	 	 	 	18,369	 	
Total consolidated	 	$	249,456	 	 	$	270,759	 	
 
The decrease in our Emergency Response Vehicles backlog was driven by a reduction in order intake resulting from a more selective bid process established in 2016 as part of our turnaround strategy. The decrease in Fleet Vehicles and Services backlog was driven by a $25.5 million decrease in equipment up-fit orders, which was partially offset by an $18.9 million increase in vehicle orders. The increase in Specialty Chassis and Vehicles backlog was driven by an increase in orders for motor home chassis as a result of new model introductions and pricing adjustments enacted in 2016.
 
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 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.

Available Information
 
Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports (and amendments thereto) filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act are available, free of charge, on our internet website ( www.SpartanMotors.com ) as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
The public may read and copy materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet website  (www.sec.gov ) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
 
9

 
 	 	
Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	
 
Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are subject to various risks, many of which are not exclusively within our control, that may cause actual performance to differ materially from historical or projected future performance. The risks described below are the risks known to us that we believe could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. However, these risks may not be the only risks we face. Our business could also be affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us, factors we currently consider to be immaterial to our operations, or factors that emerge as new risks in the future.

We depend on local and municipal governments for a substantial portion of our business.
 
Local and municipal governments are the end customer for a substantial proportion of our products, including custom fire truck chassis, fire truck bodies, aerial ladders and other fire truck related apparatus. These markets are heavily impacted by municipal capital spending budgets, which may be impacted by fluctuating municipal tax revenues. These budgetary constraints may have a significant adverse effect on the overall fire and emergency vehicle market and/or cause a shift in the fire and emergency vehicle market away from highly customized products toward commercially produced vehicles. These changes could result in weakened demand for our products, which may have an adverse impact on our net sales, financial condition, profitability and/or cash flows.

The integration of businesses or assets we have acquired or may acquire in the future involves challenges that could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition.
 
As part of our growth strategy, we have pursued and expect we will continue to selectively pursue, acquisitions of businesses or assets in order to diversify, expand our capabilities, enter new markets, or increase our market share. Integrating any newly acquired business or assets can be expensive and can require a great deal of management time and other resources. If we are unable to successfully integrate the newly acquired businesses with our existing business, we may not realize the synergies we expect from the acquisition and our business and results of operations may be adversely impacted.

Re-configuration or relocation of our production operations could negatively impact our earnings.
 
We may, from time to time, re-configure our production lines or relocate production of products between buildings or locations or to new locations in order to maximize the efficient utilization of our existing production capacity or take advantage of opportunities to increase manufacturing efficiencies. Costs incurred to effect these re-configurations or re-locations may exceed our estimate, and efficiencies gained may be less than anticipated, each of which may have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial position.

Disruptions within our dealer network could adversely affect our business.
 
We rely, for certain of our products, on a network of independent dealers to market, deliver, provide training for, and service our products to and for customers. Our business is influenced by our ability to initiate and manage new and existing relationships with dealers.
 
From time to time, we or an individual dealer may choose to terminate the relationship, or the dealership could face financial difficulty leading to failure or difficulty in transitioning to new ownership. In addition, our competitors could engage in a strategy to attempt to acquire or convert our dealers to carry their products. We do not believe our business is dependent on any single dealer, the loss of which would have a sustained material adverse effect upon our business.
 
However, disruption of dealer coverage within a specific local market could have an adverse impact on our business within the affected market. The loss or termination of a significant number of dealers could cause difficulties in marketing and distributing our products and have an adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. In the event that a dealer in a strategic market experiences financial difficulty, we may choose to provide financial support, such as extending credit, to a dealership, reducing the risk of disruption, but increasing our financial exposure.
 
10

 
 
We may not be able to successfully implement and manage our growth strategy.
 
Our growth strategy includes expanding existing market share through product innovation, continued expansion into industrial and global markets, and merger or acquisition related activities.
 
We believe our future success depends in part on our research and development and engineering efforts, our ability to manufacture or source the products and customer acceptance of our products. As it relates to new markets, our success also depends on our ability to create and implement local supply chain, sales and distribution strategies to reach these markets.
 
The potential inability to successfully implement and manage our growth strategy could adversely affect our business and our results of operations. The successful implementation of our growth strategy will depend, in part, on our ability to integrate operations with acquired companies.
 
Our efforts to grow our business in emerging markets are subject to all of these risks plus additional, unique risks. In certain markets, the legal and political environment can be unstable and uncertain which could make it difficult for us to compete successfully and could expose us to liabilities.
 
We also make investments in new business development initiatives which, like many startups, could have a relatively high failure rate. We limit our investments in these initiatives and establish governance procedures to contain the associated risks, but losses could result and may be material. Our growth strategy also may involve acquisitions, joint venture alliances and additional arrangements of distribution. We may not be able to enter into acquisitions or joint venture arrangements on acceptable terms, and we may not successfully integrate these activities into our operations. We also may not be successful in implementing new distribution channels, and changes could create discord in our existing channels of distribution.

When we introduce new products, we may incur expenses that we did not anticipate, such as recall expenses, resulting in reduced earnings.
 
The introduction of new products is critical to our future success. We have additional costs when we introduce new products, such as initial labor or purchasing inefficiencies, but we may also incur unexpected expenses. For example, we may experience unexpected engineering or design issues that will force a recall of a new product or increase production costs of the product above levels needed to ensure profitability. In addition, we may make business decisions that include offering incentives to stimulate the sales of products not adequately accepted by the market, or to stimulate sales of older or less marketable products. The costs resulting from these types of problems could be substantial and have a significant adverse effect on our earnings.

Any negative change in our relationship with our major customers could have significant adverse effects on revenues and profits.
 
Our financial success is directly related to the willingness of our customers to continue to purchase our products. Failure to fill customers’ orders in a timely manner or on the terms and conditions they may impose could harm our relationships with our customers. The importance of maintaining excellent relationships with our major customers may also give these customers leverage in our negotiations with them, including pricing and other supply terms, as well as post-sale disputes. This leverage may lead to increased costs to us or decreased margins. Furthermore, if any of our major customers experience a significant downturn in their business, or fail to remain committed to our products or brands, then these customers may reduce or discontinue purchases from us, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We had two customers that together accounted for approximately 20% of our total sales in 2016. Any negative change in our relationship with either of them, or the orders placed by either of them, could significantly affect our revenues and profits.
 
11

 
 
We depend on a small group of suppliers for some of our components, and the loss of any of these suppliers could affect our ability to obtain components at competitive prices, which would decrease our sales or earnings.
 
Most chassis, emergency response vehicle, aerial ladder and specialty vehicle commodity components are readily available from a variety of sources. However, a few proprietary or specialty components are produced by a small group of suppliers.
 
In addition, we generally do not purchase chassis for our delivery vehicles. Rather, we accept shipments of vehicle chassis owned by dealers or end-users for the purpose of installing and/or manufacturing our specialized truck bodies on such chassis. There are four primary sources for commercial chassis and we have established relationships with all major chassis manufacturers.
 
Changes in our relationships with these suppliers, shortages, production delays or work stoppages by the employees of such suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our ability to timely manufacture our products and secure sales. If we cannot obtain an adequate supply of components or commercial chassis, this could result in a decrease in our sales and earnings.

Disruption of our supply base could affect our ability to obtain component parts.
 
We increasingly rely on component parts from global sources in order to manufacture our products. Disruption of this supply base due to international political events or natural disasters could affect our ability to obtain component parts at acceptable prices, or at all, and have a negative impact on our sales, results of operations and financial position.

Changes to laws and regulations governing our business could have a material impact on our operations.
 
Our manufactured products and the industries in which we operate are subject to extensive federal and state regulations. Changes to any of these regulations or the implementation of new regulations could significantly increase the costs of manufacturing, purchasing, operating or selling our products and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our failure to comply with present or future regulations could result in fines, potential civil and criminal liability, suspension of sales or production, or cessation of operations.
 
Certain U.S. tax laws currently afford favorable tax treatment for the purchase and sale of recreational vehicles that are used as the equivalent of second homes. These laws and regulations have historically been amended frequently, and it is likely that further amendments and additional regulations will be applicable to us and our products in the future. Amendments to these laws and regulations and the implementation of new regulations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
Our operations are subject to a variety of federal and state environmental regulations relating to noise pollution and the use, generation, storage, treatment, emission and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes. Although we believe that we are currently in material compliance with applicable environmental regulations, our failure to comply with present or future regulations could result in fines, potential civil and criminal liability, suspension of production or operations, alterations to the manufacturing process, costly cleanup or capital expenditures.

12

 
Our businesses are cyclical and this can lead to fluctuations in our operating results.
The industries in which we operate are highly cyclical and there can be substantial fluctuations in our manufacturing, shipments and operating results, and the results for any prior period may not be indicative of results for any future period. Companies within these industries are subject to volatility in operating results due to external factors such as economic, demographic and political changes. Factors affecting the manufacture of chassis, emergency response vehicles, aerial ladders, specialty vehicles, delivery vehicles and other of our products include but are not limited to:
 
 	●	Commodity prices;	
 	●	Fuel availability and prices.	
 	●	Federal, state and municipal budgets;	
 	●	Unemployment trends;	
 	●	International tensions and hostilities;	
 	●	General economic conditions;	
 	●	Various tax incentives;	
 	●	Strength of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies;	
 	●	Overall consumer confidence and the level of discretionary consumer spending;	
 	●	Dealers’ and manufacturers’ inventory levels; and	
 	●	Interest rates and the availability of financing.	

Economic, legal and other factors could impact our customers’ ability to pay accounts receivable balances due from them.
 
In the ordinary course of business, customers are granted terms related to the sale of goods and services delivered to them. These terms typically include a period of time between when the goods and services are tendered for delivery to the customer and when the customer needs to pay for these goods and services. The amounts due under these payment terms are listed as accounts receivable on our balance sheet. Prior to collection of these accounts receivable, our customers could encounter drops in sales, unexpected increases in expenses, or other factors which could impact their ability to continue as a going concern and which could affect the collectability of these amounts. Writing off uncollectible accounts receivable could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flow as the Company has major customers with material accounts receivable balances at any given time.

Our business operations could be disrupted if our information technology systems fail to perform adequately or experience a security breach
 
We rely on our information technology systems to effectively manage our business data, communications, supply chain, product engineering, manufacturing, accounting and other business processes. While we believe we have robust processes in place to protect our information technology systems, if these systems are damaged, cease to function properly or are subject to a cyber-security breach such as infection with viruses or intentional attacks aimed at theft or destruction of sensitive data, we may suffer an interruption in our ability to manage and operate the business, and our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

Implementing a new enterprise resource planning system could interfere with our business or operations.
 
We are in the process of implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Phase 1 of this implementation is expected to be completed in 2017, with the second phase expected to be completed in 2018. This project requires significant investment of capital and human resources, the re-engineering of many processes of our business, and the attention of many associates and managers who would otherwise be focused on other aspects of our business. Should the system not be implemented successfully, we may incur impairment charges that could materially impact our financial results. If the system does not perform in a satisfactory manner once implementation is complete, our business and operations could be disrupted and our results of operations negatively affected, including our ability to report accurate and timely financial results.

Global political conditions could have a negative effect on our business.
 
Concerns regarding acts of terrorism, armed conflicts, natural disasters and budget shortfalls have created significant global economic and political uncertainties that may have material and adverse effects on consumer demand (particularly the specialty and motor home markets), shipping and transportation, the availability of manufacturing components, commodity prices and our ability to engage in overseas markets.
 
13

 
 
Risks associated with international sales and contracts could have a negative effect on our business.
 
In 2016, 2015 and 2014 we derived 5.4%, 7.3% and 11.0% of our revenue from sales to, or related to, end customers outside the United States. We expect that international sales will continue to account for a meaningful amount of our total revenue, especially in our emergency response vehicles segment. Accordingly we face numerous risks associated with conducting international operations, any of which could negatively affect our financial performance, including changes in foreign country regulatory requirements, the strength of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies, import/export restrictions, the imposition of foreign tariffs and other trade barriers and disruptions in the shipping of exported products.
 
Additionally, as a U.S. corporation, we are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage to foreign companies that are not subject to similar regulations.

Fuel shortages, or higher prices for fuel, could have a negative effect on sales.
 
Gasoline or diesel fuel is required for the operation of the specialty vehicles we manufacture. There can be no assurance that the supply of these petroleum products will continue uninterrupted, that rationing will not be imposed or that the price of or tax on these petroleum products will not significantly increase in the future. Increases in gasoline and diesel prices and speculation about potential fuel shortages have had an unfavorable effect on consumer demand for motor homes from time to time in the past and may continue to do so in the future. This, in turn, may have a material adverse effect on our sales volume. Increases in the price of oil also can result in significant increases in the price of many of the components in our products, which may have an adverse impact on margins or sales volumes.

Our operating results may fluctuate significantly on a quarter-to-quarter basis.
 
Our quarterly operating results depend on a variety of factors including the timing and volume of orders, the completion of product inspections and acceptance by our customers, and various restructuring initiatives that may be undertaken from time to time. In addition, our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment experiences seasonality whereby product shipments in the first and fourth quarters are generally lower than other quarters as a result of the busy holiday delivery operations experienced by some of its largest customers. Accordingly, our financial results may be subject to significant and/or unanticipated quarter-to-quarter fluctuations.

We could incur asset impairment charges for goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets.
 
We have a significant amount of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. At least annually, we review goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets for impairment. Identifiable intangible assets, goodwill and other long-lived assets are also reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable from future cash flows. In 2016 and 2015 we recorded asset impairment charges totaling $0.4 and $2.2 million against an asset group related to certain locations of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment. If the operating performance at one or more of our reporting units fails to meet future forecasts, or if future cash flow estimates decline, we could be required, under current U.S. accounting rules, to record additional impairment charges for our goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets. Any write-off of a material portion of such assets could negatively affect our results of operations or financial position.

Our stock price has been and may continue to be volatile, which may result in losses to our shareholders.
 
The market price of the Company’s common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to, among other things, quarterly fluctuations in operating results, a failure to meet published estimates of or changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts, sales of common stock by existing holders, loss of key personnel, market conditions in our industries, shortages of key product inventory components and general economic conditions.
 
14

 
 
If there is a rise in the frequency and size of product liability, warranty and other claims against us, including wrongful death claims, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed.
 
We are frequently subject, in the ordinary course of business, to litigation involving product liability and other claims, including wrongful death claims, related to personal injury and warranties. We partially self-insure our product liability claims and purchase excess product liability insurance in the commercial insurance market. We cannot be certain that our insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover all future claims against us. Any increase in the frequency and size of these claims, as compared to our experience in prior years, may cause the premiums that we are required to pay for such insurance to rise significantly. It may also increase the amounts we pay in punitive damages, which may not be covered by our insurance. In addition, a major product recall or increased levels of warranty claims could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
In 2015 we entered into a settlement agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) pertaining to our early warning and defect reporting. The terms of the agreement include certain performance obligations that, if not completed satisfactorily, could subject us to additional fines of up to $5 million.

Increased costs, including costs of raw materials, component parts and labor costs, potentially impacted by changes in labor rates and practices, could reduce our operating income.
 
Our results of operations may be significantly affected by the availability and pricing of manufacturing components and labor, as well as changes in labor rates and practices. Increases in costs of raw materials used in our products could affect the cost of our supply materials and components, as rising steel and aluminum prices have impacted the cost of certain of our manufacturing components. Although we attempt to mitigate the effect of any escalation in components and labor costs by negotiating with current or new suppliers and by increasing productivity or, where necessary, by increasing the sales prices of our products, we cannot be certain that we will be able to do so without it having an adverse impact on the competitiveness of our products and, therefore, our sales volume. If we cannot successfully offset increases in our manufacturing costs, this could have a material adverse impact on our margins, operating income and cash flows. Our profit margins may decrease if prices of purchased component parts or labor rates increase and we are unable to pass on those increases to our customers. Even if we were able to offset higher manufacturing costs by increasing the sales prices of our products, the realization of any such increases often lags behind the rise in manufacturing costs, especially in our operations, due in part to our commitment to give our customers and dealers price protection with respect to previously placed customer orders.

Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments.	
 
None.
 
15

 
 
Item 2.	Properties.	
 
The following table sets forth information concerning the properties we own or lease. We consider our properties to generally be in good condition, well maintained, and suitable and adequate to meet our business requirements for the foreseeable future. In 2016, our manufacturing plants, taken as a whole, operated moderately below capacity.

 	 	Square Footage	 	Owned/Leased	 	Operating Segment	
 Manufacturing/Assembly	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	156,000	 	Owned	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	181,000	 	Owned	 	Specialty Chassis and Vehicles	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	110,000	 	Owned	 	Fleet Vehicles and Services	
Brandon, South Dakota	 	24,000	 	Owned	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Brandon, South Dakota	 	21,000	 	Leased	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Ephrata, Pennsylvania	 	45,000	 	Leased	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Bristol, Indiana	 	417,000	 	Leased	 	Fleet Vehicles and Services	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	954,000	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Warehousing	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	11,000	 	Owned	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	74,000	 	Owned	 	Specialty Chassis and Vehicles 	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	25,000	 	Owned	 	Fleet Vehicles and Services	
Brandon, South Dakota	 	1,000	 	Owned	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Brandon, South Dakota	 	10,200	 	Leased	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Ephrata, Pennsylvania	 	4,500	 	Leased	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Bristol, Indiana	 	35,000	 	Leased	 	Fleet Vehicles and Services	
 	 	160,700	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Research and Development 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	12,000	 	Owned	 	Emergency Response/Specialty Chassis and Vehicles	
Bristol, Indiana	 	3,000	 	Leased	 	Fleet Vehicles and Services	
 	 	15,000	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Service Area/Inspection	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	53,000	 	Owned	 	Emergency Response/Specialty Chassis and Vehicles	
Brandon, South Dakota	 	7,000	 	Leased	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
 	 	60,000	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Offices	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Corporate Offices - Charlotte, Michigan	 	12,000	 	Owned	 	Not Applicable	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	127,000	 	Owned	 	Emergency Response/Specialty Chassis and Vehicles	
Brandon, South Dakota	 	7,000	 	Owned	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Brandon, South Dakota	 	3,000	 	Leased	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Ephrata, Pennsylvania	 	12,500	 	Leased	 	Emergency Response Vehicles	
Bristol, Indiana	 	36,000	 	Leased	 	Fleet Vehicles and Services	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	197,500	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Unutilized	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Charlotte, Michigan	 	48,000	 	Owned	 	Not Applicable	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total square footage	 	1,435,200	 	 	 	 	
 
16

 
 
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings.	
 
At December 31, 2016, we were parties, both as plaintiff or defendant, to a number of lawsuits and claims arising out of the normal conduct of our businesses. Our management does not currently expect our financial position, future operating results or cash flows to be materially affected by the final outcome of these legal proceedings.

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures.	
 
Not applicable
 
PART II
 
Item 5.	Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities .	
 
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SPAR.”
 
The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices for our common stock for the periods indicated, all as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market:
 
 	 	High	 	 	Low	 	
Year Ended December 31, 2016:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Fourth Quarter	 	$	10.50	 	 	$	7.20	 	
Third Quarter	 	 	9.95	 	 	 	6.16	 	
Second Quarter	 	 	6.50	 	 	 	3.95	 	
First Quarter	 	 	4.12	 	 	 	2.61	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year Ended December 31, 2015:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Fourth Quarter	 	$	4.58	 	 	$	3.11	 	
Third Quarter	 	 	4.92	 	 	 	3.98	 	
Second Quarter	 	 	5.07	 	 	 	4.24	 	
First Quarter	 	 	5.57	 	 	 	4.67	 	
 
On November 2, 2016 our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on December 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2016.
 
On April 28, 2016 our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on June 23, 2016 to shareholders of record on May 19, 2016.
 
On October 26, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on December 17, 2015 to shareholders of record on November 12, 2015.
 
On May 8, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on June 25, 2015 to shareholders of record on May 21, 2015.
 
No assurance, however, can be given that any future distributions will be made or, if made, as to the amounts or timing of any future distributions as such distributions are subject to earnings, financial condition, liquidity, capital requirements, and such other factors as our Board of Directors deems relevant. The number of shareholders of record of our common stock on February 27, 2017 was 357. See Item 12 below for information concerning our equity compensation plans.
 
17

 
 
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return on the Nasdaq Composite Index, the Dow Jones U.S. Commercial Vehicles & Trucks index and a company-selected peer group for the period beginning on December 31, 2011 and ending on the last day of 2016. The graph assumes an investment of $100 in our stock, the Nasdaq Composite Index, the Dow Jones U.S. Commercial Vehicles & Trucks index and the company-selected peer group on December 31, 2011, and further assumes the reinvestment of all dividends. Stock price performance, presented for the period from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2016, is not necessarily indicative of future results.
 
The Dow Jones U.S. Commercial Vehicles & Trucks index was used for peer comparisons utilized in determining officer incentive compensation awards for 2016. The company-selected peer group was determined based on a custom peer group of companies in the specialty manufacturing and automotive industries, against whom we compete for sales or management talent, which was identified for the purpose of benchmarking officer salaries in 2014. The peer group includes: Drew Industries, Inc.; Standard Motor Products, Inc.; Winnebago Industries, Inc.; Federal Signal Corp.; Methode Electronics, Inc.; Shiloh Industries, Inc.; Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.; Altra Industrial Motion Corp.; Alamo Group, Inc.; ESCO Technologies, Inc.; Miller Industries, Inc.; Twin Disc, Inc.; and Supreme Industries, Inc.

 
 	 	12/31/2011	 	 	12/31/2012	 	 	12/31/2013	 	 	12/31/2014	 	 	12/31/2015	 	 	12/31/2016	 	
Spartan Motors, Inc.	 	$	100.00	 	 	$	104.42	 	 	$	144.58	 	 	$	115.63	 	 	$	69.96	 	 	$	211.15	 	
NASDAQ Stock Market	 	$	100.00	 	 	$	117.41	 	 	$	164.50	 	 	$	188.23	 	 	$	201.40	 	 	$	219.15	 	
Dow Jones U.S. Commercial Vehicles & Trucks Index	 	$	100.00	 	 	$	109.54	 	 	$	130.35	 	 	$	135.07	 	 	$	102.28	 	 	$	146.74	 	
Peer Group	 	$	100.00	 	 	$	124.50	 	 	$	202.87	 	 	$	196.65	 	 	$	189.81	 	 	$	280.59	 	

The stock price performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this annual report on Form 10-K into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference.
 
18

 
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On October 19, 2011, our Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase up to a total of 1.0 million shares of our common stock in open market transactions, contingent upon market conditions. During the second and third quarters of 2014, we repurchased a total of 382,000 shares of our common stock at an average price of $5.23 per share and during the second quarter of 2016, we repurchased a total of 422,000 shares of our common stock at an average price of $4.74 per share under this authorization. We did not repurchase any shares in 2015.
 
On April 28, 2016, our Board of Directors terminated the 2011 repurchase authorization effective June 30, 2016, and authorized the repurchase of up to 1.0 million additional shares of our common stock in open market transactions. At December 31, 2016 there were 1.0 million shares remaining under this repurchase authorization. If we were to repurchase the remaining 1.0 million shares of stock under the repurchase program, it would cost us $7.1 million based on the closing price of our stock on February 27, 2017. We believe that we have sufficient resources to fund any potential stock buyback in which we may engage.
 
A summary of our purchases of our common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016 is as follows:
 
Period	 	Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased	 	 	
Average
Price Paid
per Share	 	 	Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs	 	 	Number of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs	 	
Oct. 1, 2016 to Oct. 31, 2016	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,000,000	 	
Nov. 1, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2016	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,000,000	 	
Dec. 1, 2016 to Dec. 31, 2016	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,000,000	 	
Total	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,000,000	 	
 
19

 
 
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data.	
 
The selected financial data shown below for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2016 has been derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements. The following data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this Form 10-K.
 
Five-Year Operating and Financial Summary	
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)	
 
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	 	2013	 	 	2012	 	

Sales	 	$	590,777	 	 	$	550,414	 	 	$	506,764	 	 	$	469,538	 	 	$	470,577	 	
Cost of products sold (1)	 	 	518,113	 	 	 	502,783	 	 	 	450,702	 	 	 	424,312	 	 	 	412,899	 	
Restructuring charges	 	 	136	 	 	 	519	 	 	 	808	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	6,514	 	
Gross profit	 	 	72,528	 	 	 	47,112	 	 	 	55,254	 	 	 	45,226	 	 	 	51,164	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Research and development	 	 	6,772	 	 	 	4,560	 	 	 	3,851	 	 	 	3,074	 	 	 	5,429	 	
Selling, general and administrative	 	 	56,172	 	 	 	52,695	 	 	 	51,205	 	 	 	45,496	 	 	 	45,707	 	
Goodwill impairment	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	4,854	 	 	 	-	 	
Restructuring charges	 	 	959	 	 	 	2,336	 	 	 	1,349	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	2,619	 	
Operating income (loss)	 	 	8,625	 	 	 	(12,479	)	 	 	(1,151	)	 	 	(8,198	)	 	 	(2,591	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense), net	 	 	78	 	 	 	(121	)	 	 	77	 	 	 	348	 	 	 	234	 	
Income (loss) before taxes	 	 	8,703	 	 	 	(12,600	)	 	 	(1,074	)	 	 	(7,850	)	 	 	(2,357	)	
Income tax expense (benefit)	 	 	100	 	 	 	4,880	 	 	 	(2,103	)	 	 	(1,881	)	 	 	100	 	
Net earnings (loss)	 	 	8,603	 	 	 	(17,480	)	 	 	1,029	 	 	 	(5,969	)	 	 	(2,457	)	
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	 	 	(7	)	 	 	(508	)	 	 	(144	)	 	 	2	 	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors, Inc.	 	$	8,610	 	 	$	(16,972	)	 	$	1,173	 	 	$	(5,971	)	 	$	(2,457	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic earnings (loss) per share	 	$	0.25	 	 	$	(0.50	)	 	$	0.03	 	 	$	(0.18	)	 	$	(0.07	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	 	$	0.25	 	 	$	(0.50	)	 	$	0.03	 	 	$	(0.18	)	 	$	( 0.07	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash dividends per common share	 	$	0.10	 	 	$	0.10	 	 	$	0.10	 	 	$	0.10	 	 	$	0.10	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	 	 	34,405	 	 	 	33,826	 	 	 	34,251	 	 	 	33,550	 	 	 	33,165	 	
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	 	 	34,405	 	 	 	33,826	 	 	 	34,256	 	 	 	33,550	 	 	 	33,165	 	
Balance Sheet Data:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net working capital (2)	 	$	74,467	 	 	$	82,764	 	 	$	92,832	 	 	$	93,839	 	 	$	92,542	 	
Total assets (2)	 	 	243,294	 	 	 	228,151	 	 	 	236,807	 	 	 	250,073	 	 	 	240,697	 	
Long-term debt, including current portion	 	 	139	 	 	 	5,187	 	 	 	5,261	 	 	 	5,340	 	 	 	5,289	 	
Shareholders’ equity	 	 	152,952	 	 	 	148,491	 	 	 	168,618	 	 	 	171,551	 	 	 	178,729	 	
 
 	(1)	Beginning in 2015, certain engineering costs related to routine product changes that were formerly classified within Research and development have been classified within Cost of products sold to more consistently align the results of our individual business units. Expenses of $7,825 for 2014, $7,837 for 2013, and $7,444 for 2012 have been reclassified accordingly.	
 
 	(2)	Beginning in the second quarter of 2016, we adopted a new accounting pronouncement which requires net deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We retrospectively adopted this standard, and accordingly our Net working capital and Total assets for prior periods are shown reflecting this change.
 	
20

 
 	 	
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	
 
General
 
Spartan Motors, Inc. was organized as a Michigan corporation on September 18, 1975, and is headquartered in Charlotte, Michigan. Spartan Motors began development of its first product that same year and shipped its first fire truck chassis in October 1975.
 
We are known as a leading, niche market engineer and manufacturer in the heavy-duty, custom vehicles marketplace. Our operating activities are conducted through our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Spartan Motors USA, Inc. (“Spartan USA”), with locations in Charlotte, Michigan; Brandon, South Dakota; Ephrata, Pennsylvania; and Bristol, Indiana along with contract manufacturing in Kansas City, Missouri and Saltillo, Mexico. In addition, as a result of a recent acquisition described below, we now also have facilities in Snyder and Neligh, Nebraska; Delavan, Wisconsin; and a second location in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. 
 
We recently completed a corporate reorganization. On July 1, 2015, our former Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. subsidiary (which operated our Charlotte, Michigan location) and our former Crimson Fire Aerials, Inc. subsidiary (which operated our Ephrata, Pennsylvania location) were merged into Spartan USA. On January 1, 2016, our former Utilimaster Corporation subsidiary (which operated our Bristol and Wakarusa, Indiana locations) was also merged into Spartan USA. These transactions were primarily completed in order to consolidate our U.S. operations into a single subsidiary and to simplify our corporate structure.
 
On January 1, 2017, Spartan USA acquired substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Smeal Properties, Inc., Ladder Tower Co., and U.S. Tanker Co. When used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “ Smeal” refers to the assets, liabilities, and operations acquired from such entities. The assets acquired consist of the assets used by the former owners of Smeal in the operation of its business designing, manufacturing, and distributing emergency response vehicle bodies and aerial devices for the fire service industry. Smeal has operations in Snyder and Neligh, Nebraska; Delavan, Wisconsin; and Ephrata, Pennsylvania and will be operated as part of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment.
 
Our Charlotte, Michigan location manufactures heavy duty chassis and vehicles and supplies aftermarket parts and accessories under the Spartan Chassis and Spartan ERV brand names. Our Brandon, South Dakota and Ephrata, Pennsylvania locations manufacture emergency response vehicles under the Spartan ERV brand name, while our Bristol, Indiana location manufactures vehicles used in the parcel delivery, mobile retail and trades and construction industries, and supplies related aftermarket parts and services under the Utilimaster brand name. Our Kansas City, Missouri and Saltillo, Mexico locations sell and install equipment used in fleet vehicles. Spartan USA is also a participant in Spartan-Gimaex Innovations, LLC (“ Spartan-Gimaex”), a 50/50 joint venture with Gimaex Holding, Inc. that was formed to provide emergency response vehicles for the domestic and international markets. Spartan-Gimaex is reported as a consolidated subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. In February 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. mutually agreed to begin discussions regarding the dissolution of the joint venture. In June 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. entered into court proceedings to determine the terms of the dissolution. In February 2017, by agreement of the parties, the court proceeding was dismissed with prejudice and the judge entered an order to this effect as the parties agreed to seek a dissolution plan on their own. No dissolution terms have been determined as of the date of this Form 10-K.
 
Our business strategy is to further diversify product lines and develop innovative design, engineering and manufacturing expertise in order to be the best value producer of custom vehicle products. Our diversification across several sectors provides numerous opportunities while reducing overall risk. Additionally, our business model provides the agility to quickly respond to market needs, take advantage of strategic opportunities when they arise and correctly size operations to ensure stability and growth.
 
We have an innovative team focused on building lasting relationships with our customers. This is accomplished by striving to deliver premium custom vehicles, vehicle components, and services. We believe we can best carry out our long-term business plan and obtain optimal financial flexibility by using a combination of borrowings under our credit facilities, as well as internally or externally generated equity capital, as sources of expansion capital.
 
21

 
 
Executive Overview
 
 	●	Revenue of $590.8 million in 2016, compared to $550.4 million in 2015.	
 	●	Gross Margin of 12.3% in 2016, compared to 8.6% in 2015, driven by favorable product mix in 2016.	
 	●	Operating expense of $63.9 million, or 10.8% of sales in 2016, compared to $59.6 million or 10.8% of sales in 2015.	
 	●	Operating income of $8.6 million in 2016, compared to an operating loss of $12.5 million in 2015.	
 	●	Income tax expense of $0.1 million in 2016, compared to $4.9 million in 2015, due to increases in deferred tax asset valuation allowance recorded in 2015.	
 	●	Net income of $8.6 million in 2016, compared to a net loss of $17.0 million in 2015.	
 	●	Earnings per share of $0.25 in 2016, compared to loss of $0.50 in 2015.	
 	●	Operating cash flow of $23.5 million in 2016, compared to $12.9 million in 2015.	
 	●	Order backlog of $249.5 million at December 31, 2016, compared to $270.8 million at December 31, 2015.	
 
The following table shows our sales by market for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 as a percentage of total sales:
 
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
Emergency response vehicles	 	 	29.7	%	 	 	34.0	%	 	 	36.4	%	
Defense vehicles	 	 	1.0	%	 	 	0.7	%	 	 	0.0	%	
Aftermarket parts and accessories	 	 	3.0	%	 	 	3.4	%	 	 	3.2	%	
Total government	 	 	33.7	%	 	 	38.1	%	 	 	39.6	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Motor home chassis	 	 	16.6	%	 	 	18.8	%	 	 	17.0	%	
Fleet vehicles	 	 	47.1	%	 	 	41.4	%	 	 	41.6	%	
Other vehicles	 	 	2.6	%	 	 	1.7	%	 	 	1.8	%	
Total business/consumer	 	 	66.3	%	 	 	61.9	%	 	 	60.4	%	
 
We continue to focus on growth by expanding our market share in existing markets, pursuing new commercial opportunities through our alliance with Isuzu and other manufacturers and pursuing strategic acquisitions that enable us to expand into existing or new markets as opportunities occur.
 
22

 
 
We are well positioned to take advantage of long-term opportunities as a result of:
 
 	●	Our diversified business model. We believe the major strength of our business model is market diversity and customization. Our Fleet Vehicles and Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segments serve mainly business and consumer markets, effectively diversifying our company and complementing our Emergency Response Vehicles segment, which primarily serves governmental entities. Additionally, the fleet vehicle market is an early-cycle industry, complementary to the late-cycle emergency response vehicle industry. We intend to continue to pursue additional areas that build on our core competencies in order to further diversify our business.	
 	 	 	
 	●	Our acquisition of Smeal, completed in January 2017 which will bring significant scale to our Emergency Response Vehicles segment, expand the geographic reach of our dealer network and add complementary products to our existing emergency response product portfolio.	
 	 	 	
 	●	The development of our new facility in Kansas City, Missouri which will support Ford Transit van equipment up-fit operations for our current customer base.	
 	 	 	
 	●	Our Spartan Select and 180 truck programs, designed to provide the custom apparatus that emergency response professionals need with unprecedented order-to-delivery cycle times as short as 180 days.	
 	 	 	
 	●	Spartan Connected Care, a new mobile application that provides owners of motor homes built on Spartan chassis with instant access to a pre-trip inspection checklist, coach-specific diagnostic codes and an interactive map to locate the closest Spartan authorized service center. Spartan Connected Care also provides notifications of events and rallies where owners can meet with Spartan engineers and service technicians, and participate in training sessions.	
 	 	 	
 	●	The introduction of the Velocity, a new delivery vehicle design that combines the productivity of a walk-in van for multi-stop deliveries with the superior fuel economy of the Ford Transit chassis.	
 	 	 	
 	●	The expansion of our alliance with Isuzu to include the assembly of Isuzu’s new F-Series truck. This expanded relationship demonstrates Isuzu’s confidence in Spartan’s quality, people, flexibility and expertise and provides another positive example of our successful execution of our multi-year plan for improving performance.	
 	 	 	
 	●	The strength of our balance sheet, which includes robust working capital, low debt and access to credit through our revolving line of credit and private shelf agreement.	

The following section provides a narrative discussion about our financial condition and results of operations. The comments that follow should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
23

 
 
Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the components of our consolidated statements of income, as a percentage of revenues (percentages may not sum due to rounding):
 
 	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
Sales	 	 	100.0	 	 	 	100.0	 	 	 	100.0	 	
Cost of products sold	 	 	87.7	 	 	 	91.4	 	 	 	89.1	 	
Gross profit	 	 	12.3	 	 	 	8.6	 	 	 	10.9	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Research and development	 	 	1.1	 	 	 	0.8	 	 	 	0.8	 	
Selling, general and administrative	 	 	9.7	 	 	 	10.0	 	 	 	10.4	 	
Operating income (loss)	 	 	1.5	 	 	 	(2.3	)	 	 	(0.2	)	
Other income, net	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
Income (loss) before taxes on income	 	 	1.5	 	 	 	(2.3	)	 	 	(0.2	)	
Income tax expense (benefit)	 	 	-	 	 	 	0.9	 	 	 	(0.4	)	
Net earnings (loss)	 	 	1.5	 	 	 	(3.2	)	 	 	0.2	 	
Non-controlling interest	 	 	-	 	 	 	(0.1	)	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors, Inc.	 	 	1.5	 	 	 	(3.1	)	 	 	0.2	 	
 
During 2016, we recorded restructuring charges of $1.1 million or 0.2% of sales, related to the restructuring of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment operations. During 2015, we recorded restructuring charges of $2.9 million, or 0.5% of sales, related to the restructuring of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment operations and the consolidation of our Ocala, Florida operations into our Charlotte, Michigan and Brandon, South Dakota locations. During 2015, we also recorded a $2.2 million charge for the impairment of certain long-lived assets related to our Emergency Response Vehicles segment. During 2014, we recorded restructuring charges of $2.2 million, or 0.5% of sales, related to the restructuring of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment operations and the consolidation of our Ocala, Florida operations into our Charlotte, Michigan and Brandon, South Dakota locations. During 2014, we also incurred $0.7 million of expense due to changes in the fair value of the contingent liability for earn-out consideration related to our Utilimaster acquisition in 2009.
 
24

 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Consolidated sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $40.4 million, or 7.3% to $590.8 million from $550.4 million in 2015, driven by a $50.7 million increase in our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment. This increase was partially offset by decreases of $10.2 million in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment and $0.1 million in our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment. These changes in revenue are discussed more fully in the discussion of our segments below.
 
Cost of products sold increased by $14.9 million, or 3.0%, to $518.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $503.3 million in 2015, primarily due to increased sales volume in 2016.
 
Gross profit increased by $25.4 million, or 53.9%, to $72.5 million in 2016 from $47.1 million in 2015. The increase was mainly due to the higher equipment up-fit and other specialty chassis sales in 2016. Also contributing to the increase was an approximately $4.0 million increase resulting from improved manufacturing performance in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment, along with reductions of $1.7 million in accruals for warranty and recalls, $0.7 million in asset impairment charges and $0.4 million in restructuring charges recorded in 2016 compared to 2015. In addition, we incurred $1.0 million of charges related to the wind-down of our Spartan-Gimaex joint venture in 2015 that did not recur in 2016.
 
Gross margin increased by 370 basis points to 12.3% in 2016 from 8.6% in 2015, mainly driven by a more favorable product mix resulting from the increase in equipment up-fit and other specialty chassis sales in 2016.
 
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $4.3 million, or 7.2%, to $63.9 million from $59.6 million in 2015. Research and development expense increased by $2.2 million in 2016, with approximately equal amounts due to charges incurred for testing related to product recalls in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment, new vehicle development expenses incurred in our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment, and increased engineering management and administrative costs experienced in 2016. Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $3.5 million in 2016 compared to 2015. This increase was due to a $4.4 million increase in incentive compensation in 2016 based on company performance, along with $0.8 million of costs related to the Smeal acquisition that closed on January 1, 2017 and a $0.5 million increase in legal fees in 2016. These increases were partially offset by charges of $1.2 million for asset impairments and $1.0 million for a NHTSA penalty recorded in 2015 that did not recur in 2016. Restructuring charges recorded in 2016 were $1.4 million lower than those recorded in 2015 as the activities related to our Emergency Response Vehicles segment restructuring initiated in 2015 wind down.
 
Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased by $4.8 million to expense of $0.1 million compared to $4.9 million in 2015. Our effective tax rate in 2016 was 1.1% compared to (38.7)% in 2015. Our effective tax rate in 2016 was impacted by a $2.9 million reduction to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance as a result of the taxable income generated in 2016. Our effective tax rate in 2015 was heavily impacted by an increase in the valuation allowances for various deferred tax assets.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded an increase to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance, representing the portion of our deferred tax assets, net of the deferred tax liabilities, that, based on an assessment of available positive and negative evidence, may not be realizable in future periods. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we reversed a portion of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance as a result of the taxable income we generated. We will continue to evaluate whether the valuation allowance is needed in future reporting periods. It is possible that sufficient positive evidence, including sustained profitability, may become available in future periods to allow us to reach a conclusion that all or part of the valuation allowance could be reversed.
 
Net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $26.1 million to income of $8.6 million compared to a loss of $17.5 million in 2015. Driving this increase were the increases in gross profit of $25.4 million and decrease of $4.8 million in taxes, which were offset by the $4.3 million increase in operating expenses as discussed above.
 
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest consists of the portion of the after-tax loss related to the Spartan-Gimaex joint venture that is attributable to our joint venture partner.
 
Net earnings attributable to Spartan Motors, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $25.6 million to income of $8.6 million compared to a loss of $17.0 million in 2015. On a per share basis, net earnings increased by $0.75 to income of $0.25 per share in 2016 compared to a loss of $0.50 per share in 2015, due to the factors discussed above.
 
25

 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Consolidated sales for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased by $43.6 million, or 8.6% to $550.4 million from $506.8 million in 2014, driven by increases of $23.2 million in our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment, $17.2 million in our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment and $3.2 million in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment. These changes in revenue are discussed more fully in the discussion of our segments below.
 
Cost of products sold increased by $51.8 million, or 11.5%, to $503.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $451.5 million in 2014, primarily due to increased sales volume in 2015.
 
Gross profit decreased by $8.2 million, or 14.8%, to $47.1 million in 2015 from $55.3 million in 2014. $8.9 million of this decrease was due to higher warranty accruals due to various repair campaigns initiated during 2015 along with higher claims cost data utilized in estimating general warranty reserves in 2015. Additional causes of the decrease include: $3.6 million due to a pricing adjustment on certain motor home chassis enacted in 2015; $1.9 million due to production inefficiencies as a result of the relocation of certain Emergency Response Vehicles operations in 2015; $1.0 million due to impairment charges on certain long-lived assets recorded in 2015; and $0.8 million for an increase in charges related to the wind-down of our Spartan-Gimaex joint venture recorded in 2015. These decreases were partially offset by increases of $1.3 million due to a more favorable product mix in 2015, $6.4 million due to the higher overall sales volumes experienced in 2015 and a $0.3 million reduction in restructuring charges recorded in 2015.
 
Gross margin decreased by 230 basis points to 8.6% in 2015 from 10.9% in 2014. Higher warranty expense in 2015 accounted for 260 basis points of the decrease. Additional causes of the decrease include: 100 basis points due to competitive pricing adjustments enacted on certain motor home chassis; 50 basis points due to production inefficiencies resulting from the relocation of certain Emergency Response Vehicles operations in 2015; 30 basis points due to asset impairment charges recorded in 2015; and 20 basis points due to an increase in charges related to the wind-down of our Spartan-Gimaex joint venture recorded in 2015. These decreases were partially offset by increases of 180 basis points resulting from the higher overall sales volume in 2015, 40 basis points due to a more favorable product mix in 2015 and 10 basis points due to lower restructuring charges recorded in 2015.
 
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased by $3.2 million, or 5.7%, to $59.6 million from $56.4 million in 2014. Research and development expense increased by $0.7 million in 2015, mainly due to additional resources devoted to product development projects in our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment. Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $1.5 million in 2015 compared to 2014. $1.2 million of this increase was due to impairment charges on certain long-lived assets of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment recorded in 2015, while an additional $1.0 million of the increase was due to a NHTSA penalty recorded in 2015. These increases were partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease resulting from additional earnout contingency recorded in 2014 that did not recur in 2015. We also recorded an additional $1.0 million of restructuring charges, related to our Emergency and Response Vehicles segment, in 2015 in excess of the amount recorded in 2014.
 
Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased by $7.0 million to expense of $4.9 million compared to a benefit of $2.1 million in 2014, mainly due to an increase in a deferred tax asset valuation allowance that was recorded in 2015. Our effective tax rate in 2015 was (38.7)% compared to 195.8% in 2014. Our effective tax rate in 2015 was heavily impacted by an increase in the valuation allowances for various deferred tax assets, while our effective tax rate in 2014 was heavily impacted by the reduction of valuation allowances related to state tax net operating loss carry forwards as a result of our subsidiary legal entity reorganization and adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2015 we recorded an increase to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $5.1 million, representing the portion of our deferred tax assets, net of the deferred tax liabilities, that, based on an assessment of available positive and negative evidence, may not be realizable in future periods. We will continue to evaluate whether the valuation allowance is needed in future reporting periods. It is possible that sufficient positive evidence, including sustained profitability, may become available in future periods to allow us to reach a conclusion that all or part of the valuation allowance could be reversed.
 
Net earnings (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased by $18.5 million to a loss of $17.5 million compared to income of $1.0 million in 2014. Driving this decrease were the decreases of gross profit of $8.2 million and increases of $3.2 million in operating expense and $7.0 million in taxes discussed above.
 
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of $0.5 million in 2015 consists of the portion of the after-tax loss related to the Spartan-Gimaex joint venture that is attributable to our joint venture partner. This loss is mainly attributable to reserves recorded during 2015 to adjust certain inventory items to their fair market value at December 31, 2015.
 
26

 
 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased by $18.2 million to a loss of $17.0 million compared to earnings of $1.2 million in 2014. On a per share basis, net earnings (loss) decreased by $0.53 to a loss of $0.50 per share in 2015 from earnings of $0.03 per share in 2014, due to the factors discussed above.

Our Segments
 
We identify our reportable segments based on our management structure and the financial data utilized by our chief operating decision makers to assess segment performance and allocate resources among our operating units. We have three reportable segments: Emergency Response Vehicles, Fleet Vehicles and Services, and Specialty Chassis and Vehicles.
 
The Emergency Response Vehicles segment consists of the emergency response chassis operations at our Charlotte, Michigan location and our operations at our Brandon, South Dakota and Ephrata, Pennsylvania locations, along with our Spartan-Gimaex joint venture. In addition, as a result of our recent acquisition of Smeal, this segment now also has operations in Snyder and Neligh, Nebraska; Delavan, Wisconsin; and a second facility in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. This segment engineers and manufactures emergency response chassis and vehicles and distributes related aftermarket parts and accessories.
 
The Fleet Vehicles and Services segment consists of our operations at our Bristol, Indiana location and focuses on designing and manufacturing walk-in vans for the parcel delivery, mobile retail, and trades and construction industries, and supplies related aftermarket parts and services under the Utilimaster brand name.
 
The Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment consists of our Charlotte, Michigan operations that engineer and manufacture motor home chassis, defense vehicles and other specialty chassis and distribute related aftermarket parts and accessories.
 
As a result of a realignment of our operating segments completed during the second quarter of 2016, aftermarket parts and accessories related to emergency response vehicles, which were formerly reported under the Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment, are now included in the Emergency Response Vehicles segment. Segment results from 2015 and 2014 are shown reflecting the change. Appropriate expense amounts are allocated to the three reportable segments and are included in their reported operating income or loss.
 
For certain financial information related to each segment, see Note 16, Business Segments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Emergency Response Vehicles

Segment Financial Data
(Dollars in Thousands)	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Sales	 	$	182,981	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	193,220	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	190,003	 	 	 	100.0	%	
Operating loss	 	$	(13,660	)	 	 	-7.5	%	 	$	(23,722	)	 	 	-12.3	%	 	$	(6,280	)	 	 	-3.3	%	
Segment assets	 	$	77,887	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	76,030	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	81,748	 	 	 	 	 	
 
Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015
 
Sales in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment decreased by $10.2 million, or 5.3%, from 2015 to 2016. A $23.2 million sales decrease due to lower unit volume was partially offset by a $13.0 million sales increase due to the product mix sold in 2016, which included fewer low content fire trucks. International sales accounted for 13.5% of revenue in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment in 2016. There were no significant changes in the pricing of the products in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment during 2016.
 
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Operating loss in the segment decreased by $10.0 million, or 42.2%, from 2015 to 2016. $4.0 million of the decrease was due to improved manufacturing performance, largely accomplished through the production outsourcing of lower priced units. Higher asset impairments recorded in 2015 accounted for $1.8 million of the decrease, while $1.6 million was due to lower warranty costs in 2016 resulting from various repair campaigns and higher overall warranty accruals recorded in 2015. $0.9 million of the decrease was due to reduced selling expenses in 2016, mainly resulting from headcount reductions, while $0.7 million of the decrease was due to the NHTSA fine incurred in 2015 that did not recur in 2016 and $1.8 million of the decrease was due to reduced restructuring charges incurred in 2016. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in R&D costs in 2016, largely due to testing related to product recalls.
 
Order backlog for our Emergency Response Vehicles segment decreased by $16.4 million or 10.5% to $139.9 million at December 31, 2016 compared to $156.3 million in 2015, driven by a more selective bid process established in 2016 as part of our turnaround strategy.
 
Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014
 
Sales in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment increased by $3.2 million, or 1.7%, from 2014 to 2015, mainly due to higher unit sales volumes. International sales accounted for 13.0% of revenue in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment in 2015. There were no significant changes in the pricing of the products in our Emergency Response Vehicles segment during 2015.
 
Operating loss in the segment increased by $17.4 million, or 277.7%, from 2014 to 2015. $7.2 million of the increase was due to higher warranty costs resulting from various repair campaigns and higher overall warranty accruals in 2015 due to claims experience. $4.7 million of this increase was due to an unfavorable product mix in 2015 compared to 2014, which included more orders with multiple identical units. $2.2 million of the decrease resulted from impairment charges on certain long-lived assets recorded in 2015, while $1.9 million was due to higher labor and overhead costs experienced in 2015 resulting from inefficiencies caused by production relocations. $0.7 million of the decrease was due to charges related to a NHTSA penalty imposed in 2015, while an additional $0.7 million was due to higher restructuring charges incurred in 2015.

Fleet Vehiclesand Services
 
Segment Financial Data
(Dollars in Thousands)	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Sales	 	$	278,389	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	227,683	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	210,498	 	 	 	100.0	%	
Operating Income 	 	$	28,740	 	 	 	10.3	%	 	$	14,530	 	 	 	6.4	%	 	$	8,324	 	 	 	4.0	%	
Segment assets	 	$	65,277	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	70,491	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	65,827	 	 	 	 	 	
 
Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015
 
Sales in our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment increased by $50.7 million, or 22.3%, to $278.4 million in 2016 from $227.7 million in 2015. $37.3 million of the increase was due to higher aftermarket parts and accessories sales, driven by higher demand for equipment up-fit. $10.0 million was due to increased vehicle unit volume, while $3.4 million was due to a more favorable mix of vehicle sales driven by a change in our truck body sales strategy. International sales accounted for 1.9% of revenue in our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment in 2016.
 
Operating income increased by $14.2 million, or 97.9%, to $28.7 million in 2016 from $14.5 million in 2015, driven by an increase in parts and equipment up-fit sales in 2016.
 
Order backlog for our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment decreased by $6.6 million, or 6.8%, to $89.5 million in 2016 compared to $96.1 million in 2015, driven by a $25.5 million decrease in equipment up-fit orders, which was partially offset by an $18.9 million increase in vehicle backlog.
 
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Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014
 
Sales in our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment increased by $17.2 million, or 8.2%, to $227.7 million in 2015 from $210.5 million in 2014. $12.4 million of the increase was due to higher parts and equipment up-fit revenue, while $4.8 million was due to a change in the mix of vehicle sales. International sales accounted for 3.5% of revenue in our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment in 2015.
 
Operating income increased by $6.2 million, or 74.7%, to $14.5 million in 2015 from $8.3 million in 2014, driven by a favorable sales mix in 2015 that included a higher proportion of parts and equipment up-fit sales.
 
Order backlog for our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment increased by $35.5 million, or 58.6%, to $96.1 million in 2015 compared to $60.6 million in 2014, driven by an increase in equipment up-fit orders. In January 2017, we received $37.0 million of new orders for our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment, a 21.9% increase from January 2016.
 
Specialty Chassis and Vehicles
 
Segment Financial Data
(Dollars in Thousands)	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Sales	 	$	129,407	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	129,511	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	106,263	 	 	 	100.0	%	
Operating Income	 	$	6,846	 	 	 	5.3	%	 	$	4,906	 	 	 	3.8	%	 	$	6,619	 	 	 	6.2	%	
Segment assets	 	$	28,825	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	24,032	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	21,269	 	 	 	 	 	
 
Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015
 
Sales in our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment decreased by $0.1 million, to $129.4 million in 2016 compared to $129.5 million in 2015. Sales of motor home chassis decreased by $5.3 million, driven by lower unit volume in 2016, while sales of aftermarket parts and accessories decreased by $2.1 million. These decreases were nearly offset by other specialty vehicles sales, which increased by $7.3 million due to increased unit volumes.
 
Operating income increased by $1.9 million, or 39.5%, to $6.8 million in 2016 compared to $4.9 million in 2015, mainly due to the increase in other specialty chassis sales in 2016.
 
Order backlog for our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment increased by $1.6 million, or 8.7%, to $20.0 million at December 31, 2016 compared to $18.4 million at December 31, 2015. This increase was due to a $6.3 million increase in backlog for motor home chassis and a $0.3 million increase in aftermarket parts and accessories backlog, which were partially offset by a decrease of $4.9 million in backlog for defense vehicles due to the fulfillment of defense orders on hand in 2016.   

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014
 
Sales in our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment increased by $23.2 million, or 21.9%, to $129.5 million in 2015 compared to $106.3 million in 2014. Sales of motor home chassis increased by $17.1 million, with a $25.8 million increase as a result of higher unit volume partially offset by decreases of $5.1 million due to an unfavorable product mix in 2015 and $3.6 million due to competitive pricing adjustments enacted in 2015. Sales of other specialty vehicles increased by $4.7 million mainly due to the completion of an order for defense vehicles in 2015, while sales of aftermarket parts and accessories increased by $1.4 million.
 
Operating income decreased by $1.7 million, or 25.9%, to $4.9 million in 2015 compared to $6.6 million in 2014. $3.6 million of this decrease was due to the competitive pricing adjustments enacted in 2015, with an additional $1.9 million due to accruals related to warranty repair campaigns in 2015, $0.8 million due to higher selling, general and administrative expense, largely related to the increased sales levels, and $0.5 million related to a NHTSA fine incurred in 2015. These decreases were partially offset by a $5.1 million increase related to the higher unit sales volumes in 2015.
 
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Order backlog for our Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment decreased by $4.0 million, or 17.9%, to $18.4 million at December 31, 2015 compared to $22.4 million at December 31, 2014, driven by a decrease in orders on hand for motor home chassis, largely as a result of timing.

Financial Condition
 
Balance sheet at December 31, 2016 compared to December 31, 2015
 
Accounts receivable increased by $8.8 million, or 15.5%, to $65.4 million at December 31, 2016 from $56.6 million at December 31, 2015, with approximately equal parts of the increase due to increased sales late in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to 2015 and the timing of payment receipts in late 2016 compared to late 2015. In January 2017, $7.4 million of our accounts receivable was forgiven as part of our acquisition of Smeal. Our receivable days sales outstanding decreased to 40 days sales at December 31, 2016 from 41 days at December 31, 2015 mainly due to increased sales compared to the previous year.
 
Inventory decreased by $1.7 million, or 2.8%, to $58.9 million at December 31, 2016 from $60.6 million at December 31, 2015, mainly due to completion and shipment of units and continued focus on inventory reduction actions.
 
Other current assets increased by $1.0 million, or 28.6%, to $4.5 million at December 31, 2016 from $3.5 million at December 31, 2015 mainly due to an increase in prepaid expenses during the period.
 
Net deferred tax asset increased by $2.7 million or 450.0%, to $3.3 million at December 31, 2016 from $0.6 million at December 31, 2015 as a result of the change in our valuation allowance during the year. The remaining residual value of $3.3 million represents that portion of our deferred income tax assets that could generate future tax losses and be successfully carried back and offset against current year taxable income to recover taxes paid.
 
Accounts payable increased by $4.0 million, or 14.7%, to $31.3 million at December 31, 2016 from $27.3 million at December 31, 2015, mainly due to increased sales volume which resulted in increased purchases to support production.
 
Accrued warranty increased by $2.7 million, or 16.3%, to $19.3 million at December 31, 2016 from $16.6 million at December 31, 2015, due to $5.7 million of accruals for warranties provided on vehicles produced during the year and additional accruals of $4.0 million for various repair campaigns in 2016 and $3.3 million for changes in existing warranties, offset by $10.3 million of payments for repairs made during the year.
 
Accrued compensation and related taxes increased by $4.5 million, or 51.7%, to $13.2 million at December 31, 2016 from $8.7 million at December 31, 2015, mainly due to an increase in incentive compensation accruals as a result of our financial performance during the year.
 
Deposits from customers increased by $3.0 million, or 22.9%, to $16.1 million at December 31, 2016 from $13.1 million at December 31, 2015, due to more customers electing to make deposits on orders in 2016. We receive deposits on orders at the option of our customers. Consequently, the amount of deposits on hand will vary from time to time.
 
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses increased by $1.1 million, or 16.7%, to $7.7 million at December 31, 2016 from $6.6 million at December 31, 2015 mainly due to the timing of accruals for various expenses incurred but not yet invoiced.
 
Balance sheet at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014
 
Cash increased by $4.1 million, or 14.3%, to $32.7 million at December 31, 2015 from $28.6 million at December 31, 2014, due to operating activities that provided $12.9 million, which more than offset the $8.8 million utilized through financing and investing activities. See the discussion on cash flows below for more information on the sources and uses of our cash.
 
Accounts receivable increased by $8.2 million, or 16.9%, to $56.6 million at December 31, 2015 from $48.4 million at December 31, 2014. Our receivable days sales outstanding increased to 41 days sales at December 31, 2015 from 39 days at December 31, 2014 mainly due to the timing of revenue, with higher shipment of completed units in December 2015 compared to the previous year.
 
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Inventory decreased by $10.6 million, or 14.9%, to $60.6 million at December 31, 2015 from $71.2 million at December 31, 2014, mainly due to completion and shipment of vehicles in the first quarter of 2015 that were in work in process inventory at December 31, 2014.
 
Net deferred tax asset decreased by $5.1 million, or 88.9%, to $0.6 million at December 31, 2015 from $5.8 million at December 31, 2014. During 2015, we recorded a $5.1 million adjustment to the valuation allowance largely as a result of our net loss position for 2015.
 
Accounts payable increased by $4.5 million, or 19.7%, to $27.3 million at December 31, 2015 from $22.8 million at December 31, 2014, mainly due to increased sales volume which resulted in increased purchases to support production.
 
Accrued warranty increased by $7.4 million, or 80.4%, to $16.6 million at December 31, 2015 from $9.2 million at December 31, 2014, mainly due to additional accruals of $7.1 million for various repair campaigns in 2015, along with increases in the general reserves due to claims experience.
 
Deposits from customers increased by $1.6 million, or 13.9%, to $13.1 million at December 31, 2015 from $11.5 million at December 31, 2014, due to more customers electing to make deposits on orders in 2015. We receive deposits on orders at the option of our customers. Consequently, the amount of deposits on hand will vary from time to time.
 
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses decreased by $2.2 million, or 25.1%, to $6.6 million at December 31, 2015 from $8.8 million at December 31, 2014 mainly due to the payment of $1.5 million for the contingent liability for our purchase of Utilimaster that was accrued in 2014 along with reductions in restructuring accruals during the year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
CashFlows
Our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
 
 	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
Cash provided by (used in):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating activities	 	$	23,451	 	 	$	12,900	 	 	$	6,506	 	
Investing activities	 	 	(13,385	)	 	 	(4,687	)	 	 	(2,815	)	
Financing activities	 	 	(10,726	)	 	 	(4,082	)	 	 	(5,828	)	
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	 	$	(660	)	 	$	4,131	 	 	$	(2,137	)	
 
During 2016, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $0.7 million to a balance of $32.0 million as of December 31, 2016. These funds, in addition to cash generated from future operations and available credit facilities, are expected to be sufficient to finance our foreseeable liquidity and capital needs.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities
 
We generated $23.5 million of cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2016. Cash flow from operating activities was impacted by non-cash expenses of $20.2 million and net income of $8.6 million. Changes in working capital requirements, including accounts receivable, inventories, accounts payable and deposits from customers resulted in the use of $5.4 million of cash.
 
We generated $12.9 million of cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2015. Cash flow from operating activities was impacted by non-cash expenses of $31.4 million, which offset our net loss of $17.5 million. Changes in working capital requirements, including accounts receivable, inventories, income taxes receivable, accounts payable and deposits from customers resulted in the use of $1.0 million of cash.
 
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We generated $6.5 million of cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition to our net income of $1.0 million, our cash flow from operations was impacted by non-cash expenses of $8.4 million. We utilized $2.9 million of cash due to changes in working capital requirements, including inventories, accounts payable, accrued warranty and deposits from customers.
 
In 2017 we expect to incur non-recurring cash outlays of $44 million to $45 million. This estimate includes approximately $32.5 million of cash investment related to our acquisition of Smeal, along with expenditures for the replacement and upgrade of machinery and equipment used in operations and approximately $6 million to expand certain production facilities. We plan to fund these cash outlays with borrowings from our existing $100 million line of credit along with cash generated from our operations in 2017.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities
 
We used $13.4 million of cash for investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2016, mainly for the construction of our new assembly plant in Charlotte, Michigan, along with the purchase of property, plant and equipment used in our operations.
 
We used $4.7 million of cash for investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2015, mainly for the purchase of property, plant and equipment used in our operations.
 
We used $2.8 million of cash for investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2014, mainly for the purchase of property, plant and equipment used in our operations.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities
 
Cash used in financing activities of $10.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 consisted primarily of the repayment of long-term debt, funds used to pay cash dividends during the year and the repurchase of our common stock. See Note 14,  Shareholders Equity , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information on our share repurchases.
 
Cash used in financing activities of $4.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 consisted primarily of funds used to pay cash dividends during the year.
 
We used $5.8 million for financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2014, including $3.4 million for the payment of dividends and $2.0 million for the repurchase of our common stock.
 
Recent Acquisition (subsequent event)
On January 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Smeal Properties, Inc., Ladder Tower Co., and U.S. Tanker Co. pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2016. This acquisition will bring significant scale to our Emergency Response Vehicles segment, expand the geographic reach of our dealer network and add complementary products to our existing emergency response product portfolio. See Note 2,  Acquisition Activities (Subsequent Event)  in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for more information on this acquisition.
 
Restructuring Activities
During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we incurred $1.1 million, $2.9 million and $2.2 million of restructuring charges within our Emergency Response Vehicles segment related to the relocation of our Ocala, Florida manufacturing operations to our Charlotte, Michigan and Brandon, South Dakota facilities, along with efforts undertaken to upgrade production processes at our Brandon, South Dakota and Ephrata, Pennsylvania locations.
 
See Note 4, Restructuring Charges, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information.

WorkingCapital
Our working capital is summarized in the following table (in thousands):
 
 	 	As of December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current assets	 	$	162,191	 	 	$	155,137	 	 	$	153,453	 	
Current liabilities	 	 	87,724	 	 	 	72,373	 	 	 	60,621	 	
Working capital	 	$	74,467	 	 	$	82,764	 	 	$	92,832	 	
 
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Working capital decreased from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016, driven by changes in accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable, accrued warranty, accrued compensation and related taxes, and deposits from customers as described above.
 
Working capital decreased from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015, driven by changes in cash, accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable, accrued warranty and deposits from customers as described above.
 
Contingent Liabilities
Spartan-Gimaex joint venture
In February 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. mutually agreed to begin discussions regarding the dissolution of the Spartan-Gimaex joint venture. In June 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. entered into court proceedings to determine the terms of the dissolution. In February 2017, by agreement of the parties, the court proceeding was dismissed with prejudice and the judge entered an order to this effect as the parties agreed to seek a dissolution plan on their own. No dissolution terms have been determined as of the date of this Form 10-K. In the fourth quarters of 2015 and 2014, we accrued charges totaling $1.0 million and $0.2 million to write down certain inventory items associated with this joint venture to their estimated fair values. Costs associated with the wind-down will be impacted by the final dissolution agreement. The costs we have accrued so far represent the low end of the range of the estimated total charges that we believe we may incur related to the wind-down. While we are unable to determine the final cost of the wind-down with certainty at this time, we may incur additional charges, depending on the final terms of the dissolution, and such charges could be material to our results.
 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) penalty
In July 2015, we entered into a settlement agreement with the NHTSA pertaining to our early warning and defect reporting. Under the terms of the agreement, we will pay a fine of $1.0 million in equal installments over three years, and will complete performance obligations including compliance and regulatory practice improvements, industry outreach, and recalls to remedy potential safety defects in certain of our chassis. The following table presents the charges recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the year ended December 31, 2015 as a result of this agreement (in thousands):
 
Cost of products sold	 	$	1,269	 	
Selling, general and administrative	 	 	1,000	 	
 	 	$	2,269	 	

Debt
On October 31, 2016, we entered into a second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") by and among us, certain of our subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent ("Wells Fargo"), and the lenders party thereto consisting of Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank (the "Lenders"). Under the Credit Agreement, we may borrow up to $100 million from the Lenders under a three-year unsecured revolving credit facility. We may also request an increase in the facility of up to $35 million in the aggregate, subject to customary conditions. The credit facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit of up to $20 million, swing line loans of up to $15 million and revolving loans, subject to certain limitations and restrictions. Interest rates on borrowings under the credit facility are based on either (i) the highest of the prime rate, the federal funds effective rate from time to time plus 0.5%, or the one month adjusted London interbank market rate ("LIBOR") plus 1.0%; or (ii) adjusted LIBOR plus a margin based upon our ratio of debt to earnings from time to time. The Credit Agreement contains certain customary representations and covenants, including performance-based financial covenants on our part. The credit facility matures October 31, 2019, following which we have the option to renew the credit facility, subject to lender approval, for two successive one-year periods with an ultimate maturity date of October 31, 2021. Commitment fees range from 17.5 to 32.5 basis points on the unused portion of the line. We had no drawings against this credit line as of December 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. In January 2017, we borrowed $32.8 million from our credit line to fund our acquisition of Smeal. During the year ended December 31, 2016, and in future years, our revolving credit facility was utilized, and will continue to be utilized, to finance commercial chassis received under chassis bailment inventory agreements with General Motors Company (“GM”) and Chrysler Group, LLC (“Chrysler”). This funding is reflected as a reduction of the revolving credit facility available to us equal to the amount drawn by GM and Chrysler. See Note 10,  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further details about these chassis bailment inventory agreements. The applicable borrowing rate including margin was 1.86672% (or one-month LIBOR plus 1.5%) at December 31, 2016.
 
At December 31, 2015 we had $5.0 million of 5.46% Series B Senior Notes outstanding with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. The notes were repaid with cash on hand on October 31, 2016.
 
Under the terms of our credit agreement with our banks, we have the ability to issue letters of credit totaling $20.0 million. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $1,599 and $1,337 related to certain emergency response vehicle contracts and our workers compensation insurance.
 
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Under the terms of the line of credit and the term notes detailed above, we are required to maintain certain financial ratios and other financial conditions, which limited our available borrowings under our line of credit to a total of approximately $73.6 million and $36.5 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The agreements prohibit us from incurring additional indebtedness; limit certain acquisitions, investments, advances or loans; limit our ability to pay dividends in certain circumstances; and restrict substantial asset sales. At December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with all debt covenants, and, based on our outlook for 2017, we expect to be able to meet these financial covenants over the next twelve months.
 
We had capital lease obligations outstanding of $0.1 million and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, due and payable over the next five years.

Equity Securities
On October 19, 2011, our Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase up to a total of 1.0 million shares of our common stock in open market transactions, contingent upon market conditions. During the second and third quarters of 2014, we repurchased a total of 382,000 shares of our common stock and during the second quarter of 2016, we repurchased a total of 422,000 shares of our common stock under this authorization. We did not repurchase any shares in 2015.
 
On April 28, 2016, our Board of Directors terminated the 2011 repurchase authorization effective June 30, 2016, and authorized the repurchase of up to 1.0 million additional shares of our common stock in open market transactions. At December 31, 2016 there were 1.0 million shares remaining under this repurchase authorization. If we were to repurchase the remaining 1.0 million shares of stock under the repurchase program, it would cost us $7.1 million based on the closing price of our stock on February 27, 2017. We believe that we have sufficient resources to fund any potential stock buyback in which we may engage.
 
Dividends
On November 2, 2016 our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on December 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2016.
 
On April 28, 2016 our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on June 23, 2016 to shareholders of record on May 19, 2016. The total amount of dividends paid in 2016 was $3.4 million.
 
On October 26, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on December 17, 2015 to shareholders of record on November 12, 2015.
 
On May 8, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on June 25, 2015 to shareholders of record on May 21, 2015. The total amount of dividends paid in 2015 was $3.4 million.
 
On October 23, 2014 our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on December 18, 2014 to shareholders of record on November 13, 2014.
 
On May 1, 2014 our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, which was paid on June 19, 2014 to shareholders of record on May 15, 2014. The total amount of dividends paid in 2014 was $3.4 million.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
 
Our future contractual obligations for agreements, including agreements to purchase materials in the normal course of business, are summarized below.
 
 	 	Payments Due by Period (in thousands)	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	Less than	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	More than	 	
 	 	Total	 	 	1 Year	 	 	1-3 Years	 	 	4-5 Years	 	 	5 Years	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Capital leases	 	$	149	 	 	$	71	 	 	$	78	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	
Operating leases	 	 	8,289	 	 	 	2,247	 	 	 	3,384	 	 	 	2,585	 	 	 	73	 	
Purchase obligations	 	 	36,580	 	 	 	36,580	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total contractual obligations	 	$	45,018	 	 	$	38,898	 	 	$	3,462	 	 	$	2,585	 	 	$	73	 	

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The following discussion of critical accounting policies and estimates is intended to supplement Note 1, General and Summary of Accounting Policies , of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. These policies were selected because they are broadly applicable within our operating units and they involve additional management judgment due to the sensitivity of the methods, assumptions and estimates necessary in determining the related statement of income, asset and/or liability amounts.

Revenue Recognition 
 
We recognize revenue in accordance with authoritative guidelines, including those of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, revenue is recognized when title to the product and risk of ownership passes to the buyer. In certain instances, risk of ownership and title passes when the product has been completed in accordance with purchase order specifications and has been tendered for delivery to the customer. On certain customer requested bill and hold transactions, revenue recognition occurs after the customer has been notified that the products have been completed according to the customer specifications, have passed all of our quality control inspections, and are ready for delivery. All sales are shown net of returns, discounts and sales incentive programs, which historically have not been significant. The collectability of any related receivable is reasonably assured before revenue is recognized.
 
35

 
 
Accounts Receivable 
 
We maintain an allowance for customer accounts that reduces receivables to amounts that are expected to be collected. In estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts, we make certain assumptions regarding the risk of uncollectable open receivable accounts. This risk factor is applied to the balance on accounts that are aged over 90 days: generally this reserve has an estimated range from 10-25%. The risk percentage applied to the aged accounts may change based on conditions such as: general economic conditions, industry-specific economic conditions, historical and anticipated customer performance, historical experience with write-offs and the level of past-due amounts from year to year. However, generally our assumptions are consistent year-over-year and there has been little adjustment made to the percentages used. In addition, in the event there are certain known risk factors with an open account, we may increase the allowance to include estimated losses on such “specific” account balances. The “specific” reserves are identified by a periodic review of the aged accounts receivable. If there is an account in question, credit checks are made and there is communication with the customer, along with other means to try to assess if a specific reserve is required. The inclusion of the “specific” reserve has caused the greatest fluctuation in our allowance for doubtful accounts balance historically. Please see Note 1,  General and Summary of Accounting Policies,  in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K and Appendix A included in this Form 10-K for further details and historical view of our allowance for doubtful accounts balance.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
 
In accordance with authoritative guidance on goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, such assets are tested for impairment at least annually, and written down when and to the extent impaired. We perform our annual impairment test for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of October 1 of each year, or more frequently if an event occurs or conditions change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying value.
 
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, all of our goodwill relates to our Fleet Vehicles and Services reportable segment. This reportable segment was also determined to be a reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing. We first assess qualitative factors including, but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for our products and current and forecasted financial performance to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, we are not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. We have the option to bypass this qualitative assessment and proceed to the first step of a two-step goodwill impairment assessment. If we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment, or if after completing the assessment it is determined to be more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a two-step impairment test, whereby the first step is comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined by estimating the future cash flows of the reporting unit to which the goodwill relates, and then discounting the future cash flows at a market-participant-derived weighted-average cost of capital (“WACC”). In determining the estimated future cash flows, we consider current and projected future levels of income based on our plans for that business; business trends, prospects and market and economic conditions; and market-participant considerations. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered to not be impaired and the second step of the test is not performed. The second step of the impairment test is performed when the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, in which case the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is compared with the carrying amount of that goodwill based on a hypothetical allocation of the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its underlying assets and liabilities. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
 
We evaluate the recoverability of our indefinite lived intangible assets, which, as of December 31, 2016, consisted of our Utilimaster trade name, by comparing the estimated fair value of the trade name with its carrying value. We estimate the fair value of our trade name based on estimates of future royalty payments that are avoided through our ownership of the trade name, discounted to their present value. In determining the estimated fair value of the trade name, we consider current and projected future levels of revenue based on our plans for Utilimaster branded products, business trends, prospects and market and economic conditions.
 
Significant judgments inherent in these analyses include assumptions about appropriate sales growth rates, WACC and the amount of expected future net cash flows. The judgments and assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are generally consistent with the projections and assumptions that are used in current operating plans. Such assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. The determination of fair value is highly sensitive to differences between estimated and actual cash flows and changes in the related discount rate used to evaluate the fair value of the reporting units and trade name.
 
36

 
 
In 2016, we elected to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed to the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment assessment for our Fleet Vehicles and Services reporting unit. The estimated fair value of this reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by 115% as of October 1, 2016, the most recent annual assessment date. Based on the discounted cash flow valuation at October 1, 2016, an increase in the WACC for the reporting unit of 500 basis points would not result in impairment.
 
The acquired Utilimaster trade name has an indefinite life as it is anticipated that it will contribute to our cash flows indefinitely. The estimated fair value of our Utilimaster trade name exceeded its associated carrying value of $2.9 million by 505% as of October 1, 2016. Accordingly, there was no impairment recorded on this trade name. Based on the discounted cash flow valuations at October 1, 2016, an increase in the WACC used for this impairment analysis of 500 basis points would not result in impairment in the trade name.
 
At December 31, 2014, our indefinite lived intangible assets included the Classic Fire trade name. During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, we determined that, based on updated sales forecasts for our Classic line of emergency response vehicles, it was more likely than not that our Classic Fire trade name intangible asset was impaired. Accordingly, we conducted an impairment test by comparing the discounted future cash flows expected to result from our ownership of the trade name with its carrying cost at September 30, 2015. The result of this analysis showed that the carrying cost of the Classic Fire trade name, which was recorded as an asset of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment exceeded its fair value. Accordingly, an impairment charge of $0.6 million was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2015 to reduce the carrying cost of the trade name to its estimated fair value.
 
See Note 5, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further details on our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
 
We cannot predict the occurrence of certain events or changes in circumstances that might adversely affect the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Such events may include, but are not limited to, the impact of the general economic environment; a material negative change in relationships with significant customers; or strategic decisions made in response to economic and competitive conditions; and other risk factors as detailed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Warranties 
Our policy is to record a provision for the estimated cost of warranty-related claims at the time of the sale, and periodically adjust the warranty liability to reflect actual experience. The amount of warranty liability accrued reflects actual historical warranty cost, which is accumulated on specific identifiable units. From that point, there is a projection of the expected future cost of honoring our obligations under the warranty agreements. Historically, the cost of fulfilling our warranty obligations has principally involved replacement parts and labor for field retrofit campaigns and recalls, which increase the reserve. Our estimates are based on historical experience, the number of units involved and the extent of features and components included in product models. See Note 10,  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information regarding warranties.

Provision for Income Taxes 
We account for income taxes under a method that requires deferred income tax assets and liabilities to be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Authoritative guidance also requires deferred income tax assets, which include state tax credit carryforwards, operating loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized.
 
We evaluate the likelihood of realizing our deferred income tax assets by assessing our valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of such allowance, if necessary. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization include our forecast of future taxable income, the projected reversal of temporary differences and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred income tax assets.
 
We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities. The determination is based on the technical merits of the position and presumes that each uncertain tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Although management believes the estimates are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the historical income tax provisions and accruals.
 
37

 
 
Interest and penalties attributable to income taxes are recorded as a component of income taxes.

New and Pending Accounting Policies
 
See Note 1, General and Summary of Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Effect of Inflation
 
Inflation affects us in two principal ways. First, our revolving credit agreement is generally tied to the prime and LIBOR interest rates so that increases in those interest rates would be translated into additional interest expense. Second, general inflation impacts prices paid for labor, parts and supplies. Whenever possible, we attempt to cover increased costs of production and capital by adjusting the prices of our products. However, we generally do not attempt to negotiate inflation-based price adjustment provisions into our contracts. Since order lead times can be as much as nine months, we have limited ability to pass on cost increases to our customers on a short-term basis. In addition, the markets we serve are competitive in nature, and competition limits our ability to pass through cost increases in many cases. We strive to minimize the effect of inflation through cost reductions and improved productivity.

Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	
 
Our primary market risk exposure is a change in interest rates and the effect of such a change on outstanding variable rate short-term and long-term debt. At December 31, 2016, we had no debt outstanding under our variable rate short-term and long-term debt agreements. In January 2017 we borrowed $32.8 million from our existing revolving credit facility. An increase of 100 basis points in interest rates would result in additional interest expense of $0.3 million on an annualized basis for the floating rate debt that we incurred in January 2017. We believe that we have sufficient financial resources to accommodate this hypothetical increase in interest rates. We do not enter into market-risk-sensitive instruments for trading or other purposes.
 
We do not believe that there has been a material change in the nature or categories of the primary market risk exposures or the particular markets that present our primary risk of loss. As of the date of this report, we do not know of or expect any material changes in the general nature of our primary market risk exposure in the near term. In this discussion, “near term” means a period of one year following the date of the most recent balance sheet contained in this report.
 
Prevailing interest rates and interest rate relationships are primarily determined by market factors that are beyond our control. All information provided in response to this item consists of forward-looking statements. Reference is made to the section captioned “Forward-Looking Statements” before Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the limitations on our responsibility for such statements.
 
38

 
 
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.	
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Spartan Motors, Inc.
Charlotte, Michigan
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Spartan Motors, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. In connection with our audits of the financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index in Item 15(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Spartan Motors, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Spartan Motors, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)  issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 3, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
 
Grand Rapids, Michigan
March 3, 2017
 
39

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Spartan Motors, Inc.
Charlotte, Michigan
 
We have audited Spartan Motors, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in  Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)  issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Spartan Motors, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Spartan Motors, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the COSO criteria.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Spartan Motors, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 and our report dated March 3, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
 
Grand Rapids, Michigan
March 3, 2017
 
40

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value) 
 
 	 	December 31,	 	 	December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	
ASSETS	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	 	$	32,041	 	 	$	32,701	 	
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $487 and $130	 	 	65,441	 	 	 	56,617	 	
Inventories	 	 	58,896	 	 	 	60,558	 	
Income taxes receivable	 	 	1,287	 	 	 	1,755	 	
Other current assets	 	 	4,526	 	 	 	3,506	 	
Total current assets	 	 	162,191	 	 	 	155,137	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Property, plant and equipment, net	 	 	53,116	 	 	 	47,320	 	
Goodwill	 	 	15,961	 	 	 	15,961	 	
Intangible assets, net	 	 	6,385	 	 	 	7,093	 	
Other assets	 	 	2,331	 	 	 	1,996	 	
Net deferred tax asset	 	 	3,310	 	 	 	644	 	
TOTAL ASSETS	 	$	243,294	 	 	$	228,151	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Accounts payable	 	$	31,336	 	 	$	27,318	 	
Accrued warranty	 	 	19,334	 	 	 	16,610	 	
Accrued compensation and related taxes	 	 	13,188	 	 	 	8,684	 	
Deposits from customers	 	 	16,142	 	 	 	13,095	 	
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses	 	 	7,659	 	 	 	6,603	 	
Current portion of long-term debt	 	 	65	 	 	 	63	 	
Total current liabilities	 	 	87,724	 	 	 	72,373	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other non-current liabilities	 	 	2,544	 	 	 	2,163	 	
Long-term debt, less current portion	 	 	74	 	 	 	5,124	 	
Total liabilities	 	 	90,342	 	 	 	79,660	 	
Commitments and contingencies	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Shareholders' equity:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Preferred stock, no par value: 2,000 shares authorized (none issued)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 34,383 and 34,271 outstanding	 	 	344	 	 	 	343	 	
Additional paid in capital	 	 	76,837	 	 	 	76,472	 	
Retained earnings	 	 	76,428	 	 	 	72,326	 	
Total Spartan Motors, Inc. shareholders’ equity	 	 	153,609	 	 	 	149,141	 	
Non-controlling interest	 	 	(657	)	 	 	(650	)	
Total shareholders' equity	 	 	152,952	 	 	 	148,491	 	
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	 	$	243,294	 	 	$	228,151	 	
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
41

 
 	
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES	
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS	
(In thousands, except per share data)	
 	
 	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Sales	 	$	590,777	 	 	$	550,414	 	 	$	506,764	 	
Cost of products sold	 	 	518,113	 	 	 	502,783	 	 	 	450,702	 	
Restructuring charges	 	 	136	 	 	 	519	 	 	 	808	 	
Gross profit	 	 	72,528	 	 	 	47,112	 	 	 	55,254	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Research and development	 	 	6,772	 	 	 	4,560	 	 	 	3,851	 	
Selling, general and administrative	 	 	56,172	 	 	 	52,695	 	 	 	51,205	 	
Restructuring charges	 	 	959	 	 	 	2,336	 	 	 	1,349	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	63,903	 	 	 	59,591	 	 	 	56,405	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating income (loss)	 	 	8,625	 	 	 	(12,479	)	 	 	(1,151	)	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest expense	 	 	(410	)	 	 	(365	)	 	 	(341	)	
Interest and other income	 	 	488	 	 	 	244	 	 	 	418	 	
Total other income (expense)	 	 	78	 	 	 	(121	)	 	 	77	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income (loss) before taxes	 	 	8,703	 	 	 	(12,600	)	 	 	(1,074	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income tax expense (benefit)	 	 	100	 	 	 	4,880	 	 	 	(2,103	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net earnings (loss)	 	 	8,603	 	 	 	(17,480	)	 	 	1,029	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	 	 	(7	)	 	 	(508	)	 	 	(144	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors, Inc.	 	$	8,610	 	 	$	(16,972	)	 	$	1,173	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic net earnings (loss) per share	 	$	0.25	 	 	$	(0.50	)	 	$	0.03	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share	 	$	0.25	 	 	$	(0.50	)	 	$	0.03	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	 	 	34,405	 	 	 	33,826	 	 	 	34,251	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	 	 	34,405	 	 	 	33,826	 	 	 	34,256	 	
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
42

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(In thousands, except per share data)

 	 	Number of	 	 	Common	 	 	Additional	 	 	Retained	 	 	Non-
Controlling	 	 	Total
Shareholders'	 	
 	 	Shares	 	 	Stock	 	 	Paid In Capital	 	 	Earnings	 	 	Interest	 	 	Equity	 	
Balance at December 31, 2013	 	 	34,210	 	 	$	342	 	 	$	75,075	 	 	$	96,132	 	 	$	2	 	 	$	171,551	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Issuance of common stock and the tax impact of stock incentive plan transactions	 	 	25	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(159	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(159	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Dividends declared ($0.10 per share)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(3,427	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	(3,427	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Purchase and retirement of common stock	 	 	(382	)	 	 	(3	)	 	 	(843	)	 	 	(1,154	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	(2,000	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellation	 	 	241	 	 	 	2	 	 	 	(2	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Stock based compensation expense related
to restricted stock	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,624	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,624	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net earnings (loss)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,173	 	 	 	(144	)	 	 	1,029	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance at December 31, 2014	 	 	34,094	 	 	 	341	 	 	 	75,695	 	 	 	92,724	 	 	 	(142	)	 	 	168,618	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Issuance of common stock and the tax impact of stock incentive plan transactions	 	 	13	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(419	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(419	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Dividends declared ($0.10 per share)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(3,426	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	(3,426	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellation	 	 	164	 	 	 	2	 	 	 	(2	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Stock based compensation expense related
to restricted stock	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,198	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,198	 	

Net loss	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(16,972	)	 	 	(508	)	 	 	(17,480	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance at December 31, 2015	 	 	34,271	 	 	 	343	 	 	 	76,472	 	 	 	72,326	 	 	 	(650	)	 	 	148,491	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Issuance of common stock and the tax impact of stock incentive plan transactions	 	 	16	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(234	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(234	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Dividends declared ($0.10 per share)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(3,444	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	(3,444	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Purchase and retirement of common stock	 	 	(422	)	 	 	(4	)	 	 	(932	)	 	 	(1,064	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	(2,000	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellation	 	 	518	 	 	 	5	 	 	 	(5	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Stock based compensation expense related
to restricted stock	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,536	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,536	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net earnings (loss)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	8,610	 	 	 	(7	)	 	 	8,603	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance at December 31, 2016	 	 	34,383	 	 	$	344	 	 	$	76,837	 	 	$	76,428	 	 	$	(657	)	 	$	152,952	 	
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
43

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
 	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
Cash flows from operating activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net earnings (loss)	 	$	8,603	 	 	$	(17,480	)	 	$	1,029	 	
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Depreciation and amortization	 	 	7,903	 	 	 	7,437	 	 	 	8,378	 	
Gain on disposal of assets	 	 	(13	)	 	 	(24	)	 	 	(191	)	
Impairment of assets	 	 	406	 	 	 	2,234	 	 	 	-	 	
Accruals for warranty	 	 	12,989	 	 	 	15,388	 	 	 	6,533	 	
Expense from changes in fair value of contingent consideration	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	742	 	
Tax benefit related to stock incentive plan transactions	 	 	123	 	 	 	44	 	 	 	100	 	
Deferred income taxes	 	 	(2,666	)	 	 	5,147	 	 	 	(2,265	)	
Stock based compensation related to stock awards	 	 	1,536	 	 	 	1,198	 	 	 	1,624	 	
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Accounts receivable	 	 	(8,824	)	 	 	(8,255	)	 	 	(802	)	
Inventories	 	 	1,662	 	 	 	10,605	 	 	 	10,256	 	
Income taxes receivable	 	 	468	 	 	 	(59	)	 	 	(55	)	
Other assets	 	 	(1,020	)	 	 	155	 	 	 	(1,370	)	
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Accounts payable	 	 	4,018	 	 	 	4,556	 	 	 	(7,763	)	
Cash paid for warranty repairs	 	 	(10,265	)	 	 	(8,015	)	 	 	(4,875	)	
Accrued compensation and related taxes	 	 	4,504	 	 	 	458	 	 	 	1,786	 	
Deposits from customers	 	 	3,047	 	 	 	1,571	 	 	 	(6,482	)	
Payment of contingent consideration on acquisitions	 	 	-	 	 	 	(1,338	)	 	 	(86	)	
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses	 	 	1,056	 	 	 	(707	)	 	 	35	 	
Taxes on income	 	 	(76	)	 	 	(15	)	 	 	(88	)	
Total adjustments	 	 	14,848	 	 	 	30,380	 	 	 	5,477	 	
Net cash provided by operating activities	 	 	23,451	 	 	 	12,900	 	 	 	6,506	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash flows from investing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	 	 	(13,410	)	 	 	(4,895	)	 	 	(3,463	)	
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	 	 	25	 	 	 	208	 	 	 	648	 	
Net cash used in investing activities	 	 	(13,385	)	 	 	(4,687	)	 	 	(2,815	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash flows from financing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Borrowings under credit facilities	 	 	-	 	 	 	15,244	 	 	 	2,191	 	
Payments on credit facilities	 	 	-	 	 	 	(15,244	)	 	 	(2,191	)	
Proceeds from long-term debt	 	 	10	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
Payments on long-term debt	 	 	(5,058	)	 	 	(75	)	 	 	(80	)	
Payment of contingent consideration on acquisitions	 	 	-	 	 	 	(162	)	 	 	(162	)	
Purchase and retirement of common stock	 	 	(2,000	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	(2,000	)	
Net cash used in the exercise, vesting or cancellation of stock incentive awards	 	 	(111	)	 	 	(375	)	 	 	(59	)	
Cash paid related to tax impact of stock incentive plan transactions	 	 	(123	)	 	 	(44	)	 	 	(100	)	
Payment of dividends	 	 	(3,444	)	 	 	(3,426	)	 	 	(3,427	)	
Net cash used in financing activities	 	 	(10,726	)	 	 	(4,082	)	 	 	(5,828	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	 	 	(660	)	 	 	4,131	 	 	 	(2,137	)	
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	 	 	32,701	 	 	 	28,570	 	 	 	30,707	 	
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	 	$	32,041	 	 	$	32,701	 	 	$	28,570	 	
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
44

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
NOTE 1 - GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Nature of Operations. Spartan Motors, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, or “us”) is a custom engineer and manufacturer of specialized motor vehicle chassis and bodies. Our principal chassis markets are emergency response vehicles, motor homes and other specialty vehicles. We also have various subsidiaries that are manufacturers of bodies for various markets including emergency response vehicles and fleet vehicles.
 
Our operating activities are conducted through our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Spartan Motors USA, Inc. (“Spartan USA”), with locations in Charlotte, Michigan; Brandon, South Dakota; Ephrata, Pennsylvania; and Bristol, Indiana, along with contract manufacturing in Kansas City, Missouri and Saltillo, Mexico. Spartan USA was formerly known as Crimson Fire, Inc.
 
We recently completed a corporate reorganization. On July 1, 2015, our former Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. subsidiary (which operated our Charlotte, Michigan location) and our former Crimson Fire Aerials, Inc. subsidiary (which operated our Ephrata, Pennsylvania location) were merged into Spartan USA. On January 1, 2016, our former Utilimaster Corporation subsidiary (which operated our Bristol, Indiana location) was also merged into Spartan USA. These transactions were completed to consolidate our U.S. operations into a single subsidiary and to simplify our corporate structure.
 
Our Charlotte, Michigan location manufactures heavy duty chassis and vehicles and supplies aftermarket parts and accessories under the Spartan Chassis and Spartan ERV brand names. Our Brandon, South Dakota and Ephrata, Pennsylvania locations manufacture emergency response vehicles under the Spartan ERV brand name, while our Bristol, Indiana location manufactures vehicles used in the parcel delivery, mobile retail and trades and construction industries, and supplies related aftermarket parts and services under the Utilimaster brand name. Our Kansas City, Missouri and Saltillo, Mexico locations sell and install equipment used in fleet vehicles. Spartan USA is also a participant in Spartan-Gimaex Innovations, LLC (“Spartan-Gimaex”), a 50/50 joint venture with Gimaex Holding, Inc. that was formed to provide emergency response vehicles for the domestic and international markets. Spartan-Gimaex is reported as a consolidated subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. In February 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. mutually agreed to begin discussions regarding the dissolution of the joint venture. In June 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. entered into court proceedings to determine the terms of the dissolution. In February 2017, by agreement of the parties, the court proceeding was dismissed with prejudice and the judge entered an order to this effect as the parties agreed to seek a dissolution plan on their own.  No dissolution terms have been determined as of the date of this Form 10-K.
 
Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiary, Spartan USA. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
 
Non-Controlling Interest
At December 31, 2016, Spartan USA held a 50% share in Spartan-Gimaex, however, due to the management and operational structure of the joint venture, Spartan USA was considered to have had the ability to control the operations of Spartan-Gimaex. Accordingly, Spartan-Gimaex is reported as a consolidated subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc., within the Emergency Response Vehicles segment.
 
Use of Estimates. In the preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting Principles (“GAAP”), management uses estimates and makes judgments and assumptions that affect asset and liability values and the amounts reported as income and expense during the periods presented. Certain of these estimates, judgments and assumptions, such as the allowance for credit losses, warranty expenses, impairment assessments of tangible and intangible assets, and the provision for income taxes, are particularly sensitive. If actual results are different from estimates used by management, they may have a material impact on the financial statements.
 
Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 605. Accordingly, revenue is recognized when title to the product and risk of ownership passes to the buyer. In certain instances, risk of ownership and title passes when the product has been completed in accordance with purchase order specifications and has been tendered for delivery to the customer. On certain customer requested bill and hold transactions, revenue recognition occurs prior to the products being delivered to the buyer. We enter into such transactions when there is a valid business reason and the buyer has committed to the purchase. At the time revenue is recognized, the customer has been notified that the products have been completed according to their specifications, the products have passed all of our quality control inspections and are ready for delivery and the customer has accepted all of the risks of ownership. All sales are shown net of returns, discounts and sales incentive programs, which historically have not been significant. Rebates for certain product sales, which are known and accrued at time of sale, are reflected as a reduction of revenue. Service revenue is immaterial at less than one percent of total sales. The collectability of any related receivable is reasonably assured before revenue is recognized.
 
Business Combinations. When acquiring other businesses we recognize identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values, and separately from any goodwill that may be required to be recognized. Goodwill, when recognizable, is measured as the excess amount of any consideration transferred, which is measured at fair value, over the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Acquisition gain, when recognizable, is measured as the excess of the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the acquisition date fair value of any consideration transferred.
 
45

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Accounting for such acquisitions requires us to make significant assumptions and estimates and, although we believe any estimates and assumptions we make are reasonable and appropriate at the time they are made, unanticipated events and circumstances may arise that affect their accuracy, which may cause actual results to differ from those estimated by us. When necessary, we will adjust the values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed against the goodwill or acquisition gain, as initially recorded, for a period of up to one year after the acquisition date.
 
Costs incurred to effect an acquisition, such as legal, accounting, valuation or other third party costs, as well as internal general and administrative costs incurred are charged to expense in the periods incurred.
 
Shipping and Handling of Products. Costs incurred related to the shipment and handling of products are classified in cost of products sold. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling of products are included in sales.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents include cash on hand, cash on deposit, treasuries and money market funds. We consider all investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
Accounts Receivable. Our receivables are subject to credit risk, and we do not typically require collateral on our accounts receivable. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and generally require a security interest in the products sold. Receivables generally are due within 30 to 60 days. We maintain an allowance for customer accounts that reduces receivables to amounts that are expected to be collected. In estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts, management makes certain assumptions regarding the risk of uncollectable open receivable accounts. This risk factor is applied to the balance on accounts that are aged over 90 days: generally this reserve has an estimated range from 10-25%. The risk percentage applied to the aged accounts may change based on conditions such as: general economic conditions, industry-specific economic conditions, historical and anticipated customer performance, historical experience with write-offs and the level of past-due amounts from year to year. However, generally our assumptions are consistent year-over-year and there has been little adjustment made to the percentages used. In addition, in the event there are certain known risk factors with an open account, we may increase the allowance to include estimated losses on such “specific” account balances. The “specific” reserves are identified by a periodic review of the aged accounts receivable. If there is an account in question, credit checks are made and there is communication with the customer, along with other means to try to assess if a specific reserve is required. The inclusion of the “specific” reserve has caused the greatest fluctuation in the allowance for doubtful accounts balance historically. Past due accounts are written off when collectability is determined to be no longer assured.
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market. Estimated inventory allowances for slow-moving inventory are based upon current assessments about future demands, market conditions and related management initiatives. If market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory allowances may be required.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment is stated at cost and the related assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives on a straight line basis for financial statement purposes and an accelerated method for income tax purposes. Cost includes an amount of interest associated with significant capital projects. Estimated useful lives range from 20 to 31.5 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 15 years for plant machinery and equipment, 3 to 7 years for furniture and fixtures and 3 to 5 years for vehicles. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to earnings, while expenditures that increase asset lives are capitalized. We review our property, plant and equipment, along with all other long-lived assets that have finite lives, including finite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Assets held-for-sale are recorded at the lower of historical depreciated cost or the estimated fair value less costs to sell. See Note 6,  Property, Plant and Equipment  for further information on our property and equipment.
 
Related Party Transactions. We purchase certain components used in the manufacture of our products from parties that could be considered related to us because one or more of our executive officers or board members is also an executive officer or board member of the related party. See Note 17,  Related Party Transactions , for more information regarding our transactions with related parties.
 
46

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized, but are subject to impairment tests on an annual basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is allocated to the reporting unit from which it was created. A reporting unit is an operating segment or sub-segment to which goodwill is assigned when initially recorded. We review indefinite lived intangible assets annually for impairment by comparing the carrying value of those assets to their fair value.
 
Other intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
 
We perform our annual goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets impairment test as of October 1 and monitor for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis. For goodwill we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Under authoritative guidance, we are not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed to the first step of the two-step impairment test.
 
If we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit, or if after completing the assessment we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a two-step impairment test, whereby the first step is comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined by estimating the future cash flows of the reporting unit to which the goodwill relates, and then discounting the future cash flows at a market-participant-derived weighted-average cost of capital (“WACC”). In determining the estimated future cash flows, we consider current and projected future levels of income based on our plans for that business; business trends, prospects and market and economic conditions; and market-participant considerations. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered to not be impaired and the second step of the test is not performed. The second step of the impairment test is performed if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, in which case the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is compared with the carrying amount of that goodwill based on a hypothetical allocation of the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its underlying assets and liabilities. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
 
We evaluate the recoverability of our indefinite lived intangible asset, which consists of our Utilimaster trade name, based on estimates of future royalty payments that are avoided through our ownership of the trade name, discounted to their present value. In determining the estimated fair value of the trade name, we consider current and projected future levels of revenue based on our plans for Utilimaster, business trends, prospects and market and economic conditions.
 
Significant judgments inherent in these assessments and analyses include assumptions about macroeconomic and industry conditions, appropriate sales growth rates, WACC and the amount of expected future net cash flows. The judgments and assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are generally consistent with the projections and assumptions that are used in current operating plans. Such assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. The determination of fair value is highly sensitive to differences between estimated and actual cash flows and changes in the related discount rate used to evaluate the fair value of the reporting units and trade names.
 
See Note 5, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for further details on our goodwill and other intangible assets.
 
Warranties. Our policy is to record a provision for the estimated cost of warranty-related claims at the time of the sale, and periodically adjust the warranty liability to reflect actual experience. The amount of warranty liability accrued reflects management’s best estimate of the expected future cost of honoring our obligations under the warranty agreements. Expense related to warranty liabilities accrued for product sales, as well as adjustments to pre-existing warranty liabilities, are reflected within Cost of products sold on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Our estimates are based on historical experience, the number of units involved and the extent of features and components included in product models. See Note 10, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities , for further information regarding warranties.
 
Deposits from Customers. We sometimes receive advance payments from customers for product orders and record these amounts as liabilities. We accept such deposits when presented by customers seeking improved pricing in connection with orders that are placed for products to be manufactured and sold at a future date. Revenue associated with these deposits is deferred and recognized upon shipment of the related product to the customer.
 
47

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Research and Development. Our research and development costs, which consist of compensation costs, travel and entertainment, administrative expenses and new product development among other items, are expensed as incurred.
 
Taxes on Income. We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent tax expense recognized for which payment has been deferred, or expenses which have been deducted in our tax returns but which have not yet been recognized as an expense in our financial statements.
 
We establish valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets in accordance with GAAP, which provides that such valuation allowances shall be established unless realization of the income tax benefits is more likely than not. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. At each reporting period, we consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, available taxes in carryback periods, tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income in making this assessment.
 
We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities. The determination is based on the technical merits of the position and presumes that each uncertain tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Although we believe the estimates are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the historical income tax provisions and accruals.
 
Interest and penalties attributable to income taxes are recorded as a component of income taxes.
 
See Note 8, Taxes on Income, for further details on our income taxes.
 
Earnings(Loss)Per Share. Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares, share equivalents of stock appreciation rights (“SAR”s) and participating securities outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share also include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable from stock options and are determined using the treasury stock method. Basic earnings per share represents net earnings divided by basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the average dilutive effect of our SARs outstanding during the period determined using the treasury stock method. Diluted earnings per share represents net earnings divided by diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding, which includes the average dilutive effect of our stock options outstanding during the period. Our unvested stock awards are included in the number of shares outstanding for both basic and diluted earnings per share calculations, unless a net loss is reported, in which situation unvested stock awards are excluded from the number of shares outstanding for both basic and diluted earnings per share calculations. See Note 15,  Earnings Per Share, for further details.
 
Stock Incentive Plans. Share based payment compensation costs for equity-based awards is measured on the grant date based on the fair value of the award at that date, and is recognized over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures. Fair value of stock option and stock appreciation rights awards are estimated using a closed option valuation (Black-Scholes) model. Fair value of restricted stock awards is based upon the quoted market price of the common stock on the date of grant. Our incentive stock plans are described in more detail in Note 13,  Stock Based Compensation .
 
Fair Value. We are required to disclose the estimated fair value of our financial instruments. The carrying value at December 31, 2016 and 2015 of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair value due to their short term nature. The carrying value of variable rate debt instruments approximate their fair value based on their relative terms and market rates.
 
Reclassifications. Certain engineering costs related to routine product changes, that, prior to 2015, were classified within Research and development expense, have been classified within Cost of products sold on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in order to more consistently align the results of our individual business units. Expenses of $7,825 for 2014 have been reclassified accordingly. See our discussion on Accounting Standards Update 2015-17 below for information on reclassifications related to our adoption of this standard in 2016. Certain other immaterial amounts in the prior periods’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported Net earnings (loss), Total assets, Total shareholders’ equity or cash flows.

 
 
48

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Segment Reporting. We identify our reportable segments based on our management structure and the financial data utilized by the chief operating decision makers to assess segment performance and allocate resources among our operating units. We have three reportable segments: Emergency Response Vehicles, Fleet Vehicles and Services, and Specialty Chassis and Vehicles. More detailed information about our reportable segments can be found in Note 16,  Business Segments .
 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information. Cash paid for interest was $309, $374 and $327 for 2016, 2015 and 2014. Cash paid (received) for income taxes, net of refunds, was $2,232, $(18) and $1,168 for 2016, 2015 and 2014.
 
New Accounting Standards
 
In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-4,  Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment  (“ASU 2017-4”). ASU 2017-4 eliminates the requirement to determine the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit to measure goodwill impairment. Under the amendments in the new ASU, goodwill impairment testing will be performed by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The new standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and should be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for annual or interim goodwill impairment testing performed after January 1, 2017. We believe that that the adoption of the provisions of ASU 2017-04 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business  (“ASU 2017-01”), which provides guidance to entities to assist with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities (collectively, the "set") is a business and provides a screen to determine when a set is not a business. Under the new guidance, when substantially all of the fair value of gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset, or group of similar assets, the assets acquired would not represent a business. Also, to be considered a business, an acquisition would have to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to produce outputs. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and should be applied on a prospective basis to any transactions occurring within the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual periods in which the financial statements have not been issued. We believe that the adoption of the provisions of ASU 2017-01 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in current practice regarding the manner in which certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the cash flow statement. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We believe that that the adoption of the provisions of ASU 2016-15 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments  ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 is intended to introduce a revised approach to the recognition and measurement of credit losses, emphasizing an updated model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. The provisions of this standard are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. We believe that that the adoption of the provisions of ASU 2016-13 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies the accounting for a stock payment’s tax consequences by requiring the recognition of the income tax effects of awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. It also allows a company to elect to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than on an estimated basis and revises the classification of certain tax payments related to stock compensation on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The impact of our adoption of ASU 2016-09 for the year ending December 31, 2017 will depend on market factors and the timing and intrinsic value of future stock based compensation award vesting.
 
49

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02,  Leases  (“ASU 2016-02”). The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes  (“ASU 2015-17”). ASU 2015-17 requires net deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Prior to adoption of the new standard, net deferred tax assets and liabilities were presented separately as current and non-current on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. We retrospectively adopted ASU 2015-17 as of the second quarter of 2016. As a result, we reclassified $3,164 of Deferred income tax assets (current) to Deferred income taxes, net (non-current) and $2,520 from Deferred income tax liabilities to Deferred income taxes, net. The December 31, 2015 balances in Total current assets decreased by $3,164, Other assets increased by $644 and Total assets and Total liabilities both decreased by $2,520.
 
In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330) - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory  (“ASU 2015-11”). ASU 2015-11 requires entities that measure inventory using the FIFO or average cost methods to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value to more closely align the measurement of inventory in GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards. Net realizable value is defined as estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion and disposal. ASU 2015-11 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. We do not believe the adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02 Consolidation (Topic 810), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis  (“ASU 2015-02”). ASU 2015-02 modifies the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The amendments under the new guidance modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) or voting interest entities, eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs. ASU 2015-02 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the provisions of ASU 2015-02 had no impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. Early adoption for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 is permitted. On August 12, 2015, FASB delayed the effective date to give companies an extra year to implement the standard. The standard will be effective in 2018, but companies will have the option of adopting it as of the original 2017 effective date. We have begun the process of analyzing the impact of ASU 2014-09 and the related ASU’s across all revenue streams to evaluate the impact of the new standard on revenue contracts. Based on the analysis completed to date, we expect the impact on our accounting for revenue to remain substantially unchanged. We currently expect to adopt the new standard using the modified retrospective approach, under which the cumulative effect of the initial application of the new guidance will be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, in the first quarter of 2018.
 
50

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)  (“ASU 2016-08”). ASU 2016-08 clarifies the implementation guidance for principal-versus-agent considerations in the revenue recognition standard. A principal-versus-agent consideration applies to sales that involve two or more suppliers to a customer. Each participant in the sale must determine whether they control the good or service and are entitled to the gross amount of the transaction or are acting as an agent and should collect only a fee or commission for arranging the sale. ASU 2016-08 will go into effect when the revenue standard issued in ASU 2014-09 becomes effective.
 
In April 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing  (“ASU 2016-10”). ASU 2016-10 clarifies the implementation guidance in Topic 606 for identifying performance obligations and determining when to recognize revenue on licensing agreements for intellectual property. ASU 2016-10 removes the requirement to assess whether promised goods or services are performance obligations if they are immaterial to the contract with the customer and allows an entity to elect to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of a good as an activity to fulfill the promise to transfer the good rather than as an additional promised service. ASU 2016-10 also includes implementation guidance on determining whether a license granted by an entity provides a customer with a right to use the intellectual property, which is satisfied at a point in time, or a right to access the intellectual property, which is satisfied over time. ASU 2016-10 will go into effect when the revenue standard issued in ASU 2014-09 becomes effective.
 
In May 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients  (“ASU 2016-12”). ASU 2016-12 clarifies the implementation guidance on assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes, non-cash consideration and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition. ASU 2016-12 will go into effect when the revenue standard issued in ASU 2014-09 becomes effective.

NOTE 2 - ACQUISITION ACTIVITIES (Subsequent Event)
 
On January 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Smeal Properties, Inc., Ladder Tower Co., and U.S. Tanker Co. pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2016. When used in these Notes, “ Smeal” refers to the assets, liabilities and operations acquired from these entities. Smeal will be included within our Emergency Response Vehicles segment.
 
This acquisition will bring significant scale to our Emergency Response Vehicles segment, expand the geographic reach of our dealer network and add complementary products to our existing emergency response product portfolio.

51

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Purchase Price 
The estimated total purchase price paid for our acquisition of Smeal was $42,550. The consideration paid consisted of $28,958 in cash, net of cash acquired of $3,825, and the forgiveness of certain liabilities owed by the former owners of Smeal to the Company in the amount of $7,397. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, the sellers may receive additional consideration in the form of a tax gross-up payment, which is payable no later than April 1, 2018, and is not expected to exceed $2,400. The consideration paid is subject to certain post-closing adjustments, including a net working capital adjustment that we expect to finalize in the second quarter of 2017.
 
This acquisition will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting with the purchase price allocated to the assets purchased and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
 
We are unable to present the supplemental pro forma revenue and earnings of the Spartan and Smeal combined entity as of January 1, 2016 because the full year 2016 financial statements for Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. and subsidiaries are not yet available. We are unable to present the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed recognized at the acquisition date as the purchase accounting and valuation are in a preliminary stage and have not been audited.  

 
52

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Financing for the Acquisition
Our acquisition of Smeal was financed using $32,800 borrowed from our existing $100 million line of credit, as set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2016, by and among us and our affiliates, as borrowers; certain lenders; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent; and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner.
 
Acquisition Related Expenses
During 2016, we recorded pretax charges totaling $882 for legal expenses and other transaction costs related to the acquisition. These charges, which were expensed in accordance with the accounting guidance for business combinations, were recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” and reflected within the “Other” column in the 2016 business segment table in Note 16,  Business Segments . We expect to incur expenses totaling approximately $600 during 2017 for additional transaction and integration costs related to the acquisition.

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES
 
Inventories are summarized as follows:	 	December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Finished goods	 	$	12,743	 	 	$	16,812	 	
Work in process	 	 	14,063	 	 	 	11,691	 	
Raw materials and purchased components	 	 	35,458	 	 	 	35,285	 	
Reserve for slow-moving inventory	 	 	(3,368	)	 	 	(3,230	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total Inventory	 	$	58,896	 	 	$	60,558	 	
 
We also have a number of demonstration units as part of our sales and training program. These demonstration units are included in the “Finished goods” line item above, and amounted to $3,558 and $2,857 at December 31, 2016 and 2015. When the demonstration units are sold, the cost related to the demonstration unit is included in Cost of products sold on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
53

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 4 - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
 
During each of 2016, 2015 and 2014, we incurred restructuring charges related to the relocation of our Ocala, Florida manufacturing operations to our Charlotte, Michigan and Brandon, South Dakota facilities, along with efforts undertaken to upgrade production processes at our Brandon, South Dakota and Ephrata, Pennsylvania locations.
 
Restructuring charges included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, which were all related to our Emergency Response Vehicles segment, are as follows:
 
 	 	December 31,
2016	 	 	December 31,
2015	 	 	December 31,
2014	 	
Cost of products sold	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Inventory impairment	 	$	-	 	 	$	345	 	 	$	584	 	
Relocation/retention costs	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	93	 	
Production relocation/equipment impairment	 	 	136	 	 	 	174	 	 	 	-	 	
Accrual for severance	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	131	 	
Total cost of products sold	 	 	136	 	 	 	519	 	 	 	808	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
General and Administrative	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Manufacturing process reengineering	 	 	959	 	 	 	2,336	 	 	 	1,017	 	
Relocation/retention costs	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	298	 	
Accrual for severance	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	34	 	
Total general and administrative	 	 	959	 	 	 	2,336	 	 	 	1,349	 	
Total restructuring	 	$	1,095	 	 	$	2,855	 	 	$	2,157	 	

NOTE 5 - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
Goodwill
We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 1, or whenever an event or change in circumstances occurs that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. See “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” within Note 1,  General and Summary of Accounting Policies  for a description of our accounting policies regarding goodwill and other intangible assets.
 
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had recorded goodwill at our Fleet Vehicles and Services reportable segment, which was also determined to be a reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing. The goodwill recorded in the Fleet Vehicles & Services reporting unit was evaluated for impairment as of October 1, 2016 using a discounted cash flow valuation.
 
The estimated fair value of our Fleet Vehicles and Services reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 115% in 2016, indicating that the goodwill was not impaired. Based on the discounted cash flow valuation at October 1, 2016, an increase in the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) used for the Fleet Vehicles and Services reporting unit of 500 basis points would not result in impairment. As discussed in Note 1,  General and Summary of Accounting Policies , there are significant judgments inherent in our impairment assessments and discounted cash flow analyses. These discounted cash flow analyses are most sensitive to the WACC assumption.
 
54

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Our goodwill by reportable segment is as follows:
 
 	 	Emergency Response
Vehicles	 	 	Fleet Vehicles &
Services	 	 	Total	 	
 	 	December 31,	 	 	December 31,	 	 	December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	
Goodwill, beginning of year	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Impairment losses during the year	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
Goodwill, end of year	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Acquired goodwill	 	$	4,854	 	 	$	4,854	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	20,815	 	 	$	20,815	 	
Accumulated impairment	 	 	(4,854	)	 	 	(4,854	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(4,854	)	 	 	(4,854	)	
Goodwill, net	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	 	$	15,961	 	

Fleet Vehiclesand Servicessegmentintangible assets
At December 31, 2016, we had other intangible assets associated with our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment, including customer and dealer relationships, non-compete agreements, an acquired product development project and a trade name. The non-compete agreement, acquired product development project and certain other intangible assets are being amortized over their expected remaining useful lives based on the pattern of estimated after-tax operating income generated, or on a straight-line basis. Our Utilimaster trade name has an indefinite life, and is not amortized. We test our trade name for impairment at least annually, and test other intangible assets for impairment if impairment indicators are present.
 
We tested our Utilimaster trade name for impairment, as of October 1, 2016 and 2015, by estimating the fair value of the trade name based on estimates of future royalty payments that are avoided through our ownership of the trade name, discounted to their present value. The estimated fair value of our Utilimaster trade name at October 1, 2016 exceeded its carrying cost by 505%. Accordingly, there was no impairment recorded on this trade name. Based on the discounted cash flow valuation at October 1, 2016, an increase in the WACC used for this impairment analysis of 500 basis points would not result in impairment of the trade name.
 
Emergency Response Vehiclessegmentintangible assets
During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we determined that, based on updated sales forecasts for our Classic line of emergency response vehicles, it is more likely than not that our Classic Fire trade name intangible asset was impaired. Accordingly, we conducted an impairment test by comparing the discounted future cash flows expected to result from our ownership of the trade name with its carrying cost at September 30, 2015. The result of this analysis showed that the carrying cost of the Classic Fire trade name exceeded its fair value and the balance was entirely written off.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we determined that an asset group related to certain locations of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment may be impaired due to operating losses recorded in recent years, along with uncertainty regarding future financial performance at these locations. Accordingly, we conducted an impairment test on this asset group as of September 30, 2015 by comparing the non-discounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group with its carrying value, which resulted in a determination that the asset group was impaired.
 
55

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
We estimated the fair value of the intangible assets of this asset group by determining the discounted cash flows associated with benefits that we will receive or expenses we will avoid as a result of our ownership of these intangible assets. Impairment charges recorded within General and administrative in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations to adjust the carrying cost of these long-lived intangible assets to their estimated fair value at September 30, 2015 are as follows:
 
Asset Description	 	Impairment Charge	 	
Customer relationships	 	$	224	 	
Non-patented technology	 	 	209	 	
Classic Fire trade name	 	 	560	 	
Total General and administrative	 	$	993	 	

The following table provides information regarding our other intangible assets:
 
 	 	As of December 31, 2016	 	 	As of December 31, 2015	 	
 	 	Gross
carrying
amount	 	 	Accumulated amortization	 	 	Net	 	 	Gross
carrying
amount	 	 	Accumulated amortization	 	 	Net	 	
Customer and dealer relationships	 	$	6,170	 	 	$	3,348	 	 	$	2,822	 	 	$	6,170	 	 	$	2,986	 	 	$	3,184	 	
Acquired product development project	 	 	1,860	 	 	 	1,167	 	 	 	693	 	 	 	1,860	 	 	 	821	 	 	 	1,039	 	
Non-compete agreements	 	 	400	 	 	 	400	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	400	 	 	 	400	 	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Backlog	 	 	320	 	 	 	320	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	320	 	 	 	320	 	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Trade Names	 	 	2,870	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	2,870	 	 	 	2,870	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	2,870	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	11,620	 	 	$	5,235	 	 	$	6,385	 	 	$	11,620	 	 	$	4,527	 	 	$	7,093	 	
 
We recorded $708, $872 and $1,136 of intangible asset amortization expense during 2016, 2015 and 2014.
 
The estimated remaining amortization associated with finite-lived intangible assets is expected to be expensed as follows:
 
 	 	Amount	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
2017	 	$	683	 	
2018	 	 	666	 	
2019	 	 	299	 	
2020	 	 	273	 	
2021	 	 	249	 	
Thereafter	 	 	1,345	 	
Total	 	$	3,515	 	
 
56

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
NOTE 6 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property, plant and equipment are summarized by major classifications as follows:
 
 	 	December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	
Land and improvements	 	$	8,049	 	 	$	5,538	 	
Buildings and improvements	 	 	63,418	 	 	 	59,371	 	
Plant machinery and equipment	 	 	34,879	 	 	 	35,395	 	
Furniture and fixtures	 	 	12,954	 	 	 	15,897	 	
Vehicles	 	 	2,912	 	 	 	2,949	 	
Construction in process	 	 	7,876	 	 	 	5,566	 	
Subtotal	 	 	130,088	 	 	 	124,716	 	
Less accumulated depreciation	 	 	(76,972	)	 	 	(77,396	)	
Total property, plant and equipment, net	 	$	53,116	 	 	$	47,320	 	
 
We recorded depreciation expense of $7,195, $6,565 and $7,242 during 2016, 2015 and 2014. There were no capitalized interest costs in 2016 or 2015.
 
Construction in progress includes $6,624 and $4,604 at December 31, 2016 and 2015 for the implementation of our ERP system, which has been delayed from its original targeted go-live dates of 2013 through 2015. Work continues on the system, which is now expected to go live in phases in 2017 and 2018.
 
We review our long-lived assets that have finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
 
When reviewing long-lived assets for impairment, we group our long-lived assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we determined that an asset group related to certain locations of our Emergency Response Vehicles segment may be impaired due to operating losses recorded in recent years, along with uncertainty regarding future financial performance at these locations. Accordingly, we conducted an impairment test on this asset group as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 by comparing the non-discounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group with its carrying value, resulting in a determination that the asset group was impaired.
 
We estimated the fair value of our tangible long-lived assets of this asset group based on assessments or recent sale prices of similar assets. Impairment charges recorded within Cost of goods sold and General and administrative in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations to adjust the carrying cost of these long-lived tangible assets to their estimated fair value at September 30 are as follows:
 
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	
Cost of goods sold	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Machinery & equipment	 	$	406	 	 	$	1,013	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
General and administrative	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Office & computer equipment	 	 	-	 	 	 	228	 	
Total asset impairment	 	$	406	 	 	$	1,241	 	
 
57

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
NOTE 7 - LEASES
 
We lease certain office equipment, computer hardware, manufacturing equipment and manufacturing and warehouse space under operating lease agreements. Building leases generally provide that we pay the cost of utilities, insurance, taxes and maintenance. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $3,086, $2,876 and $2,286.
 
Future minimum operating lease commitments under non-cancelable leases are as follows:
 
Year	 	Future Minimum
Operating Lease
Payments	 	
2017	 	$	2,247	 	
2018	 	 	1,843	 	
2019	 	 	1,541	 	
2020	 	 	1,455	 	
2021	 	 	1,130	 	
Thereafter	 	 	73	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
Total	 	$	8,289	 	
 
We lease certain office equipment, computer hardware and material handling equipment under capital lease agreements. Cost and accumulated depreciation of capitalized leased assets included in machinery and equipment are $609 and $483, respectively, at December 31, 2016. Future minimum capital lease commitments under non-cancelable leases are as follows:

 
Year	 	Future Minimum
Capital Lease
Payments	 	
2017	 	$	71	 	
2018	 	 	45	 	
2019	 	 	33	 	
2020	 	 	-	 	
2021	 	 	-	 	
Thereafter	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
Total lease obligations, including imputed interest	 	 	149	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
Less imputed interest charges	 	 	(10	)	
 	 	 	 	 	
Total outstanding capital lease obligations	 	$	139	 	
 
58

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
NOTE 8 - TAXES ON INCOME
 
Income taxes consist of the following:
 
 	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
Current (credit):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federal	 	$	2,203	 	 	$	(520	)	 	$	269	 	
State	 	 	563	 	 	 	253	 	 	 	(107	)	
Total current	 	 	2,766	 	 	 	(267	)	 	 	162	 	
Deferred (credit):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federal	 	 	(2,666	)	 	 	3,994	 	 	 	(1,426	)	
State	 	 	-	 	 	 	1,153	 	 	 	(839	)	
Total deferred	 	 	(2,666	)	 	 	5,147	 	 	 	(2,265	)	
TOTAL TAXES ON INCOME	 	$	100	 	 	$	4,880	 	 	$	(2,103	)	
 
The current tax expense amounts differ from the actual amounts payable to the taxing authorities due to the tax impact associated with stock incentive plan transactions under the plans described in Note 13,  Stock Based Compensation . These adjustments were an addition of $123, $44 and $100 in 2016, 2015 and 2014. The adjustments to current taxes on income were recognized as adjustments of additional paid-in capital.
 
The deferred income tax credit at December 31, 2016 represents a net increase of our deferred tax assets to their realizable value.
 
Differences between the expected income tax expense derived from applying the federal statutory income tax rate to earnings from continuing operations before taxes on income and the actual tax expense are as follows:
 
 	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	 	Amount	 	 	Percentage	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federal income taxes at the statutory rate	 	$	2,959	 	 	 	34.00	%	 	$	(4,284	)	 	 	34.00	%	 	$	(365	)	 	 	34.00	%	
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deferred income tax adjustment	 	 	(51	)	 	 	(0.59	)	 	 	(156	)	 	 	1.24	 	 	 	(275	)	 	 	25.61	 	
Non-deductible compensation	 	 	459	 	 	 	5.27	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
Non-deductible NHTSA penalty	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	340	 	 	 	(2.70	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
Other nondeductible expenses	 	 	226	 	 	 	2.60	 	 	 	176	 	 	 	(1.39	)	 	 	449	 	 	 	(41.80	)	
State tax expense, net of federal income tax benefit	 	 	68	 	 	 	0.78	 	 	 	(79	)	 	 	0.63	 	 	 	(201	)	 	 	18.72	 	
Valuation allowance adjustment	 	 	(2,932	)	 	 	(33.69	)	 	 	9,472	 	 	 	(75.17	)	 	 	(505	)	 	 	47.02	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Unrecognized tax benefit adjustment, settlement and expiration of statute	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(172	)	 	 	1.36	 	 	 	(765	)	 	 	71.23	 	
Federal research and development tax credit	 	 	(801	)	 	 	(9.20	)	 	 	(364	)	 	 	2.89	 	 	 	(296	)	 	 	27.56	 	
Other	 	 	172	 	 	 	1.98	 	 	 	(53	)	 	 	0.41	 	 	 	(145	)	 	 	13.47	 	
TOTAL	 	$	100	 	 	 	1.15	%	 	$	4,880	 	 	 	(38.73	)%	 	$	(2,103	)	 	 	195.81	%	
 
59

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Temporary differences which give rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
 
 	 	December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	
Deferred income tax assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Warranty reserve	 	$	7,246	 	 	$	6,286	 	
Credit carry-forwards, net of federal income tax benefit	 	 	3,199	 	 	 	3,170	 	
Inventory costs and reserves	 	 	2,194	 	 	 	2,163	 	
Compensation related accruals	 	 	1,512	 	 	 	1,030	 	
Net operating loss carry-forwards, net of federal income tax benefit	 	 	1,029	 	 	 	1,108	 	
Stock based compensation	 	 	615	 	 	 	626	 	
Other intangible assets	 	 	232	 	 	 	(209	)	
Other	 	 	773	 	 	 	921	 	
Total deferred tax assets	 	$	16,800	 	 	$	15,095	 	

Deferred income tax liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Depreciation	 	$	(2,294	)	 	$	(551	)	
Trade name	 	 	(1,072	)	 	 	(999	)	
Prepaid insurance	 	 	(522	)	 	 	(367	)	
Total deferred income tax liabilities	 	$	(3,888	)	 	$	(1,917	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net deferred income tax assets	 	$	12,912	 	 	$	13,178	 	
Valuation allowance	 	 	(9,602	)	 	 	(12,534	)	
Net deferred tax asset	 	$	3,310	 	 	$	644	 	
 
We assessed the available positive and negative evidence to determine whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and recorded a valuation allowance of $9,602 and $12,534 against a portion of the deferred tax assets. A significant portion of negative evidence considered was the cumulative loss incurred over the three-year periods ending December 31, 2016 and 2015. The remaining residual value of $3,310 represents that portion of our deferred income tax assets that could generate future tax losses and be successfully carried back and offset against current year taxable income to recover taxes paid.
 
The determination of this valuation allowance took into account our deferred tax liability for a trade name assigned an indefinite life for book purposes in the amount of $1,072 and $999 at December 31, 2016 and 2015. This deferred tax liability was excluded from sources of future taxable income as the timing of its reversal cannot be predicted due to the indefinite life of the trade name, and thus cannot be used to offset the valuation allowance. However, we have also considered prudent and feasible tax planning strategies on certain appreciated property that may be entered into in the future.
 
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had state deferred income tax assets related to state tax net operating loss carry-forwards, of $1,560 and $1,678, which begin expiring in 2018. Also, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had deferred income tax assets related to federal and state tax credit carry-forwards of $4,846 and $4,824, which begin expiring in 2019. Due to accumulated losses in several state jurisdictions, we had recorded valuation allowances against certain deferred income tax assets aggregating $4,228 and $4,278 at December 31, 2016 and 2015.
 
60

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized tax benefits (“UTB”) for the three years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
 
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
Balance at January 1,	 	$	349	 	 	$	481	 	 	$	833	 	
Increase (decrease) related to prior year tax positions	 	 	(24	)	 	 	(73	)	 	 	73	 	
Increase related to current year tax positions	 	 	20	 	 	 	91	 	 	 	99	 	
Settlement	 	 	-	 	 	 	(110	)	 	 	-	 	
Expiration of statute	 	 	-	 	 	 	(40	)	 	 	(524	)	
Balance at December 31,	 	$	345	 	 	$	349	 	 	$	481	 	
 
As of December 31, 2016, we had an ending UTB balance of $345 along with $188 of interest and penalties, for a total liability of $533, with $82 recorded as a current liability and $451 recorded as a non-current liability based on the applicable statutes of limitations. The change in interest and penalties amounted to an increase of $133 in 2016, a decrease of $30 in 2015, and a decrease of $198 in 2014, which were reflected in Income tax expense (benefit) within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
As of December 31, 2016, we are no longer subject to examination by federal taxing authorities for 2012 and earlier years. 
 
We also file tax returns in a number of states and those jurisdictions remain subject to audit in accordance with relevant state statutes. These audits can involve complex issues that may require an extended period of time to resolve and may cover multiple years. To the extent we prevail in matters for which reserves have been established, or are required to pay amounts in excess of our reserves, our effective income tax rate in a given fiscal period could be impacted. However, we do not expect such impacts to be material to our financial statements. An unfavorable tax settlement would require use of our cash and could result in an increase in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. A favorable tax settlement could result in a reduction in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. We do not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase or decrease over the next twelve months.

NOTE 9 - TRANSACTIONS WITH MAJOR CUSTOMERS
 
Major customers are defined as those with sales greater than 10 percent of consolidated sales in a given year.
 
We had one customer classified as a major customer in 2016, 2015 and 2014 (Customer A), which was a customer of the Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment. Information about our major customer is as follows:
 
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	

Customer	 	

Sales	 	 	Accounts
Receivable
(at year end)	 	 	

Sales	 	 	Accounts
Receivable
(at year end)	 	 	

Sales	 	 	Accounts
Receivable
(at year end)	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Customer A	 	$	70,954	 	 	$	7,169	 	 	$	78,759	 	 	$	8,512	 	 	$	57,093	 	 	$	7,541	 	

NOTE 10 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
 
Under the terms of our credit agreement with our banks, we have the ability to issue letters of credit totaling $20,000. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $1,599 and $1,337 related to certain emergency response vehicle contracts and our workers compensation insurance.
 
At December 31, 2016, we and our subsidiaries were parties, both as plaintiff and defendant, to a number of lawsuits and claims arising out of the normal course of our business. In the opinion of management, our financial position, future operating results or cash flows will not be materially affected by the final outcome of these legal proceedings.
 
61

 
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Spartan-Gimaex joint venture
 
In February 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. mutually agreed to begin discussions regarding the dissolution of the Spartan-Gimaex joint venture. In June 2015, Spartan USA and Gimaex Holding, Inc. entered into court proceedings to determine the terms of the dissolution. In February 2017, by agreement of the parties, the court proceeding was dismissed with prejudice and the judge entered an order to this effect as the parties agreed to seek a dissolution plan on their own. No dissolution terms have been determined as of the date of this Form 10-K. In the fourth quarters of 2015 and 2014, we accrued charges totaling $982 and $235 to write down certain inventory items associated with this joint venture to their estimated fair values. Costs associated with the wind-down will be impacted by the final dissolution agreement. In accordance with accounting guidance, the costs we have accrued so far represent the low end of the range of the estimated total charges that we believe we may incur related to the wind-down. While we are unable to determine the final cost of the wind-down with certainty at this time, we may incur additional charges, depending on the final terms of the dissolution, and such charges could be material to our results.
 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) penalty
 
In July 2015, we entered into a settlement agreement with the NHTSA pertaining to our early warning and defect reporting. Under the terms of the agreement we will pay a fine of $1,000 in equal installments over three years, and will complete performance obligations including compliance and regulatory practice improvements, industry outreach, and recalls to remedy safety defects in certain of our chassis. The following table presents the charges recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the year ended December 31, 2015 as a result of this agreement:
 
Cost of products sold	 	$	1,269	 	
Selling, general and administrative	 	 	1,000	 	
 	 	$	2,269	 	
 
Chassis Agreements 
 
Our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment assembles van and truck bodies onto original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) chassis. The majority of such OEM chassis are purchased directly by our customers from the OEM and drop-shipped to our facilities. We are a bailee of most other chassis under converter pool agreements with the OEMs, as described below. Chassis possessed under converter pool agreements are invoiced to the customer by the OEM or its affiliated financial institution based upon the terms of the converter pool agreements. On an annual basis, we purchase and take title to an immaterial number of chassis that ultimately are recorded as sales and cost of sales. Converter pool chassis obtained from the OEMs are based upon estimated future requirements and, to a lesser extent, confirmed orders from customers. Although each manufacturer’s agreement has different terms and conditions, the agreements generally provide that the manufacturer will provide a supply of chassis to be maintained at our production facility under the conditions that we will store such chassis, will not make any additions or modifications to such chassis and will not move, sell or otherwise dispose of such chassis, except under the terms of the agreement. The manufacturer does not transfer the certificate of origin to us and, accordingly, we account for the chassis in our possession as bailed inventory belonging to the manufacturer.
 
We are party to chassis bailment inventory agreements with General Motors Company (“GM”) and Chrysler Group, LLC (“Chrysler”) which allow GM and Chrysler to draw up to $10,000 against our revolving credit line for chassis placed at our facilities. As a result of these agreements, there was $784 and $3,795 outstanding on our revolving credit line at December 31, 2016 and 2015. Under the terms of the bailment inventory agreements, these chassis never become our property, and the amount drawn against the credit line will be repaid by a GM or Chrysler dealer at the time an order is placed for one of our bodies, utilizing a GM or Chrysler chassis. As such, the chassis, and the related draw on the line of credit, are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 12  Debt , for further information on our revolving line of credit.
 
Warranty Related
 
We provide limited warranties against assembly/construction defects for periods generally ranging from two years to the life of the product. These warranties generally provide for the replacement or repair of defective parts or workmanship for a specified period following the date of sale. The end users also may receive limited warranties from suppliers of components that are incorporated into our chassis and vehicles.
 
62

 

Our policy is to record a provision for the estimated cost of warranty-related claims at the time of the sale and periodically adjust the provision and liability to reflect actual experience. The amount of warranty liability accrued reflects our best estimate of the expected future cost of honoring our obligations under the warranty agreements. Historically, the cost of fulfilling our warranty obligations has principally involved replacement parts and labor for field retrofit campaigns. Our estimates are based on historical experience, the number of units involved and the extent of features and components included in product models.
 
Certain warranty and other related claims involve matters of dispute that ultimately are resolved by negotiation, arbitration or litigation. Material warranty issues can arise which are beyond the scope of our historical experience. We provide for any such warranty issues as they become known and are estimable. It is reasonably possible that additional warranty and other related claims could arise from disputes or other matters beyond the scope of our historical experience.
 
Changes in our warranty liability during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
 
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	
Balance of accrued warranty at January 1	 	$	16,610	 	 	$	9,237	 	
Warranties issued during the period	 	 	5,705	 	 	 	5,027	 	
Cash settlements made during the period	 	 	(10,265	)	 	 	(8,015	)	
Changes in liability for pre-existing warranties during the period, including expirations	 	 	7,284	 	 	 	10,361	 	
Balance of accrued warranty at December 31	 	$	19,334	 	 	$	16,610	 	
 
Changes in liability for pre-existing warranties during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 includes $3,968 and $7,100 for campaigns and recalls outside of our normal warranty programs.

NOTE 11 - COMPENSATION INCENTIVE PLANS
 
We sponsor defined contribution retirement plans which cover all associates who meet length of service and minimum age requirements. Our matching contributions vest over 5 years and were $796, $707 and $625 in 2016, 2015 and 2014. These amounts are expensed as incurred.
 
The Spartan Motors, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan encompasses a quarterly and an annual bonus program. The quarterly program covers certain of our full-time employees. The cash bonuses paid under the quarterly program are equal for all participants. Amounts expensed for the quarterly bonus were $3,298, $1,898 and $1,789 for 2016, 2015 and 2014.
 
The annual bonus provides that executive officers and certain designated managers may earn cash bonuses based on our achievement of pre-defined financial and operational objectives. Amounts expensed for the annual bonus were $6,470, $1,789 and $1,644 for 2016, 2015 and 2014.

NOTE 12 - DEBT
 
Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
 	 	December 31,
2016	 	 	December 31,
2015	 	
Note payable to Prudential Investment Management, Inc.	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Principal due December 1, 2016 with quarterly interest only payments of $68 at 5.46%. Unsecured debt. (1)	 	$	--	 	 	$	5,000	 	
Line of credit revolver (2):	 	 	--	 	 	 	--	 	
Capital lease obligations (See Note 7 - Leases)	 	 	139	 	 	 	187	 	
Total debt	 	 	139	 	 	 	5,187	 	
Less current portion of long-term debt	 	 	(65	)	 	 	(63	)	
Total long-term debt	 	$	74	 	 	$	5,124	 	
 
63

 

 	(1)	We had $5,000 of private placement notes outstanding at December 31, 2015 with Prudential Investment Management, Inc., with principal due December 1, 2016. On October 31, 2016 we repaid the $5,000 principal outstanding on our Series B Senior Notes due December 1, 2016, with cash on hand. We had initially planned to fund the December 1, 2016 principal payment with borrowings available under our primary line of credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank. Accordingly, this debt was classified as long-term at December 31, 2015.	
 
 	(2)	On October 31, 2016, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") by and among us, certain of our subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent ("Wells Fargo"), and the lenders party thereto consisting of Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank (the "Lenders"). Under the Credit Agreement, we may borrow up to $100,000 from the Lenders under a three-year unsecured revolving credit facility. We may also request an increase in the facility of up to $35,000 in the aggregate, subject to customary conditions. This line carries an interest rate of the higher of either (i) the highest of prime rate, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5%, or the one month adjusted LIBOR plus 1.00%; or (ii) adjusted LIBOR plus margin based upon our ratio of debt to earnings from time to time. We had no borrowings on this line at December 31, 2016 or 2015. In January 2017, we borrowed $32.8 million from our credit line to fund our acquisition of Smeal. GM and Chrysler have the ability to draw up to $10,000 against our primary line of credit in relation to chassis supplied to Spartan USA under chassis bailment inventory programs. See Note 10,  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities  for further information about this chassis bailment inventory program. The applicable borrowing rate including margin was 1.86672% (or one-month LIBOR plus 1.25%) at December 31, 2016.	
 
Under the terms of the primary line of credit agreement and the private shelf agreement, we are required to maintain certain financial ratios and other financial conditions, which limited our available borrowings under our line of credit to a total of approximately $73,600 and $36,500 at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The agreement also prohibits us from incurring additional indebtedness; limits certain acquisitions, investments, advances or loans; limits our ability to pay dividends in certain circumstances; and restricts substantial asset sales. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.

NOTE 13 - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
 
We have stock incentive plans covering certain employees and non-employee directors. Shares reserved for stock awards under these plans total 2,856,250. Total shares remaining available for stock incentive grants under these plans totaled 2,856,250 at December 31, 2016. We are currently authorized to grant new stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and common stock under our various stock incentive plans which include our Stock Incentive Plan of 2016 and our Directors’ Stock Purchase Plan. The stock incentive plans allow certain employees, officers and non-employee directors to purchase common stock of Spartan Motors at a price established on the date of grant. Incentive stock options granted under these plans must have an exercise price equal to or greater than 100% of the fair market value of Spartan Motors stock on the grant date.
 
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Granted options and Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) vest immediately and are exercisable for a period of 10 years from the grant date. The exercise price for all options and the base price for all SARs granted have been equal to the market price at the date of grant. Dividends are not paid on unexercised options or SARs. SARs have historically been settled with shares of common stock upon exercise.
 
We receive a tax deduction for certain stock option exercises during the period the options are exercised, generally for the excess of the fair value of the stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the options. As required, we report any excess tax benefits in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as financing cash flows. Excess tax benefits derive from the difference between the tax deduction and the fair market value of the option as determined by the Black-Scholes valuation model.
 
No options were granted in 2016, 2015 or 2014, and there was no related compensation expense nor income tax benefit recognized in the corresponding income statements. We have had no outstanding options since December 31, 2015. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, were $0, $0 and $10.
 
64

 

SARs activity for the year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows for all plans:

Total Number
of SARs
(000)	 	 	
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value	 	 	

Total
Intrinsic
Value	 	 	Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)	 	
SARs outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015	 	 	221	 	 	$	3.30	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Granted and vested	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Exercised	 	 	(16	)	 	 	3.20	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cancelled	 	 	(112	)	 	 	3.39	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
SARs outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016	 	 	93	 	 	 	3.20	 	 	$	150	 	 	 	1.0	 	
 
No SARs were granted in 2016, 2015 or 2014, and there was no related compensation expense nor income tax benefit recognized in the corresponding income statements. The total intrinsic value of SARs exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $14, $0 and $0.
 
Restricted Stock Awards. We issue restricted stock, at no cash cost, to our directors, officers and key employees. Shares awarded entitle the shareholder to all rights of common stock ownership except that the shares are subject to the risk of forfeiture and may not be sold, transferred, pledged, exchanged or otherwise disposed of during the vesting period, which is generally three to five years. The unearned stock-based compensation related to restricted stock awards, using the market price on the date of grant, is being amortized to compensation expense over the applicable vesting periods. Cash dividends are paid on unvested restricted stock grants and all such dividends vest immediately.
 
We receive an excess tax benefit or liability during the period the restricted shares vest. The excess tax benefit (liability) is determined by the excess (shortfall) of the market price of the stock on date of vesting over (under) the grant date market price used to amortize the awards to compensation expense. As required, any excess tax benefits or liabilities are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as financing cash flows.
 
Restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2016, is as follows:
 
 	 	Total
Number of
Non-vested
Shares
(000)	 	 	
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value	 	 	Weighted
Average
Remaining
Vesting Life
(Years)	 	
Non-vested shares outstanding at December 31, 2015	 	 	379	 	 	$	4.93	 	 	 	 	 	
Granted	 	 	630	 	 	 	4.01	 	 	 	 	 	
Vested	 	 	(272	)	 	 	4.59	 	 	 	 	 	
Forfeited	 	 	(71	)	 	 	4.47	 	 	 	 	 	
Non-vested shares outstanding at December 31, 2016	 	 	666	 	 	 	4.25	 	 	 	1.08	 	
 
The weighted-average grant date fair value of non-vested shares granted was $4.01, $4.86 and $5.09 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
 
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During 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recorded compensation expense, net of cancellations, of $1,536, $1,198 and $1,624, related to restricted stock awards and direct stock grants. The total income tax benefit recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to restricted stock awards was $538, $419 and $568 for 2016, 2015 and 2014. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, restricted shares vested with a fair market value of $1,248, $1,528 and $1,785. When the fair value of restricted shares is lower on the date of vesting than that previously expensed for book purposes, an excess tax liability is booked. As of December 31, 2016, we had unearned stock-based compensation of $1,978 associated with these restricted stock grants, which will be recognized over a weighted average of 1.08 years.
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. We instituted an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) beginning on October 1, 2011 whereby essentially all employees who meet certain service requirements can purchase our common stock on quarterly offering dates at 95% of the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date. A maximum of 750,000 shares are authorized for purchase until the ESPP termination date of February 24, 2021, or earlier termination of the ESPP. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we received proceeds of $86 and $61 for the purchase of 13,000 and 16,000 shares under the ESPP.

NOTE 14 - SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
 
In October 2011, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1 million shares of the Company’s common stock. In April 2016, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1 million additional shares of our common stock, and terminated the October 2011 authorization effective June 30, 2016. The following table represents our purchases of our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 under these share repurchase programs.
 
Share purchase programs	 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	
Authorized
amount
(shares)
(000)	 	 	Date
approved by
board	 	 	Program
termination
date	 	 	Shares
purchased
(000)	 	 	Purchase
value	 	 	Shares
purchased
(000)	 	 	Purchase
value	 	
1,000	 	 	 	October, 2011	 	 	 	June 30, 2016	 	 	 	422	 	 	$	2,000	 	 	 	-	 	 	$	-	 	
1,000	 	 	 	April, 2016	 	 	 	N/A	 	 	 	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	$	-	 	

 
NOTE 15 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The table below reconciles basic weighted average common shares outstanding to diluted weighted average shares outstanding for 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands). The stock awards noted as antidilutive were not included in the diluted (in the case of stock options) or basic (in the case of unvested restricted stock awards) weighted average common shares outstanding. Although these stock awards were not included in our calculation of basic or diluted earnings per share (“EPS”), they may have a dilutive effect on the EPS calculation in future periods if the price of our common stock increases.
 
 	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2016	 	 	2015	 	 	2014	 	
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	 	 	34,405	 	 	 	33,826	 	 	 	34,251	 	
Effect of dilutive stock options	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	5	 	
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	 	 	34,405	 	 	 	33,826	 	 	 	34,256	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Antidilutive stock awards:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Stock options	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	175	 	
Unvested restricted stock awards	 	 	-	 	 	 	403	 	 	 	-	 	

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NOTE 16 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS
 
We identify our reportable segments based on our management structure and the financial data utilized by our chief operating decision makers to assess segment performance and allocate resources among our operating units. We have three reportable segments: Emergency Response Vehicles, Fleet Vehicles and Services, and Specialty Chassis and Vehicles.
 
The Emergency Response Vehicles segment consists of the emergency response chassis operations at our Charlotte, Michigan location and our operations at our Brandon, South Dakota and Ephrata, Pennsylvania locations, along with our Spartan-Gimaex joint venture. This segment engineers and manufactures emergency response chassis and vehicles and distributes related aftermarket parts and accessories.
 
The Fleet Vehicles and Services segment consists of our operations at our Bristol, Indiana location and focuses on designing and manufacturing walk-in vans used in the parcel delivery, mobile retail, and trades and construction industries, along with the production of commercial truck bodies, and supplies related aftermarket parts and accessories.
 
The Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment consists of our Charlotte, Michigan operations that engineer and manufacture motor home chassis, defense vehicles and other specialty chassis and distribute related aftermarket parts and accessories.
 
As a result of a realignment of our operating segments completed during the second quarter of 2016, aftermarket parts and accessories related to emergency response vehicles, which were formerly reported under the Specialty Chassis and Vehicles segment, are now included in the Emergency Response Vehicles segment. Segment results from 2015 and 2014 are shown reflecting the change. Appropriate expense amounts are allocated to the three reportable segments and are included in their reported operating income or loss.
 
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described, or referred to, in Note 1, General and Summary of Accounting Policies . Assets and related depreciation expense in the column labeled “Other” pertain to capital assets maintained at the corporate level. Segment loss from operations in the “Other” column contains corporate related expenses not allocable to the reportable segments. Interest expense and Taxes on income are not included in the information utilized by the chief operating decision makers to assess segment performance and allocate resources, and accordingly, are excluded from the segment results presented below. Intercompany transactions between reportable segments were immaterial in all periods presented.
 
Sales to customers outside the United States were $31,716, $40,058 and $55,919 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, or 5.4%, 7.3% and 11.0%, respectively, of sales for those years. All of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.
   
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Sales and other financial information by business segment are as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 	 	Segment	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Emergency
Response
Vehicles	 	 	Fleet
Vehicles and
Services	 	 	Specialty
Chassis
and
Vehicles	 	 	Other	 	 	Consolidated	 	
Emergency response vehicles sales	 	$	175,730	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	175,730	 	
Fleet vehicles sales	 	 	-	 	 	 	206,248	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	206,248	 	
Motor home chassis sales	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	97,999	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	97,999	 	
Other specialty vehicles sales	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	21,074	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	21,074	 	
Aftermarket parts and accessories sales	 	 	7,251	 	 	 	72,141	 	 	 	10,334	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	89,726	 	
Total sales	 	$	182,981	 	 	$	278,389	 	 	$	129,407	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	590,777	 	
Depreciation and amortization expense	 	$	1,143	 	 	$	3,455	 	 	$	519	 	 	$	2,786	 	 	$	7,903	 	
Operating income (loss)	 	 	(13,660	)	 	 	28,740	 	 	 	6,846	 	 	 	(13,301	)	 	 	8,625	 	
Segment assets	 	 	77,887	 	 	 	65,277	 	 	 	28,825	 	 	 	71,305	 	 	 	243,294	 	
Capital expenditures	 	 	1,558	 	 	 	2,011	 	 	 	6,842	 	 	 	2,999	 	 	 	13,410	 	

Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 	 	Segment	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Emergency
Response
Vehicles	 	 	Fleet
Vehicles and
Services	 	 	Specialty
Chassis
and
Vehicles	 	 	Other	 	 	Consolidated	 	
Emergency response vehicles sales	 	$	187,127	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	187,127	 	
Fleet vehicles sales	 	 	-	 	 	 	193,772	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	193,772	 	
Motor home chassis sales	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	103,264	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	103,264	 	
Other specialty vehicles sales	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	13,849	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	13,849	 	
Aftermarket parts and accessories sales	 	 	6,093	 	 	 	33,911	 	 	 	12,398	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	52,402	 	
Total sales	 	$	193,220	 	 	$	227,683	 	 	$	129,511	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	550,414	 	
Depreciation and amortization expense	 	$	914	 	 	$	3,631	 	 	$	408	 	 	$	2,487	 	 	$	7,440	 	
Operating income (loss)	 	 	(23,722	)	 	 	14,530	 	 	 	4,906	 	 	 	(8,193	)	 	 	(12,479	)	
Segment assets	 	 	76,030	 	 	 	70,491	 	 	 	24,032	 	 	 	60,118	 	 	 	230,671	 	
Capital expenditures	 	 	1,010	 	 	 	1,323	 	 	 	859	 	 	 	1,703	 	 	 	4,895	 	

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Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 	 	Segment	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Emergency Response
Vehicles	 	 	Fleet
Vehicles and Services	 	 	Specialty
Chassis
and Vehicles	 	 	Other	 	 	Consolidated	 	
Emergency response vehicles sales	 	$	184,532	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	184,532	 	
Fleet vehicles sales	 	 	-	 	 	 	189,016	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	189,016	 	
Motor home chassis sales	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	86,186	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	86,186	 	
Other specialty vehicles sales	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	9,165	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	9,165	 	
Aftermarket parts and accessories sales	 	 	5,471	 	 	 	21,482	 	 	 	10,912	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	37,865	 	
Total sales	 	$	190,003	 	 	$	210,498	 	 	$	106,263	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	506,764	 	
Depreciation and amortization expense	 	$	1,030	 	 	$	4,297	 	 	$	669	 	 	$	2,382	 	 	$	8,378	 	
Operating income (loss)	 	 	(6,280	)	 	 	8,324	 	 	 	6,619	 	 	 	(9,814	)	 	 	(1,151	)	
Segment assets	 	 	81,748	 	 	 	65,827	 	 	 	21,269	 	 	 	69,669	 	 	 	238,813	 	
Capital expenditures	 	 	516	 	 	 	989	 	 	 	412	 	 	 	1,546	 	 	 	3,463	 	

NOTE 17 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
On January 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Smeal Properties, Inc., Ladder Tower Co., and U.S. Tanker Co. pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2016 (see Note 2,  Acquisition Activities (Subsequent Event)  for further information). As of December 31, 2016, the total amount of receivables due from from the former owners of Smeal was $7,397. This balance was forgiven as part of the acquisition on January 1, 2017. Sales to the former owners of Smeal were $30,748, $32,600, and $17,785 in 2016, 2015, and 2014.
 
John Forbes, the President of our Fleet Vehicles and Services segment serves on the Board of Directors of Patrick Industries, Inc. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we made purchases of $4,009 and $300 from subsidiaries of Patrick Industries, Inc. for parts used in the manufacture of our products. These purchases were made through a competitive bid process at arms-length.
Richard Dauch, who serves on the Spartan Motors Board of Directors, is the Chief Executive Officer of Accuride, Inc. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we made purchases of $836 and $1,000 from Accuride Distributing, a subsidiary of Accuride, Inc., for parts used in the manufacture of our products. These purchases were made through a competitive bid process at arms-length.

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NOTE 18 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
Summarized quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows (full year amounts may not sum due to rounding):
 
 	 	2016 Quarter Ended	 	 	2015 Quarter Ended	 	
 	 	Mar 31	 	 	June 30	 	 	Sept 30	 	 	Dec 31	 	 	Mar 31	 	 	June 30	 	 	Sept 30	 	 	Dec 31	 	
Sales	 	$	133,726	 	 	$	162,537	 	 	$	148,664	 	 	$	145,850	 	 	$	128,372	 	 	$	144,824	 	 	$	136,572	 	 	$	140,647	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	 	 	15,820	 	 	 	20,807	 	 	 	18,010	 	 	 	17,890	 	 	 	11,533	 	 	 	17,442	 	 	 	12,808	 	 	 	5,329	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring charges	 	 	339	 	 	 	227	 	 	 	304	 	 	 	224	 	 	 	1,155	 	 	 	811	 	 	 	462	 	 	 	427	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors, Inc.	 	 	543	 	 	 	4,379	 	 	 	2,745	 	 	 	942	 	 	 	(2,880	)	 	 	1,177	 	 	 	(5,818	)	 	 	(9,450	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic net earnings (loss) per share	 	 	0.02	 	 	 	0.13	 	 	 	0.08	 	 	 	0.03	 	 	 	(0.09	)	 	 	0.03	 	 	 	(0.17	)	 	 	(0.28	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share	 	 	0.02	 	 	 	0.13	 	 	 	0.08	 	 	 	0.03	 	 	 	(0.09	)	 	 	0.03	 	 	 	(0.17	)	 	 	(0.28	)	
 
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Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.	
 
None.
 
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures.	
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
 
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of December 31, 2016. Based on and as of the time of such evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the framework in  Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)  issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 has been audited by BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its attestation report, which is included in Item 8 and is incorporated into this Item 9A by reference.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
 
No changes in our internal control over financial reporting were identified as having occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.	Other Information.	
 
None.
PART III
 
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance.	
 
The information required by this item, with respect to directors, executive officers, audit committee, and audit committee financial experts of the Company and Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting compliance is contained under the captions “Spartan Motors’ Board of Directors and Executive Officers” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our definitive proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 24, 2017, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. This Code of Ethics is posted under “Code of Ethics” on our website at www.spartanmotors.com . We have also adopted a Code of Ethics and Compliance applicable to all directors, officers and associates, which is posted under “Code of Conduct” on our website at  www.spartanmotors.com . Any waiver from or amendment to a provision of either code will be disclosed on our website.
 
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Item 11.	Executive Compensation.	
 
The information required by this item is contained under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation of Directors,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our definitive proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 24, 2017, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters.	
 
The information required by this item (other than that set forth below) is contained under the caption “Ownership of Spartan Motors Stock” in our definitive proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 24, 2017, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
The following table provides information about our equity compensation plans regarding the number of securities to be issued under these plans upon the exercise of outstanding options, the weighted-average exercise prices of options outstanding under these plans, and the number of securities available for future issuance as of December 31, 2016.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan category
 	 	Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights	 	 	Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights	 	 	Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (3)	 	
 	 	(a)	 	 	(b)	 	 	(c)	 	
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)	 	 	93,000	 	 	$	7.64	 	 	 	2,800,000	 	
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (2)	 	 	--	 	 	 	N/A	 	 	 	56,250	 	
Total	 	 	93,000	 	 	$	7.64	 	 	 	2,856,250	 	
 
(1)	Consists of the Spartan Motors, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2016 (the “2016 Plan”), and the Spartan Motors, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2007 (the “2007 Plan”).	
 	 	
(2)	Consists of the Spartan Motors, Inc. Directors’ Stock Purchase Plan. This plan provides that non-employee directors of the Company may elect to receive at least 25% and up to 100% of their “director’s fees” in the form of the Company’s common stock. The term “director’s fees” means the amount of income payable to a non-employee director for his or her service as a director of the Company, including payments for attendance at meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors or meetings of committees of the board, and any retainer fee paid to such persons as members of the board. A non-employee director who elects to receive Company common stock in lieu of some or all of his or her director’s fees will, on or shortly after each “applicable date,” receive a number of shares of common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) determined by dividing (1) the dollar amount of the director’s fees payable to him or her on the applicable date that he or she has elected to receive in common stock by (2) the market value of common stock on the applicable date. The term “applicable date” means any date on which a director’s fee is payable to the participant. To date, no shares have been issued under this plan.	
 	 	
(3)	Each of the plans reflected in the above table contains customary anti-dilution provisions that are applicable in the event of a stock split or certain other changes in the Company’s capitalization. Furthermore, each of the 2016 Plan and the 2007 Plan provides that if a stock option is canceled, surrendered, modified, expires or is terminated during the term of the plan but before the exercise of the option, the shares subject to the option will be available for other awards under the plan.	
 	 	
 	The numbers of shares reflected in column (c) in the table above with respect to the 2016 Plan (2,800,000 shares) represent new shares that may be granted by the Company, and not shares issuable upon the exercise of an existing option, warrant or right.	
 
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Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.	
 
The information required by this item is contained under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Spartan Motors’ Board of Directors and Executive Officers” in our definitive proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 24, 2017, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services.	
 
The information required by this item is contained under the caption “Independent Auditor Fees” in our definitive proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 24, 2017, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 
PART IV
 
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.	
 
 	Item 15(a)(1).	List of Financial Statements.	
 
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, and reports of our registered independent public accounting firm, are filed as a part of this report under Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:
 
 	Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Report on Consolidated Financial Statements - Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014	
 	 	
 	Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting - December 31, 2016	
 	 	
 	Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015	
 	 	
 	Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014	
 	 	
 	Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity - Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014	
 	 	
 	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014	
 	 	
 	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	

 	Item 15(a)(2).	Financial Statement Schedules. Attached as Appendix A.	
 
The following consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company and its subsidiaries is filed as part of this report:
 
 	 	Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	
 
All other financial statement schedules are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
 
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 	Item 15(a)(3).	List of Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:	
 
Exhibit
Number	 	
Document	
 	 	  	
3.1	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended June 30, 2007 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	
3.2	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Bylaws, as amended to date. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2013 (Commission File No. 001-33582), 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	 	Form of Stock Certificate. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-18 (Registration No. 2-90021-C) filed on March 19, 1984, and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	
4.4	 	Rights Agreement dated July 7, 2007, between Spartan Motors, Inc. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, which includes the form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series B Preferred Stock as Exhibit A, the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Series B Preferred Stock as Exhibit C. Previously filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Form 8-A (Commission File No. 001-33582) filed on July 10, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	
4.5	 	The Registrant has several classes of long-term debt instruments outstanding, none of which represents an authorized amount of debt exceeding 10% of the Company’s total consolidated assets, except as furnished under Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 10-K below. The Company agrees to furnish copies of any other agreements defining the rights of holders of other such long-term indebtedness to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.	
 	 	 	
10.1	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated October 23, 2015, between the Company and John W. Slawson. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.2	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2016. Previously filed as Appendix A to the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 8, 2016 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.3	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2007, as amended. Previously filed as Appendix A to the Company’s 2007 Proxy Statement filed April 23, 2007 (Commission File No. 000-13611) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.4	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Leadership Team Compensation Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.5	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Directors’ Stock Purchase Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-98083) filed on August 14, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 
74

 

Exhibit
Number	 	Document	
 	 	 	
10.6	 	Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.7	 	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.8	 	Form of Indemnification Agreement. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005 (Commission File No. 000-13611), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.9	 	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference. *	
 	 	 	
10.10	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2012. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 15, 2012 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.11	 	Lease agreement dated February 13, 2012 between the Company and Fruit Hills Investments, LLC. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	
10.12	 	Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 31, 2016, by and among the Company, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.	
 
75

 

Exhibit
Number	 	Document	
 	 	 	
10.13	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated July 22, 2014, between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Daryl M. Adams. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2014 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.14	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated September 15, 2015, between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Frederick J. Sohm. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.15	 	Employment Letter Agreement Dated January 6, 2005 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Arthur D. Ickes. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.16	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated October 30, 2008 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Thomas T. Kivell. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.17	 	Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2009, between Utilimaster Holdings, Inc. and John A. Forbes. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.18	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated December 23, 2014 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Steve Guillaume. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.19	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated May 11, 2015 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Steve Guillaume. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.20	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated July 14, 2014 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Thomas C. Schultz.*	
 	 	 	
10.21	 	Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2016, by and among Spartan Motors USA, Inc., Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Smeal Properties, Inc., Ladder Tower Co., U.S. Tanker Co., and Rodney Cerny, as Representative. Previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference. 	
 	 	 	
21	 	Subsidiaries of Registrant.	
 	 	 	
23	 	Consent of BDO USA, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting firm.	
 
76

 

Exhibit
Number	 	Document	
 	 	 	
24	 	Limited Powers of Attorney.	
 	 	 	
31.1	 	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.	
 	 	 	
31.2	 	Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.	
 	 	 	
32	 	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.	
 	 	 	
101.INS	 	XBRL Instance Document	
 	 	 	
101.SCH	 	XBRL Schema Document	
 	 	 	
101.CAL	 	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
101.DEF	 	XBRL Definition Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
101.LAB	 	XBRL Label Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
101.PRE	 	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document	
_________________________
 
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
The Company will furnish a copy of any exhibit listed above to any shareholder of the Company without charge upon written request to: Chief Financial Officer, Spartan Motors, Inc., 1541 Reynolds Road, Charlotte, Michigan 48813.

Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary	
 
None.

77

 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.	
 	 	 	
March 3, 2017	By	/s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	 	Frederick J. Sohm
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
March 3, 2017	By	/s/ Daryl M. Adams	
 	 	Daryl M. Adams
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)	

March 3, 2017	By	/s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	 	Frederick J. Sohm
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	

March 3, 2017	By	* /s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	 	Richard R. Current, Director	

March 3, 2017	By	* /s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	 	Ronald Harbour, Director	

 March 3, 2017	By	* /s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	 	Hugh W. Sloan, Director	

March 3, 2017	By	* /s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	 	James A. Sharman, Director	

March 3, 2017	By	* /s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	 	James C. Orchard, Director	

March 3, 2017	* By	/s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	 	Frederick J. Sohm 
Attorney-in-Fact	
 
78

 

APPENDIX A
 
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Column A	 	Column B	 	 	Column C	 	 	Column D	 	 	Column E	 	

Description	 	

Balance at
Beginning
of Period	 	 	
Additions
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses	 	 	Additions
Charged to
Other
Accounts
(Acquisition)	 	 	

Deductions	 	 	

Balance
at End
of Period	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2016:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Allowance for doubtful accounts	 	$	130	 	 	$	368	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	(11	)	 	$	487	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reserve for slow-moving inventory	 	 	3,230	 	 	 	2,984	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(2,846	)	 	 	3,368	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Accrued warranty	 	 	16,610	 	 	 	12,989	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(10,265	)	 	 	19,334	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	 	 	12,534	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(2,932	)	 	 	9,602	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2015:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Allowance for doubtful accounts	 	$	144	 	 	$	12	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	(26	)	 	$	130	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reserve for slow-moving inventory	 	 	3,588	 	 	 	3,973	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(4,331	)	 	 	3,230	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Accrued warranty	 	 	9,237	 	 	 	15,388	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(8,015	)	 	 	16,610	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	 	 	3,062	 	 	 	9,472	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	12,534	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2014:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Allowance for doubtful accounts	 	$	769	 	 	$	71	 	 	$	-	 	 	$	(696	)	 	$	144	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reserve for slow-moving inventory	 	 	2,295	 	 	 	5,343	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(4,050	)	 	 	3,588	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Accrued warranty	 	 	7,579	 	 	 	6,533	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(4,875	)	 	 	9,237	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	 	 	3,567	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	(505	)	 	 	3,062	 	

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number	 	
Document	
 	 	  	
3.1	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended June 30, 2007 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	
3.2	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Bylaws, as amended to date. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2013 (Commission File No. 001-33582), 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	 	Form of Stock Certificate. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-18 (Registration No. 2-90021-C) filed on March 19, 1984, and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	
4.4	 	Rights Agreement dated July 7, 2007, between Spartan Motors, Inc. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, which includes the form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series B Preferred Stock as Exhibit A, the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Series B Preferred Stock as Exhibit C. Previously filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Form 8-A (Commission File No. 001-33582) filed on July 10, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	
4.5	 	The Registrant has several classes of long-term debt instruments outstanding, none of which represents an authorized amount of debt exceeding 10% of the Company’s total consolidated assets, except as furnished under Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 10-K below. The Company agrees to furnish copies of any other agreements defining the rights of holders of other such long-term indebtedness to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.	
 	 	 	
10.1	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated October 23, 2015, between the Company and John W. Slawson. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.2	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2016. Previously filed as Appendix A to the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 8, 2016 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.3	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2007, as amended. Previously filed as Appendix A to the Company’s 2007 Proxy Statement filed April 23, 2007 (Commission File No. 000-13611) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.4	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Leadership Team Compensation Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.5	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Directors’ Stock Purchase Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-98083) filed on August 14, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 
i

 

Exhibit
Number	 	Document	
 	 	 	
10.6	 	Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.7	 	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.8	 	Form of Indemnification Agreement. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005 (Commission File No. 000-13611), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.9	 	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference. *	
 	 	 	
10.10	 	Spartan Motors, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2012. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 15, 2012 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.11	 	Lease agreement dated February 13, 2012 between the Company and Fruit Hills Investments, LLC. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	
10.12	 	Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 31, 2016, by and among the Company, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.	
 
ii

 

Exhibit
Number	 	Document	
 	 	 	
10.13	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated July 22, 2014, between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Daryl M. Adams. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2014 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.14	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated September 15, 2015, between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Frederick J. Sohm. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582), and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.15	 	Employment Letter Agreement Dated January 6, 2005 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Arthur D. Ickes. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.16	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated October 30, 2008 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Thomas T. Kivell. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.17	 	Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2009, between Utilimaster Holdings, Inc. and John A. Forbes. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.18	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated December 23, 2014 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Steve Guillaume. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.19	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated May 11, 2015 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Steve Guillaume. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-33582) and incorporated herein by reference.*	
 	 	 	
10.20	 	Employment Letter Agreement dated July 14, 2014 between Spartan Motors, Inc. and Thomas C. Schultz.*	
 	 	 	
10.21	 	Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2016, by and among Spartan Motors USA, Inc., Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Smeal Properties, Inc., Ladder Tower Co., U.S. Tanker Co., and Rodney Cerny, as Representative. Previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference. 	
 	 	 	
21	 	Subsidiaries of Registrant.	
 	 	 	
23	 	Consent of BDO USA, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting firm.	
 
iii

 

Exhibit
Number	 	Document	
 	 	 	
24	 	Limited Powers of Attorney.	
 	 	 	
31.1	 	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.	
 	 	 	
31.2	 	Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.	
 	 	 	
32	 	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.	
 	 	 	
101.INS	 	XBRL Instance Document	
 	 	 	
101.SCH	 	XBRL Schema Document	
 	 	 	
101.CAL	 	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
101.DEF	 	XBRL Definition Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
101.LAB	 	XBRL Label Linkbase Document	
 	 	 	
101.PRE	 	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document	
_________________________
 
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

iv

Exhibit 10.12

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
 
CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
dated as of
 
October 31, 2016
 
among
 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
SPARTAN MOTORS USA, INC.
SPARTAN MOTORS GLOBAL, INC.
Utilimaster Services, LLC
 
as the Borrowers
 
The Lenders Party Hereto
 
and
 
WELLS FARGO BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Administrative Agent
 
____________________________________
 
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
 
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner
 
____________________________________

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page

 

 

SCHEDULES:
 
Schedule 1.01      Inactive Subsidiaries
Schedule 2.01 - - Commitments
Schedule 2.05(b)(ii) - - Floorplan Swingline Loans
Schedule 2.06 - - Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 3.05 - - Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.06 - - Disclosed Matters
Schedule 6.01 - - Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02 - - Existing Liens
Schedule 6.08 - - Existing Restrictions
 
EXHIBITS:
 
Exhibit A -- Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B - Form of Guaranty
Exhibit C - Form of Tax Certificates

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of October 31, 2016, among SPARTAN MOTORS, INC., SPARTAN MOTORS USA, INC., SPARTAN MOTORS GLOBAL, INC., and Utilimaster Services, LLC the LENDERS party hereto, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent.
 
The parties hereto agree as follows:
 
R E C I T A L S
 
A.     The Borrowers (including as successor by merger to Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., Crimson File Aerials, Inc., and Utilimaster Corporation, but excluding Utilimaster Services, LLC), the Administrative Agent and the Existing Lenders are party to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 16, 2011 (as amended, the “Existing Credit Agreement”).
 
B.     The Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Existing Lenders and any new Lender(s) wish to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth below to make the changes to the Existing Credit Agreement evidenced hereby.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements made herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree that the Existing Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
 
Article I.     
DEFINITIONS
 
SECTION 1.01.      Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
 
“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
 
“Acquisition” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the date of this Agreement, by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any firm, corporation or limited liability company, or division thereof, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (b) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the Equity Interests of a Person.
 
“Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.
 
“Administrative Agent” means Well Fargo, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
 
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
 
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
 
“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the rate appearing on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or on any successor or substitute page) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day (without any rounding). Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.
 
“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrowers or any Subsidiary from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption, including, without limitation, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
 
“Anti-Money Laundering Law” means any and all laws, statutes, regulations or obligatory government orders, decrees, ordinances or rules applicable to the parties hereto, their respective subsidiaries or Affiliates related to terrorism financing or money laundering, including any applicable provision of the Patriot Act and The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act,” 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959).
 
“Applicable Law” means all applicable provisions of constitutions, laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of Governmental Authorities and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.
 
“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.
 
“Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Eurodollar Spread” or “Commitment Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Leverage Ratio as of the most recent determination date;
 
Level	Leverage Ratio	Eurodollar
Spread	Commitment Fee Rate	
I	< 1.00:1.0	125.0 bps	17.5 bps	
II	< 1.50:1.0 but ≥ 1.00:1.0	150.0 bps	22.5 bps	
III	< 2.00:1.0 but ≥ 1.50:1.0	175.0 bps	27.5 bps	
IV	< 2.50:1.0 but ≥ 2.00:1.0	200.0 bps	30.0 bps	
V	≥ 2.50:1.0	225.0 bps	32.5 bps	
 
The Applicable Rate shall be determined in accordance with the foregoing table based on the Leverage Ratio as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter, as calculated for the four most recently ended consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Company. Adjustments, if any, to the Applicable Rate shall be effective on the date which is five (5) Business Days after the Administrative Agent’s receipt of the applicable financials under Section 5.01(a) or (b) and certificate under Section 5.01(c). During all times any Event of Default exists, in addition to any increase in rates under Section 2.13(c), the Applicable Rate shall be automatically set at Level V. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Applicable Rate shall be set at Level I as of the Effective Date, and shall be adjusted for the first time based on receipt of the financials for the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2016 and certificate under Section 5.01(c).
 
“Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.
 
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
 
“Available Revolving Commitment” means, at any time, the Commitment then in effect minus the Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders at such time; it being understood and agreed that any Lender’s Swingline Exposure shall not be deemed to be a component of the Revolving Credit Exposure for purposes of calculating the commitment fee under Section 2.12(a).
 
“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date (as such date may be extended pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of Section 2.01) and the date of termination of the Commitments.
 
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.
 
“Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
 
“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
 
“Borrower” means each of the Company, Spartan Motors USA, Inc., a South Dakota corporation, Spartan Motors Global, Inc., a Michigan corporation and Utilimaster Services, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, and “Borrowers” shall refer to the entities collectively.
 
“Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (b) a Swingline Loan.
 
“Borrowing Request” means a request by a Borrower for a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.
 
“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed;  provided  that, (i) when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “ Business Day ” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market, and (ii) when used in connection with a Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency, the term “ Business Day ” shall also exclude a day on which the applicable Issuing Bank is not open to the public for carrying on substantially all of its banking functions in its primary office used to issue such Letter of Credit.
 
“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
“Cash Collateralize” means, to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Lenders, as collateral for LC Exposure or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of LC Exposure, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Bank shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each such Issuing Bank. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
 
“Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of Equity Interests representing more than 49% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Company nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; or (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Company by any Person or group.
 
“Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
 
“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans.
 
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
 
“Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09, (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04 and (c) increased pursuant to Section 2.01(b). The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Commitments is $100,000,000.
 
“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
 
“Company” means Spartan Motors, Inc., a Michigan corporation.
 
“Consolidated EBIT” means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period (a) plus, to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, without duplication, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense and amortization or write-off of debt discount, (ii) expense for income taxes paid or accrued, (iii) extraordinary charges (as determined in accordance with GAAP), (iv) all non-recurring, non-cash charges (excluding any non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) (v) unusual or nonrecurring cash charges in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,000,000 (or such greater amount as may be approved in writing by the Required Lenders, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) for any consecutive four Fiscal Quarter period, (vi) non-cash expense incurred in connection with equity compensation plans, (vii) foreign currency losses, and (viii) for any period of determination ending on or before September 30, 2018, charges related to the 2015 NHTSA settlement in an aggregate amount no greater than $4,000,000 (b) minus , to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (i) extraordinary gains (as determined in accordance with GAAP), (ii) all non-recurring, non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income, (iii) foreign currency gains, (iv) interest income, (v) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Company or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions, and (vi) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any contractual obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. For purposes of this Agreement, Consolidated EBIT for any period shall (x) include the EBIT of any company that has been acquired by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof for any portion of such period prior to the date of the acquisition and (y) exclude the EBIT attributable to the assets of any Subsidiary or business unit of a Subsidiary of a Loan Party that has been disposed of by such Loan Party for the portion of such period prior to the date of disposition. “EBIT” for the acquired company or the disposed assets or business unit, as applicable, shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the calculation made pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above. The parties hereby agree that the Consolidated EBIT for the fiscal quarter ending (a) March 31, 2016 was $1,739,818, (b) June 30, 2016 was $6,729,134 and (c) September 30, 2016 was $5,601,345.
 
“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, Consolidated EBIT, plus, to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated EBIT, (a) depreciation expense, and (b) amortization expense. For purposes of this Agreement, Consolidated EBITDA for any period shall (x) include the depreciation and amortization expense of any company that has been acquired by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof for any portion of such period prior to the date of the acquisition and (y) exclude the depreciation and amortization expense attributable to the assets of any Subsidiary or business unit of a Subsidiary of a Loan Party that has been disposed of by such Loan Party for the portion of such period prior to the date of disposition. The parties hereby agree that the Consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ending (a) March 31, 2016 was $3,525,690, (b) June 30, 2016 was $8,507,430 and (c) September 30, 2016 was $7,778,300.
 
“Consolidated Indebtedness” means at any time the Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis.
 
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with reference to any period, the cash Interest Expense of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period.
 
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period.
 
“Consolidated Tangible Net Worth” means, as of any date, (a) the amount of any capital stock, paid in capital and similar equity accounts plus (or minus in the case of a deficit) the capital surplus and retained earnings of such Person and the amount of any foreign currency translation adjustment account shown as a capital account of such Person, less (b) the net book value of all items of the following character which are included in the assets of such Person: (i) goodwill, including, without limitation, the excess of cost over book value of any asset, (ii) organization expenses, (iii) unamortized debt discount and expense, (iv) patents, trademarks, trade names and copyrights, (v) treasury stock, (vi) deferred taxes and deferred charges, (vii) franchises, licenses and permits, and (viii) other assets which are deemed intangible assets under GAAP, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
 
“Consolidated Total Debt” means at any time the sum of all of the following for the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis: (a) obligations for borrowed money and similar obligations, (b) obligations representing the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business payable on terms customary in the trade), (c) obligations, whether or not assumed, secured by liens or payable out of the proceeds or production from property now or hereafter owned or acquired, (d) obligations which are evidenced by notes, acceptances, or other instruments, (e) Capital Lease Obligations, (f) obligations under asset securitizations, sale/leasebacks, “synthetic lease” transaction or similar obligations which are the functional equivalent of or take the place of borrowing, based on the amount that would be outstanding thereunder if it were structured as borrowing, (g) contingent obligations under letters of credit, bankers acceptances and similar instruments, (h) the amount of any earn-out obligation related to any Acquisition in excess of $4,000,000, calculated in accordance with GAAP, and (i) any Guaranty Obligations. “Consolidated Total Debt” shall specifically exclude liabilities related to the Supplemental Employee Retirement Program.
 
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
 
“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
 
“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.20(f), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder, unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrowers, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, including, but not limited to, any Bail-In Action, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States of America or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.20(f)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrowers, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and each Lender.
 
“Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits and proceedings and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.
 
“dollars”, “Dollars” or “$” refers to the lawful money of the United States of America.
 
“Dollar Equivalent” means, on any date of determination (a) with respect to any amount in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount in any Foreign Currency, the equivalent in Dollars of such amount, determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1.05 using the Exchange Rate with respect to such Foreign Currency at the time in effect under the provisions of such Section.
 
“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof, or the District of Columbia.
 
“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
 
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
 
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country.
 
“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).
 
“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.
 
“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
 
“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.
 
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
 
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with a Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
 
“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by any Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by any Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
 
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor thereto), as in effect from time to time.
 
“Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
 
“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.
 
“Exchange Rate” means on any day, for purposes of determining the Dollar Equivalent of any currency other than Dollars, the rate at which such currency may be exchanged into Dollars at the time of determination on such day on the Reuters Currency pages, if available, for such currency. In the event that such rate does not appear on any Reuters Currency pages, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower, or, in the absence of such an agreement, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at or about such time as the Administrative Agent shall elect after determining that such rates shall be the basis for determining the Exchange Rate, on such date for the purchase of Dollars for delivery two Business Days later; provided that if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such spot rate is being quoted, the Administrative Agent may use any reasonable method it deems appropriate to determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
 
“Exchange Rate Date” means, if on such date any outstanding Letter of Credit is (or any Letter of Credit that has been requested at such time would be) denominated in a currency other than Dollars, each of:
 
(a)     the last Business Day of each calendar month,
 
(b)     if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any Business Day designated as an Exchange Rate Date by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, and
 
(c)     each date (with such date to be reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent) that is on or about the date of (i) a Borrowing Request or an Interest Election Request with respect to any Revolving Borrowing or (ii) each request for the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or Swingline Loan.
 
“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the liability of such Loan Party for or the guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any liability or guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) (i) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the liability for or the guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation (such determination being made after giving effect to any applicable keepwell, support or other agreement for the benefit of the applicable Loan Party, including under Section 22 of the Loan Party Guaranty) or (ii) in the case of a Swap Obligation subject to a clearing requirement pursuant to Section 2(h) of the Commodity Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto), because such Loan Party is a "financial entity," as defined in Section 2(h)(7)(C)(i) of the Commodity Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto) at the time the liability for or the guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal for the reasons identified in the immediately preceding sentence of this definition.
 
“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which any Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by any Borrower under Section 2.19(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from any Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.17(a).
 
“ExistingCredit Agreement” shall have the meaning provided in the Recitals hereto.
 
“Existing Lenders” means the lenders party to the Existing Credit Agreement.
 
“Existing Letter of Credit” means a letter of credit issued and outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement and listed on Schedule 2.06 hereto.
 
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
 
“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day,  provided  that if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average of the quotation for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Federal Funds Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
 
“Fee Letter” means that certain Fee Letter among the Company, the Administrative Agent and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, dated as of October 11, 2016.
 
“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Company.
 
“Fiscal Quarter” means each of the quarterly accounting periods of the Company, ending March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.
 
“Fiscal Year” means each annual accounting period of the Company ending on December 31 of each year. As an example, reference to the 2016 Fiscal Year shall mean the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2016.
 
“Floored Item” means any Vehicle for which a Floorplan Swingline Loan has been made to a Borrower to acquire the same and for which a Borrower remains indebted hereunder.
 
“Floorplan Swingline Commitment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(a).
 
“Floorplan Swingline Loan” means a Loan pursuant to Section 2.05 for the purpose of financing the acquisition by a Borrower of Vehicles.
 
“Foreign Currency” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, any currency other than Dollars acceptable to the Administrative Agent that is freely available, freely transferable and freely convertible into Dollars, and agreed to by the Issuing Bank issuing such Letter of Credit.
 
“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which a Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
 
“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the Issuing Banks, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding LC Exposure other than LC Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of outstanding Swingline Exposure other than Swingline Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders.
 
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
 
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
 
“Guarantor” means each existing and future Domestic Subsidiary, provided, that no Inactive Subsidiary shall be required to be a Guarantor.
 
“GuarantyObligations” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including without limitation any obligation, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such Indebtedness or any property constituting security therefor, (b) to advance or provide funds or other support for the payment or purchase of any such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital, solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person (including without limitation keep well agreements, maintenance agreements or similar agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any holder of Indebtedness of such other Person, (c) to lease or purchase assets, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof, or (d) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any limitations set forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount (or maximum principal amount, if larger) of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made.
 
“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
 
“Inactive Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary which has no assets and conducts no business. Schedule 1.01 is a list of all Inactive Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date.
 
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guaranty Obligations by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
 
“IndemnifiedTaxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
 
“Interest Coverage Ratio” means, the ratio, determined as of the end of each of Fiscal Quarter of the Company, of (a) Consolidated EBIT, to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense, all as calculated for the most-recently ended four Fiscal Quarters and for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
 
“Interest Election Request” means a request by a Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08.
 
“Interest Expense” means, with reference to any period, total interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net costs under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP), calculated on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period in accordance with GAAP.
 
“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.
 
“Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as a Borrower may elect, and; provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and, in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
 
“Issuing Bank” means Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and each of their respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i). Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.
 
“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by the applicable Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
 
“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of any Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.
 
“Laws” or “laws” means all applicable provisions of constitutions, statutes, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority, including all orders and decrees of all courts, tribunals and arbitrators.
 
“Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender.
 
“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit or similar instrument (including without limitation a bank guarantee) acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank issued for the account of any Borrower pursuant to this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to account party, beneficiary, reimbursements, draws and similar terms used with respect to any letter of credit constituting a Letter of Credit shall be interpreted in a similar manner as determined by the applicable Issuing Bank when used with respect to any similar instrument (including without limitation a bank guarantee) acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank constituting a Letter of Credit.
 
“Leverage Ratio” means, as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter, the ratio of the Consolidated Total Debt as of such Fiscal Quarter end to the Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending with such Fiscal Quarter end, provided that for purposes of Section 6.06(d), Leverage Ratio shall be calculated on a trailing twelve month basis as of any applicable date of determination.
 
“LIBO Rate” means, for the Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, the rate of interest per annum determined on the basis of the rate as set by the ICE Benchmark Administration (“ ICE ”) (or the successor thereto if ICE is no longer making such rate available) for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to the applicable Interest Period which appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any applicable successor page) at approximately 9:00 a.m. Pacific time, two Business Days prior to the date of commencement of such Interest Period for purposes of calculating effective rates of interest for loans or obligations making reference thereto, for an amount approximately equal to the applicable Eurodollar Borrowing and for a period of time approximately equal to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBO Rate” with respect to such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the LIBO Rate be less than 0%.
 
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
 
“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, any promissory notes issued pursuant to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit applications, the Loan Party Guaranties, and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates identified in Section 4.01 executed and delivered to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any Lenders and including all other consents, contracts, notices, letter of credit agreements, letter of credit applications and any agreements by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit, and each other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party, and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and all other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party, and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Any reference in the Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to the Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.
 
“Loan Parties” means the Borrowers and the Guarantors, and “Loan Party” shall mean any of them.
 
“Loan Party Guaranty” means any guaranty agreements from any Guarantor as are requested by the Administrative Agent and its counsel, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
 
“Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement, including Swingline Loans.
 
“Manufacturer” means General Motors Corporation.
 
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties to perform any of their obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
 
“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $500,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.
 
“Maturity Date” means October 31, 2019 (as such may be extended pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of Section 2.01).
 
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
 
“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
 
“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
 
“Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on (including without limitation interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and reimbursement obligations and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to any Loan Party, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations of the Loan Parties to the Lenders or to any Lender, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or to the Issuing Bank or any indemnified party arising under the Loan Documents.
 
“OFAC” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
 
“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement.
 
“Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.
 
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
 
“Permitted Encumbrances” means:
 
(a)     liens imposed by law for taxes that are not yet delinquent or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
 
(b)     carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
 
(c)     pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;
 
(d)     deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
 
(e)     judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII; and
 
(f)     easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary;
 
provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.
 
“Permitted Investments” means:
 
(a)     direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
 
(b)     investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;
 
(c)     investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;
 
(d)     fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and
 
(e)     money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.
 
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
 
“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
 
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Wells Fargo as its prime rate in effect at its office located at 1525 W WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte, North Carolina; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
 
“Pro Rata Share” means, for each Lender, the ratio of such Lender’s Commitment to the aggregate Commitments. If at any time the Commitments have been terminated, the amount of any Commitment for the purposes of this definition of “Pro Rata Share” only shall be deemed equal to the amount of such Commitment immediately prior to its termination.
 
“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.
 
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
 
“Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposure and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposure and unused Commitments at such time; provided that (a) it shall require at least two Lenders (with any Lenders that are Affiliates constituting one Lender for purposes of this definition) to constitute Required Lenders if there are two or more Lenders party hereto, and (b) the Revolving Credit Exposure and unused Commitments of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time.
 
“Requirement of Law” means, as to any Person, the Certificate of Incorporation and By Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
 
“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Company or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Company or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Company.
 
“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time. For purposes of calculating “Revolving Credit Exposure” for use in Sections 2.01(a), 2.05(a), 2.06(a) and 2.09(b) (or any other provision determining a Lender’s Commitment to fund), the amount of outstanding Swingline Exposure related to the Floorplan Swingline Loans shall be deemed to be the amount of the Floorplan Swingline Commitment (without regard to the outstanding amount of Floorplan Swingline Loans).
 
“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.03.
 
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
 
“Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government (including those administered by OFAC), the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority.
 
“Sanctioned Country” means at any time, a country or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (including, without limitation, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).
 
“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in clauses (a) and (b).
 
“Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject, with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
 
“subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
 
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company.
 
“Supplemental Employee Retirement Program” means the deferred compensation program established under the Spartan Motors, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as originally adopted on January 1, 2006 and amended January 1, 2009.
 
“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
 
“Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
 
“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.
 
“Swingline Lender” means Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder (as mutually agreed upon with respect to each Swingline Loan between the applicable Borrower and the applicable Swingline Lender), and references to the term “Swingline Lender” in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to each such Swingline Lender as the context shall require.
 
“Swingline Loan” means any Floorplan Swingline Loan or W/C Swingline Loan.
 
“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, fines, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
 
“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.
 
“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.
 
“Unmatured Default” means any event or condition which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
 
“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
 
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.17(e)(3).
 
“Vehicles” means chassis and/or vehicles manufactured by the Manufacturer and acquired by a Borrower for the purpose of upfitting or modifying with special bodies and/or equipment.
 
“W/C Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.05 for a purpose other than financing the acquisition by a Borrower of Vehicles.
 
“Wells Fargo” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, and its successors.
 
“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
 
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

SECTION 1.02.      Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing”).
 
SECTION 1.03.      Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof’ and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
 
SECTION 1.04.      Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Company that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. For purposes of calculating all financial covenants and all other covenants, any Acquisition or any sale or other disposition outside the ordinary course of business by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of related assets in one or a series of related transactions, including the incurrence of any Indebtedness and any related financing or other transactions in connection with any of the foregoing, occurring during the period for which such matters are calculated shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the relevant period for which such matters were calculated on a pro forma basis acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
 
SECTION 1.05.      Foreign Currency Calculations. (a) For purposes of determining the Dollar Equivalent of any Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency or any related amount, the Administrative Agent shall determine the Exchange Rate as of the applicable Exchange Rate Date with respect to each Foreign Currency in which any requested or outstanding Letter of Credit is denominated and shall apply such Exchange Rates to determine such amount (in each case after giving effect to any Letter of Credit Borrowing to be made or repaid on or prior to the applicable date for such calculation).
 
(b)     For purposes of any determination under Article VI or VII, all amounts incurred, outstanding or proposed to be incurred or outstanding, and the amount of each investment, asset disposition or other applicable transaction, denominated in currencies other than Dollars shall be translated into Dollars at the Exchange Rates in effect on the date of such determination; provided that no Default shall arise as a result of any limitation set forth in Dollars in Section 6.01 or 6.02 being exceeded solely as a result of changes in Exchange Rates from those rates applicable at the time or times Indebtedness or Liens were initially consummated in reliance on the exceptions under such Sections. Such Exchange Rates shall be determined in good faith by the Borrowers.
 
Article II.     
THE CREDITS
 
SECTION 2.01.      Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the Availability Period, on a joint and several basis, in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.
 
(b)     The Borrowers may, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), from time to time elect to increase the aggregate Commitments so long as, after giving effect thereto, the total amount of the aggregate Commitments does not exceed $135,000,000. The Borrowers may arrange for any such increase to be provided by one or more Lenders (each Lender so agreeing, electing in its sole discretion, to an increase in its Commitment, an “Increasing Lender”), or by one or more banks, financial institutions or other entities (each such bank, financial institution or other entity, an “Augmenting Lender”), to increase their existing Commitments, or extend Commitments, provided that (i) each Augmenting Lender, shall be subject to the approval of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Borrowers and each applicable Increasing Lender or Augmenting Lender shall execute all such documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify as necessary to give effect to such increase. Increases and new Commitments created pursuant to this clause (b) shall become effective on the date agreed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the relevant Increasing Lenders and Augmenting Lenders, and the Administrative Agent shall notify each affected Lender thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no increase in the aggregate Commitments (or in the Commitment of any Increasing Lender or Augmenting Lender), shall become effective under this Section 2.01(b) unless, (i) on the proposed date of the effectiveness of such increase, the conditions set forth Section 4.02 shall be satisfied and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate to that effect dated such date and executed by a responsible officer of the Borrowers. On the effective date of any increase in the aggregate Commitments, (i) each relevant Increasing Lender and Augmenting Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in immediately available funds and in the relevant currency or currencies as the Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other relevant Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such increase and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other relevant Lenders, each Lender’s portion of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Exposure to equal its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Exposure and (ii) the Borrowers shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Loans as of the date of any increase in the Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified in a notice delivered by the Borrowers in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.03), provided, that such deemed repayment and reborrowing shall not be required in the event that each of the existing Lenders is also an Increasing Lender and the Pro Rata Share of each Lender remains the same after giving effect to such increase in the aggregate Commitments. The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence in respect of each Eurocurrency Loan shall be subject to indemnification by the Borrowers pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16 if the deemed payment occurs other than on the last day of the related Interest Periods. On the effective date of any increase in the aggregate Commitments, each Augmenting Lender and each Increasing Lender shall be deemed a Lender for purposes of this Agreement. The Agent shall promptly distribute a revised Schedule 2.01 to all of the Lenders, which new Schedule 2.01 shall automatically supersede any prior Schedule 2.01.
 
(c)     The Borrowers shall have the option to extend the term of the Availability Period (the “First Option to Extend”) from the initial Maturity Date of October 31, 2019 (the “First Stated Maturity Date”) to October 31, 2020 (the “First Extended Maturity Date”), upon receipt of written notice from Borrowers of Borrowers’ request to exercise the First Option to Extend, which notice shall be provided to Administrative Agent not more than 90 days but not less than 30 days prior to the First Stated Maturity Date, and upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:
 
(i)     ()Administrative Agent and each Lender shall agree (in the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion) in writing to the extension of the Availability Period to the First Extended Maturity Date;
 
(ii)     ()As of the date of Borrowers’ delivery of notice of their request to exercise the First Option to Extend, and as of the First Stated Maturity Date, no Event of Default or Unmatured Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and Borrowers shall so certify in writing;
 
(iii)     ()Borrowers shall execute or cause the execution of all documents reasonably required by Administrative Agent to exercise the First Option to Extend and to evidence the extension of the Availability Period; and
 
(iv)     ()Borrowers shall pay all costs of Administrative Agent in connection with the exercise of the First Option to Extend.
 
From and after the First Stated Maturity Date (inclusive) until, but not including, the First Extended Maturity Date, the definition of Maturity Date shall be deemed modified to be the First Extended Maturity Date. Except as modified by this First Option to Extend, the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect following Borrowers’ proper exercise of the First Option to Extend.
 
(d)     Provided the Borrowers, Administrative Agent and the Lenders have agreed to and Borrowers have properly exercised the First Option to Extend, the Borrowers shall have the option to extend the term of the Availability Period (the “Second Option to Extend”) from the First Extended Maturity Date to October 31, 2021 (the “Second Extended Maturity Date”), upon receipt of written notice from Borrowers of Borrowers’ request to exercise the Second Option to Extend, which notice shall be provided to Administrative Agent not more than 90 days but not less than 30 days prior to the First Extended Maturity Date, and upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:
 
(i)     ()Administrative Agent and each Lender shall agree (in the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion) in writing to the extension of the Availability Period to the Second Extended Maturity Date;
 
(ii)     ()As of the date of Borrowers’ delivery of notice of their request to exercise the Second Option to Extend, and as of the First Extended Maturity Date, no Event of Default or Unmatured Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and Borrowers shall so certify in writing;
 
(iii)     ()Borrowers shall execute or cause the execution of all documents reasonably required by Administrative Agent to exercise the Second Option to Extend and to evidence the extension of the Availability Period; and
 
(iv)     ()Borrowers shall pay all costs of Administrative Agent in connection with the exercise of the Second Option to Extend.
 
From and after the First Extended Maturity Date (inclusive) until, but not including, the Second Extended Maturity Date, the definition of Maturity Date shall be deemed modified to be the Second Extended Maturity Date. Except as modified by this Second Option to Extend, the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect following Borrowers’ proper exercise of the Second Option to Extend.
 
SECTION 2.02.      Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Revolving Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.
 
(b)     Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as a Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan or shall bear interest at an alternate rate agreed upon by the applicable Borrower and the Swingline Lender. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of any Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
 
(c)     At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $1,000,000. At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e). Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an amount required by the Swingline Lender from time to time. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of six (6) Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings outstanding.
 
(d)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Borrower shall be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.
 
SECTION 2.03.      Requests for Revolving Borrowings. To request a Revolving Borrowing, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, electronic transmission or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the applicable Borrower. Each Borrower hereby authorizes any Financial Officer of the Company to submit on behalf of such Borrower Borrowing Requests and any other notices pursuant to this Agreement. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
 
(i)     ()the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
 
(ii)     ()the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
 
(iii)     ()whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;
 
(iv)     ()in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and
 
(v)     ()the location and number of the applicable Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.07.
 
If no election as to the Type of Revolving Borrowing is specified, then the requested Revolving Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
 
SECTION 2.04.      [Intentionally Reserved.]
 
SECTION 2.05.      Swingline Loans. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $15,000,000, (ii) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Commitments, (iii) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Floorplan Swingline Loans exceeding $10,000,000 (the “ Floorplan Swingline Commitment ”), and (iv) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding W/C Swingline Loans exceeding $5,000,000; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, for purposes of determining the amount of the Loans and Letters of Credit that may be made under this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may assume that the aggregate amount of the Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender is $15,000,000, absent a written agreement to the contrary among the Company, the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.
 
(b)     Procedures. (i) Procedures for W/C Swingline Loans. To request a W/C Swingline Loan, a Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not later than 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the day of a proposed W/C Swingline Loan or by such other time and by other procedures as may be agreed upon from time to time between the applicable Borrower and the Swingline Lender. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested W/C Swingline Loan and whether such W/C Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan or shall bear interest at an alternate rate agreed upon by the applicable Borrower and the Swingline Lender, and each W/C Swingline Loan shall bear interest at the ABR or at an alternate rate if agreed upon by the applicable Borrower and the Swingline Lender. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from any Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall make each W/C Swingline Loan available to the applicable Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the applicable Borrower with the Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a W/C Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e), by remittance to the Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the requested date of such W/C Swingline Loan.
 
(ii)     Procedures for Floorplan Swingline Loans. To request a Floorplan Swingline Loan, a Borrower, Manufacturer or such other person or entity as described below shall notify the Swingline Lender by such time and by procedures as may be agreed upon from time to time between the applicable Borrower and the Swingline Lender. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Floorplan Swingline Loan. Each Floorplan Swingline Loan shall bear interest as provided in Schedule 2.05(b)(ii) attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein. Upon request from time to time, the Swingline Lender will promptly advise the Administrative Agent of any such notice received from any Borrower, Manufacturer or other person and/or the then current Swingline Exposure. Each request for a Floorplan Swingline Loan, whether such request comes from a Borrower, from a Manufacturer, from some other person or entity under some drafting or similar type agreement, or from another dealer or third party with respect to (i) the acquisition by a Borrower of a Floored Item or (ii) a refinancing (take-out) of Vehicles financed with another floorplan (inventory) lender (each a “Floorplan Swingline Loan Request”), shall be in writing, in a form acceptable to the Swingline Lender, and shall be accompanied by such information the Swingline Lender may require from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion, including copies of invoices, certificates, bills of sale, delivery tickets, title documents, ledger cards, statements of account, tax receipts, Manufacturer certificates of origin, Manufacturer repurchase agreements or repurchase options or inventory lists of prior floorplan (inventory) lender. The Swingline Lender may refuse to fund, or delay funding of, any Floorplan Swingline Loan Request until the Swingline Lender has reviewed, analyzed and approved such Floorplan Swingline Loan Request and all supporting documentation and information, which review and approval shall be for the purpose of determining that the Manufacturer, distributor or other seller has delivered the requisite documentation pursuant to the Swingline Lender’s agreement with the Manufacturer. Floorplan Swingline Loans may be made by the Swingline Lender at its option directly to the requesting Borrower, to a Manufacturer, distributor or other seller of Floored Items, to any other person or entity in connection with the requesting Borrower’s acquisition of Floored Items, or to the prior floorplan (inventory) lender of a Borrower. Each such Floorplan Swingline Loan, whether by depositing or transferring funds to, or for the account of, a Manufacturer, a prior floorplan (inventory) lender of a Borrower or by paying drafts in any other manner, shall be the same as if the Swingline Lender had issued funds directly to a Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall not be obligated to make any Floorplan Swingline Loan that exceeds 100% of a Borrower’s net cost for any Vehicle, including freight charges and any associated Manufacturer’s “hold-back”, but excluding all other discounts, rebates, prizes, premiums, credits and everything else of value received by such Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Swingline Lender in its sole and absolute discretion may make a Floorplan Swingline Loan (in excess of the net cost, invoice, market reference guide price or purchase price limitations referenced in this sub-paragraph) that is equal to the outstanding principal balance of a Borrower’s Vehicle inventory, as stated by the prior floorplan (inventory) lender.
 
(c)     Payment of Floorplan Swingline Loans. The applicable Borrower shall cause the Manufacturer to forward all proceeds of Floored Items directly to the Swingline Lender for repayment of the Floorplan Swingline Loan which financed the purchase of such Floored Item.
 
(d)     Documentary Drafts. Each Borrower agrees that the Swingline Lender shall have no obligation to examine or review any document provided with any Floorplan Swingline Loan Request including, but not limited to, documentary drafts drawn on a Borrower. The Swingline Lender may conclusively rely on any invoice, advice or other document from a Manufacturer, distributor or other seller of Floored Items as being genuine, authorized and correct in all respects. Each Borrower hereby relieves and releases the Swingline Lender from any and all responsibility and liability whatsoever arising out of, or in any way related to, the correctness, genuineness, sufficiency, validity or authenticity of any invoice, advice or other document or instrument presented to the Swingline Lender for, or in connection with, any payment or for the existence, quantity, quality, condition, identity, packing, value, title, delivery, or any other aspect or quality, of the property purported to be described in, or represented by any such invoice, advice or other document or instrument.
 
(e)     Proceeds of Floored Items. Each Borrower covenants and agrees that it shall not use any proceeds received by such Borrower on account of the sale, lease, transfer, or placing in use of a Floored Item without first repaying, in full, the Floorplan Swingline Loan for such Floored Item.
 
(f)     Dealer Access System. Certain Borrowers have requested access to the Swingline Lender’s internet web based “Dealer Access System” to permit such Borrowers to access certain account information relating to the Floorplan Swingline Loans and to facilitate the making of any payments on the Floorplan Swingline Loans by authorizing the Swingline Lender to debit any one or more of the applicable Borrower’s deposit accounts with the Swingline Lender or with such other financial institutions as indicated by the applicable Borrower. In consideration for the Swingline Lender’s granting to such Borrowers access to the Swingline Lender’s Dealer Access System to view loan account information and make Floorplan Swingline Loan payments, each such Borrower acknowledges its responsibility for the security of its passwords and other information necessary for access to the Swingline Lender’s Dealer Access System and fully, finally, and forever releases the Swingline Lender and its successors, assigns, directors, officers, employees, agents, and representatives from any and all causes of action, claims, debts, demands, and liabilities, of whatever kind or nature, in law or equity, such Borrower may now or hereafter have, in any way relating to such Borrower’s access to, or use of, or the Swingline Lender’s suspension or termination of certain systems features of the Swingline Lender’s Dealer Access System.
 
(g)     Participation by Lenders. The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on any Business Day require the Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the applicable Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrowers (or other party on behalf of the Borrowers) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to any Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve any Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.
 
(h)     Settlement Among Swingline Lender and Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, with respect to the Floorplan Swingline Loans:
 
(i)     It is agreed that, from and after the Effective Date, the Floorplan Swingline Loans are intended by Swingline Lender and Lenders to be shared pro rata by Lenders and Swingline Lender in accordance with their Applicable Percentages. Notwithstanding such agreement, Lenders and Swingline Lender agree that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement with respect to the Floorplan Swingline Loans, settlement between Swingline Lender and Lenders, in connection with the Floorplan Swingline Loans shall, subject to the provisions of clause (iv) below, occur on the last Business Day of each month (the “Settlement Date”) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.05(h).
 
(ii)     Swingline Lender agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders within three (3) Business Days after each Settlement Date, a statement of account with the Borrowers in respect of the Floorplan Swingline Loans for the preceding month. Such monthly statement of account shall state the net Floorplan Swingline Loan balance, and the net amount (excluding any payments of interest, which shall be settled pursuant to clause (iii) hereof) due from a Lender to Swingline Lender, such that such Lender has paid to Swingline Lender its appropriate amount of the applicable Floorplan Swingline Loans. Such payments shall be made in immediately available funds and, absent manifest error, Swingline Lender’s books and records showing the statements of account rendered to each Lender shall be considered accurate unless objected to by a Lender within sixty (60) days from the date the statements of account were rendered to such Lender. If such notice is given by 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time), each Lender, or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, will on such day, by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), pay the net amount. If such statement is given after 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) each Lender, or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, shall make such payments no later than 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the next Business Day.
 
(iii)     Swingline Lender agrees to pay and otherwise account for, to Lenders, no later than the third (3rd) Business Day of each month, the interest due Lenders in respect of its Applicable Percentage in respect of Floorplan Swingline Loans funded during the previous calendar month, as such interest is earned and paid by the applicable Borrower, pursuant to the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Agreement. Lenders shall receive interest to the extent of its Applicable Percentage at the interest rate in respect of the closing daily balances in the applicable Borrower’s Floorplan Swingline Loans account for each day during the immediately preceding calendar month to the extent such amounts were funded by Lenders and as such interest was earned and received by Swingline Lender from the applicable Borrowers pursuant to the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Agreement.
 
(iv)     Swingline Lender shall have the right at any time to require, by notice to the Lenders (delivered as set forth below), that all settlements in respect of Floorplan Swingline Loans made, and repayments of any amounts outstanding under this Agreement with respect to the Floorplan Swingline Loans be made on the last Business Day of each week or a daily basis (in either case, the “Alternative Settlement Date”). Swingline Lender shall deliver written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders two (2) Business Days prior to the effectiveness of any such Alternative Settlement Date, unless an Unmatured Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under any of the Loan Documents, in which case such written notice may be delivered prior to 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the Business Day prior to the date such Alternative Settlement Date is to be effective. From and after the giving of such notice (and until such time, if any, as Swingline Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of its determination to return to another settlement date), each Lender shall pay to Swingline Lender such Lender’s ratable portion of the amount of any Floorplan Swingline Loan to be made under this Agreement (x) in the case of a daily Alternative Settlement Basis, on the date such Floorplan Swingline Loan is made provided that Lenders receive notice of the Floorplan Swingline Loan by 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time), or by 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the following Business Day in the event Lenders receive notice after 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) of a Floorplan Swingline Loan and (y) in the case of a weekly Alternative Settlement Basis, on a basis similar to that described in clause (ii) of this Section 2.05(h) (and as shall be more fully described in the applicable notice of Alternative Settlement Date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that in the event that on any Business Day, after giving effect to the payments received for, or collections on account of, any Floorplan Swingline Loan, the principal amount of such Floorplan Swingline Loan funded by Lenders based on their respective Applicable Percentage exceeds the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Floorplan Swingline Loan, Swingline Lender shall have the right to require, by notice to Lenders, that settlements with respect to such Floorplan Swingline Loan be made on such day, so long as written notice is delivered to Lenders prior to 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on such day, or on the next succeeding Business Day, if such notice is received after 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on such date.
 
(v)     Swingline Lender and Lenders each acknowledge and agree that it is for the convenience of the parties to this Agreement that funding of Floorplan Swingline Loans under the this Agreement by Lenders and allocation of collections in respect of such Floorplan Swingline Loans between Swingline Lender and Lenders will occur on the basis of the settlement procedures described in this Section 2.05(h). For the avoidance of doubt, Swingline Lender and Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree, that Lender’s obligation to fund its Applicable Percentage of any Floorplan Swingline Loan funded under this Agreement by Swingline Lender shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against Swingline Lender, any Borrower or any other party for any reason whatsoever (except Lender’s right of set off with respect to amounts otherwise payable by Swingline Lender to such Lender hereunder and wrongfully withheld by Swingline Lender); (B) the occurrence or continuance of any Unmatured Default or Event of Default; (C) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or any other party; or (D) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. If a Lender does not make available to Swingline Lender the amount required pursuant to clause (ii) above, Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender, together with interest thereon for each day from the date of non-payment until such amount is paid in full, at the Federal Funds Rate.
 
(vi)     If any amounts received by Swingline Lender hereunder are later required to be returned or repaid by Swingline Lender to the Borrowers, whether by court order, settlement or otherwise, each Lender shall, upon demand by Swingline Lender, pay to Swingline Lender an amount equal to Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all such amounts required to be returned by Swingline Lender.
 
(vii)     If a Lender shall, at any time, fail to make any payment to Swingline Lender required hereunder, Swingline Lender may, but shall not be required to, retain payments that would otherwise be made to such Lender hereunder and apply such payments to such Lender’s defaulted obligations hereunder, at such time, and in such order, as Swingline Lender may elect in its sole and absolute discretion.
 
(viii)     With respect to the payment of any funds under this Section 2.05(h), whether from Swingline Lender to a Lender or from a Lender to Swingline Lender, the party failing to make full payment when due pursuant to the terms hereof shall, upon written demand by the other party, pay such amount together with interest on such amount at the Federal Funds Rate.
 
(i)     Independent Swingline Lender Obligations. The failure of any Swingline Lender to make its Swingline Loan shall not relieve any other Swingline Lender of its obligation hereunder to make its Swingline Loan on the date of such Swingline Loan, but no Swingline Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Swingline Lender to make a Swingline Loan.
 
SECTION 2.06.      Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars or any Foreign Currency for its own account, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the applicable Borrower to, or entered into by the applicable Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, each Existing Letter of Credit shall, without any further action by any party, be deemed to have been issued as a Letter of Credit hereunder on the Effective Date and shall for all purposes hereof be treated as a Letter of Credit under this Agreement.
 
(b)     Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the applicable Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the applicable Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $20,000,000 and (ii) the total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the total Commitments.
 
(c)     Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (provided that Letters of Credit having a one-year tenor may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods, but not extending beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) below) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date (the “L/C Maturity Date”), except that Borrowers may request Letters of Credit with an aggregate L/C Exposure not to exceed $1,000,000 with a term in excess of one year and/or with an expiration date beyond the L/C Maturity Date, but not beyond October 31, 2020, provided, however, that with respect to any such Letter of Credit with an expiration subsequent to the L/C Maturity Date, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders or Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure may from time to time demand delivery of Cash Collateral on any Business Day commencing on the L/C Maturity Date, and on the Business Day that the applicable Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders or Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure demanding the deposit of Cash Collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the applicable Borrower shall fully Cash Collateralize the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Such Cash Collateral shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the applicable Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the applicable Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Subject to other applicable provisions of this Agreement regarding the application of Cash Collateral in relation to L/C Exposure following the occurrence of an Event of Default, moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the applicable Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time.
 
(d)     Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the applicable Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the applicable Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.
 
(e)     Reimbursement. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the applicable Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the applicable Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the applicable Borrower receives such notice;  provided  that the applicable Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the applicable Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the applicable Borrower fails to make such payment when due, such amount, if denominated in Foreign Currency shall be converted to Dollars and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the applicable Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the applicable Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply,  mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the applicable Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the applicable Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the applicable Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.
 
(f)     Obligations Absolute. Each Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the applicable Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the applicable Issuing Bank;  provided  that nothing in this subsection 2.06(f) shall be construed to excuse the applicable Issuing Bank from liability to the applicable Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by each Borrower to the extent permitted by Applicable Law) suffered by the applicable Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of an Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
 
(g)     Disbursement Procedures. The applicable Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided  that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the applicable Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.
 
(h)     Interim Interest. If the applicable Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the applicable Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the applicable Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans (or in the case such LC Disbursement is denominated in a Foreign Currency, at the rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be the cost of funding such amount plus the then Applicable Rate with respect to Eurodollar Loans);  provided  that, if the applicable Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(d) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
 
(i)     Replacement of an Issuing Bank. An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the applicable Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the applicable Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous or other Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous and other Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
 
(j)     Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the applicable Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of Cash Collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the applicable Borrower shall fully Cash Collateralize the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon;  provided  that the obligation to deposit such Cash Collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the applicable Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII. Such Cash Collateral shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the applicable Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the applicable Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the applicable Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the applicable Borrower under this Agreement. If a Borrower is required to provide an amount of Cash Collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the applicable Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.
 
(k)     Information to Administrative Agent and Lenders. Promptly following any change in any Letters of Credit outstanding, the applicable Issuing Bank shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Borrowers a notice describing the aggregate amount of all Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank outstanding at such time. Upon the request of any Lender from time to time, an Issuing Bank shall deliver any other information reasonably requested by such Lender with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank then outstanding. Other than as set forth in this subsection, an Issuing Bank shall have no duty to notify the Lenders regarding the issuance or other matters regarding Letters of Credit issued hereunder. The failure of an Issuing Bank to perform its requirements under this subsection shall not relieve any Lender from its obligations under the immediately preceding subsection (d).
 
SECTION 2.07.      Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, Eastern time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the applicable Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, either (i) to an account of the applicable Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent, or (ii) via wire transfer pursuant to instructions provided by the applicable Borrower, in each case as designated by the applicable Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.
 
(b)     Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the applicable Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the applicable Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the applicable Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.
 
SECTION 2.08.      Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the applicable Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The applicable Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.
 
(b)     To make an election pursuant to this Section, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the applicable Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the applicable Borrower.
 
(c)     Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
 
(i)     the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
 
(ii)     the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
 
(iii)     whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and
 
(iv)     if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”. If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
 
(d)     Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.
 
(e)     If the applicable Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the applicable Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Revolving Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
 
SECTION 2.09.      Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.
 
(b)     The Borrowers may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and (ii) the Borrowers shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total Commitments.
 
(c)     The Borrowers shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrowers pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrowers may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrowers (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.
 
SECTION 2.10.      Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrowers hereby unconditionally promise to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date, and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earliest of (x) the Maturity Date, (y) the date five (5) Business Days after demand by the Swingline Lender in its discretion if no Event of Default exists and (z) the demand by the Swingline Lender in its discretion if an Event of Default exists. The Obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the Loan Documents are joint and several.
 
(b)     Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
 
(c)     The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.
 
(d)     The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie  evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein absent manifest error; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
 
(e)     Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrowers shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).
 
SECTION 2.11.      Prepayment of Loans. (a) Each Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section.
 
(b)     The applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Revolving Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Revolving Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Revolving Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Revolving Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13.
 
SECTION 2.12.      Fees. (a) The Borrowers agree to pay, on a joint and several basis, to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
 
(b)     The Borrowers agree to pay, on a joint and several basis, (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the applicable Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
 
(c)     The Borrowers agree to pay, on a joint and several basis, to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Company and the Administrative Agent.
 
(d)     The Borrowers agree to pay, on a joint and several basis, to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender an upfront fee as set forth in the Fee Letter.
 
(e)     All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately
available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to an Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
 
SECTION 2.13.      Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate.
 
(b)     The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.
 
(c)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by any Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.
 
(d)     Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.
 
(e)     All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
 
SECTION 2.14.      Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
 
(a)     the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period; or
 
(b)     the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrowers and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Revolving Borrowing to, or continuation of any Revolving Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.
 
SECTION 2.15.      Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law shall:
 
(i)     impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or any Issuing Bank; or
 
(ii)     impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or such Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
 
(b)     If any Lender or an Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
 
(c)     A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrowers and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
 
(d)     Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand
compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrowers of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
 
SECTION 2.16.      Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrowers and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
 
SECTION 2.17.      Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if any Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) such Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.
 
(b)     In addition, the Borrowers shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant
Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.
 
(c)     Each Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of such Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrowers by a Lender or an Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
 
(d)     As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Borrower to a Governmental Authority, such Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
 
(e)     (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in  Section 2.17(e)(ii)(A) , (ii)(B)  and  (ii)(D)  below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
 
(ii)     Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
 
(A)     Any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from United States federal backup withholding tax;
 
(B)     any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
 
(1)     in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, United States federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, United States federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
 
(2)     executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;
 
(3)     in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or
 
(4)     to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable;  provided  that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
 
(C)     any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
 
(D)     if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to United States federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
 
Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
 
(f)     If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Borrower or with respect to which a Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17, it shall pay over such refund to such Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Borrower under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, that each Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrowers or any other Person.
 
SECTION 2.18.      Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. (a) Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at such office designated by the Administrative Agent, except payments to be made directly to an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder of (i) principal or interest in respect of any Loan shall be made in Dollars, (ii) reimbursement obligations shall be made in the currency in which the Letter of Credit in respect of which such reimbursement obligation exists is denominated and (iii) any other amount due hereunder or under another Loan Document shall be made in Dollars.
 
(b)     If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.
 
(c)     If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or
otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to any Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under Applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.
 
(d)     Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or an Issuing Bank hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if such Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
 
(e)     If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c), 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
 
SECTION 2.19.      Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
 
(b)     If any Lender (i) shall become affected by any of the changes or events described in Section 2.15 or 2.17 and any Borrower is required to pay additional amounts or make indemnity payments with respect to the Lender thereunder, (ii) is a Defaulting Lender or (iii) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination which pursuant to the terms of Section 9.02 or any other provision of any Loan Document requires the consent of all affected Lenders and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent (any such Lender being hereinafter referred to as a “Departing Lender”), then in such case, the Borrowers may, upon at least five Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent and such Departing Lender (or such shorter notice period specified by the Administrative Agent), designate a replacement lender acceptable to the Administrative Agent (a “Replacement Lender”) to which such Departing Lender shall, subject to its receipt (unless a later date for the remittance thereof shall be agreed upon by the Borrowers and the Departing Lender) of all amounts owed to such Departing Lender under Sections 2.15 or 2.17, assign all (but not less than all) of its interests, rights, obligations, Loans and Commitments hereunder; provided, that the Departing Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the Replacement Lender (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts). Upon any assignment by any Lender pursuant to this Section 2.19 becoming effective, the Replacement Lender shall thereupon be deemed to be a “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement (unless such Replacement Lender was, itself, a Lender prior thereto) and such Departing Lender shall thereupon cease to be a “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement and shall have no further rights or obligations hereunder (other than pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17 and Section 9.03) while such Departing Lender was a Lender.
 
(c)     Notwithstanding any Departing Lender’s failure or refusal to assign its rights, obligations, Loans and Commitments under this Section 2.19, the Departing Lender shall cease to be a “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement and the Replacement Lender shall be substituted therefor upon payment to the Departing Lender by the Replacement Lender of all amounts set forth in this Section 2.19 without any further action of the Departing Lender.
 
SECTION 2.20.      Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law:
 
(a)     Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders.
 
(b)     Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder;  third , to Cash Collateralize each Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with subsection (e) below;  fourth , as the Borrowers may request (so long as no Unmatured Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent;  fifth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize any Issuing Bank’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with subsection (e) below;  sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement;  seventh , so long as no Unmatured Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrowers against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and  eighth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction;  provided  that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements, in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Article IV. were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in LC Exposure and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (determined without giving effect to subsection (d) of this Section 2.20 below). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
 
(c)     Certain Fees.
 
(i)     No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.12(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
 
(ii)     Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive payable under Section 2.12(b) participation fees with respect to Letters of Credit for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section 2.20 below.
 
(iii)     With respect to any fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to the immediately preceding clauses (i) or (ii), the Borrowers shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in LC Exposure or Swingline Exposure that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to the immediately following subsection (d), (y) pay to each Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Bank’s or Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
 
(d)     Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (determined without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Article IV are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrowers shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.
 
(e)     Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swingline Loans.
 
(i)     If the reallocation described in the immediately preceding subsection (d) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize each Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in this subsection.
 
(ii)     At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within 1 Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrowers shall Cash Collateralize each Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to the immediately preceding subsection (d) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the aggregate Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Banks with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time.
 
(iii)     The Borrowers, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks, and agree to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lenders’ obligation to fund participations in respect of LC Exposure, to be applied pursuant to the immediately following clause (iv). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the aggregate Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Banks with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, the Borrowers will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
 
(iv)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of LC Exposure (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.
 
(v)     Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce any Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this subsection following (x) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (y) the determination by the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank that there exists excess Cash Collateral;  provided  that, subject to the preceding subsection (b) of this Section 2.20, the Person providing Cash Collateral and any applicable Issuing Bank may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure.
 
(f)     Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (determined without giving effect to the immediately preceding subsection (d)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender;  provided  that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and  provided ,  further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
 
(g)     New Swingline Loans/Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan and (ii) no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.
 
Article III.     
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
Each Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:
 
SECTION 3.01.      Organization; Powers. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where a failure to be so qualified would result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Borrower, nor any of its or their Subsidiaries, is an EEA Financial Institution.
 
SECTION 3.02.      Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within the Borrower’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
 
SECTION 3.03.      Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The performance by the Borrower and, if applicable, the Subsidiaries of its or their obligations under Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not violate any Applicable Law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
 
SECTION 3.04.      Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a) The Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2015, reported on by BDO Seidman, LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the Fiscal Quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2016, certified by its chief financial officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.
 
(b)     Since December 31, 2015, there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
 
SECTION 3.05.      Properties. (a) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes.
 
(b)     Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(c)     As of the Effective Date, each Subsidiary of the Borrower, including its
ownership, is described on Schedule 3.05 hereto. Each Subsidiary of the Borrower has and will have all requisite power to own or lease the properties material to its business and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted. All outstanding shares of Equity Interests of each class of each Subsidiary of the Borrower have been and will be validly issued and are and will be fully paid and nonassessable and, except as otherwise indicated in Schedule 3.05 hereto or disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders from time to time, are and will be owned, beneficially and of record, by the Borrower or another Subsidiary of the Borrower free and clear of any Liens other than Liens permitted under this Agreement.
 
SECTION 3.06.      Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.
 
(b)     Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply in all material respects with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply in all material respects with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.
 
(c)     Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 3.07.      Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 3.08.      Investment Company Status. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
SECTION 3.09.      Taxes. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 3.10.      ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan.
 
SECTION 3.11.      Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
 
SECTION 3.12.      Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions(a)     . (a) None of (i) the Borrowers, any of the other Loan Parties, any of the other Subsidiaries, or any other Affiliate of any Borrower or (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent or representative of any Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the Agreement: (A) is a Sanctioned Person or currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (B) has its assets located in a Sanctioned Country, (C) directly or indirectly derives revenues from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Persons, (D) has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such Persons of any Anti-Corruption Laws, or (E) has violated any Anti-Money Laundering Law. Each of the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties, each of the other Subsidiaries, or each other Affiliate of any Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the such Borrower, other Loan Party or Subsidiary and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates with the Anti-Corruption Laws. Each Borrower, other Loan Party and Subsidiary, and to the knowledge of the Borrowers, each director, officer, employee, agent and Affiliate of each Borrower and each such Subsidiary, is in compliance with the Anti-Corruption Laws in all material respects.
 
(b)     No proceeds of the Loans have been used, directly or indirectly, by the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties, each of the other Subsidiaries, or each other Affiliate of any Borrower or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, including any payments (directly or indirectly) to a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
 
SECTION 3.13.      No Default. No Event of Default or Unmatured Default has occurred and is continuing.

Article IV.     
CONDITIONS
 
SECTION 4.01.      Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):
 
(a)     Credit Agreement and Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement and (ii) duly executed copies of the Loan Documents and such other legal opinions, certificates, documents, instruments, lien searches and agreements and other conditions and requirements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Loan Documents, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
 
(b)     Opinion. The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Varnum LLP, counsel for the Loan Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders, and covering such matters relating to the Loan Parties, this Agreement or the Transactions as the Required Lenders shall reasonably request. The Borrowers hereby request such counsel to deliver such opinion.
 
(c)     Charter Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Loan Parties, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the Loan Parties, this Agreement or the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
 
(d)     Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of each Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02.
 
(e)     Financial Statements. The Lenders shall have received satisfactory historical financial statements, pro forma financial statements and projections of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including (i)(A) audited consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of income, shareholder’s equity and cash flows for the three most recently completed Fiscal Years ended at least 90 days prior to the Effective Date, (B) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for each interim Fiscal Quarter ended since the last audited financial statements and at least 45 days prior to the Effective Date and (iii) if requested by Administrative Agent, internal consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for each interim fiscal month ended since the last quarterly financial statements and at least 30 days prior to the Effective Date; and (ii) projections prepared by management of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which will be quarterly for the first year after the Effective Date and annually thereafter for the term of this Agreement (and which will not be inconsistent with information previously provided to the Administrative Agent).
 
(f)     Fees. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received, substantially concurrently with the effectiveness hereof, all fees required to be paid, and all expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and documented expenses of legal counsel to the Administrative Agent), on or before the Effective Date.
 
(g)     Existing Indebtedness. The Borrowers shall have paid, concurrently with the
initial Loans hereunder, all Indebtedness that is not permitted hereunder and shall have terminated all credit facilities and all Liens relating thereto, all in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
 
(h)     Consents; Defaults.
 
(i)     Governmental and Third Party Approvals. The Lenders shall have received all material governmental, shareholder and third party consents and approvals necessary (or any other material consents as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any Person that could reasonably be expected to restrain, prevent or impose any material adverse conditions on any of the Lenders or such other transactions or that could seek or threaten any of the foregoing, and no law or regulation shall be applicable which in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent could reasonably be expected to have such effect.
 
(ii)     No Injunction, Etc. No action, proceeding or investigation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any Governmental Authority to enjoin, restrain, or prohibit, or to obtain substantial damages in respect of, or which is related to or arises out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or which, in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, would make it inadvisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
 
(i)     PATRIOT Act, etc. The Loan Parties shall have provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the documentation and other information requested by the Administrative Agent in order to comply with requirements of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act and any applicable “know your customer” rules and regulations.
 
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, on December 31, 2016 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).
 
SECTION 4.02.      Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
 
(a)     The representations and warranties of the Borrowers set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable.
 
(b)     At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Event of Default or Unmatured Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
 
Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.
 
Article V.     
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
 
Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
 
SECTION 5.01.      Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
 
(a)     within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all reported on by BDO Seidman, LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
 
(b)     within 45 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous Fiscal Year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
 
(c)     concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company (i) certifying as to whether an Event of Default has occurred and, if an Event of Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.13 and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate; and
 
(d)     promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Company or any Subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, as the case may be; and
 
(e)     promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of any Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
 
SECTION 5.02.      Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:
 
(a)     the occurrence of any Event of Default or Unmatured Default;
 
(b)     the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
 
(c)     the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000,000; and
 
(d)     any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
 
Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
 
SECTION 5.03.      Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.
 
SECTION 5.04.      Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 5.05.      Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.
 
SECTION 5.06.      Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.
 
SECTION 5.07.      Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries, to be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation, or list of any government agency (including, without limitation, the U.S. Office of Foreign Asset Control list) that prohibits or limits any Lender from making any advance or extension of credit to the Borrower or Guarantor or from otherwise conducting business with the Borrower or Guarantor, or fail to provide documentary and other evidence of the Borrower’s or Guarantor’s identity as may be reasonably requested by any Bank at any time to enable such Lender to verify the Borrower’s or Guarantor’s identity or to comply with any Applicable Law or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of 2001, 31 U.S.C. Section 5318.
 
SECTION 5.08.      Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. (a) The proceeds of the Loans will be used only to (i) refinance existing Indebtedness (ii) to consummate mergers and Acquisitions permitted by this Agreement and (iii) for general corporate purposes. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.
 
(b)     The Borrowers will not request any extension of credit, and the Borrowers shall not use, and shall ensure that the Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any extension of credit, directly or indirectly, (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
SECTION 5.09.      Compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Each Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

SECTION 5.10.      Further Assurances. (a) To guarantee the payment when due of the Obligations, the Borrower shall cause to be executed and delivered to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, Loan Party Guaranties of all present and future Guarantors.
 
(b)     The Borrower agrees that it will promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the formation or acquisition of any Subsidiary. The Borrower agree that it will promptly cause each Loan Party to execute and deliver, promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such additional Loan Party Guaranties and other agreements, documents and instruments, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, sufficient to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, the Loan Party Guaranties contemplated by this Agreement. Additionally, the Borrower shall execute and deliver, and cause each Domestic Subsidiary to execute and deliver, promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such certificates, legal opinions, insurance, lien searches, environmental reports, organizational and other charter documents, resolutions and other documents and agreements as the Administrative Agent may request in connection therewith.
 
SECTION 5.11.      Additional Covenants. If at any time the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into or be a party to any instrument or agreement, including all such instruments or agreements in existence as of the date hereof and all such instruments or agreements entered into after the date hereof, relating to or amending any provisions applicable to any of its Indebtedness, which includes any material covenants or defaults not substantially provided for in this Agreement or more favorable to the lender or lenders thereunder than those provided for in this Agreement, then the Borrower shall promptly so advise the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Thereupon, if the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall request, upon notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement or an additional agreement (as the Administrative Agent may request), providing for substantially the same material covenants and defaults as those provided for in such instrument or agreement to the extent required and as may be selected by the Administrative Agent.
 
Article VI.     
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
 
Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
 
SECTION 6.01.      Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
 
(a)     Indebtedness created hereunder;
 
(b)     Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;
 
(c)     Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;
 
(d)     Guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;
 
(e)     Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) shall not exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding; and
 
(f)     If no Event of Default or Unmatured Default exists or would be caused thereby, other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $20,000,000 at any time outstanding.
 
SECTION 6.02.      Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:
 
(a)     Permitted Encumbrances;
 
(b)     any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;
 
(c)     any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof; and
 
(d)     Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section 6.01, (ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
 
SECTION 6.03.      Fundamental Changes. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default or Unmatured Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any Subsidiary may merge into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving corporation, (ii) any Subsidiary may merge into any Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Subsidiary, (iii) any Subsidiary may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its assets to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary and (iv) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 6.04.
 
(b)     The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date of execution of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related thereto.
 
SECTION 6.04.      Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any capital stock, evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or make any Acquisition, except:
 
(a)     Permitted Investments;
 
(b)     investments by the Borrower in the capital stock of its Subsidiaries;
 
(c)     loans or advances made by the Borrower to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;
 
(d)     Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01; and
 
(e)     any merger or Acquisition if (i) such merger involves any Borrower, such Borrower shall be the surviving or continuing corporation thereof, (ii) immediately before and after giving effect such merger or acquisition, no Event of Default or Unmatured Default shall exist or shall have occurred and be continuing and the representations and warranties contained in Article III and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the date thereof (both before and after such merger or Acquisition is consummated) as if made on the date such merger or acquisition is consummated, (iii) at least 10 Business Days’ prior to the consummation of such merger or acquisition, the Borrower shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Borrower (attaching pro forma computations acceptable to the Administrative Agent to demonstrate compliance with all financial covenants hereunder, and a pro forma Leverage Ratio of not more than 2.75 to 1.0), each stating that such merger or acquisition complies with this Section 6.04(e), all laws and regulations and that any other conditions under this Agreement relating to such transaction have been satisfied, and such certificate shall contain such other information and certifications as requested by the Administrative Agent and be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (iv) at least 10 Business Days’ prior to the consummation of such merger or acquisition, the Borrower shall have delivered all acquisition documents and other agreements and documents relating to such merger or acquisition, and the Administrative Agent shall have completed a satisfactory review thereof and completed such other due diligence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (v) the Borrower shall, at least 10 Business Days prior to the consummation of merger or acquisition, provide such other certificates and documents as requested by the Administrative Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (vi) the target of such merger or Acquisition is in the same line of business as the Borrower or a Subsidiary, and (vii) such merger or Acquisition is not opposed by the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the selling person or the person whose equity interests are to be acquired, unless the Administrative Agent consents to such merger or Acquisition.
 
SECTION 6.05.      Swap Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure, and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
 
SECTION 6.06.      Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except (a) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, (b) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, (c) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (d) other Restricted Payments not exceeding (i) $20,000,000 during any Fiscal Year, provided that (A) such Restricted Payments shall not exceed $6,000,000 in the aggregate during the first three Fiscal Quarters of any Fiscal Year (or such greater amount as may be approved in writing by all of the Lenders), (B) as of the end of such Fiscal Year and at the time of the making of any Restricted Payment during such Fiscal Year (provided such Restricted Payment together with all prior Restricted Payments made during such Fiscal Year exceeds $6,000,000 in the aggregate) the Leverage Ratio (on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment when determined in connection with the making of a Restricted Payment) is less than or equal to 2.0 to 1.0, and (C) no less than five Business Days prior to making any Restricted Payment which when added to all prior Restricted Payments made during such Fiscal Year exceeds $6,000,000, Borrower delivers its pro forma computations acceptable to the Administrative Agent to demonstrate its compliance with the immediately preceding clause (B), and (ii) $6,000,000 in any Fiscal Year provided that as the end of such Fiscal Year the Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.0 to 1.0.
 
SECTION 6.07.      Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an aim’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Borrower and its wholly owned Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate and (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.06.
 
SECTION 6.08.      Restrictive Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any shares of its capital stock or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to guaranty Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.08 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness and (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof.
 
SECTION 6.09.      Disposition of Assets; Etc. Sell, lease, license, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of any material portion of its business, assets, rights, revenues or property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, whether in one or a series of transactions, other than inventory sold in the ordinary course of business upon customary credit terms and sales of scrap or obsolete material or equipment, provided, however, that this Section 6.09 shall not prohibit any such sale, lease, license, transfer, assignment or other disposition if the aggregate book value (disregarding any write-downs of such book value other than ordinary depreciation and amortization) of all of the business, assets, rights, revenues and property disposed of after the date of this Agreement shall be less than 10% percent of such aggregate book value of the total assets of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be and if, immediately before and after such transaction, no Event of Default or Unmatured Default shall exist or shall have occurred and be continuing.
 
SECTION 6.10.       Nature of Business. Make any substantial change in the nature of its business from that engaged in on the date of this Agreement or engage in any other businesses other than those in which it is engaged on the date of this Agreement.
 
SECTION 6.11.      Inconsistent Agreements. Enter into any agreement containing any provision which would be violated or breached by this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or by performance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of its obligations in connection therewith.
 
SECTION 6.12.      Accounting Changes. The Company shall not change its Fiscal Year or make any significant changes (a) in accounting treatment and reporting practices except as permitted by GAAP and disclosed to the Lenders, or (b) in tax reporting treatment except as permitted by law and disclosed to the Lenders.
 
SECTION 6.13.      Financial Covenants. The Borrowers will not:
 
(a)     Leverage Ratio. Permit or suffer the Leverage Ratio to exceed 3.0 to 1.0 as of any Fiscal Quarter end, commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2016.
 
(b)     Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit or suffer the Interest Coverage Ratio to be less than 2.5 to 1.0 as of any Fiscal Quarter end, commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2016.
 
(c)     Tangible Net Worth. Permit or suffer the Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at any time to be less than (i) $110,000,000, plus (ii) 50% of Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Subsidiaries for each Fiscal Year, commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2016, provided that if such net income is negative in any such Fiscal Year, the amount added for such Fiscal Year shall be zero and such amount shall not reduce the amount added pursuant to any other Fiscal Year.
 
Article VII.     
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:
 
(a)     any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;
 
(b)     any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;
 
(c)     any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Borrower or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect when made or deemed made;
 
(d)     any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02, 5.03 (with respect to any Borrower’s existence) or 5.08 or in Article VI;
 
(e)     any Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);
 
(f)     any Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, after giving effect to any grace period, if any;
 
(g)     any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;
 
(h)     an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of any Borrower or any Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 90 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
 
(i)     any Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
 
(j)     any Borrower or any Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
 
(k)     one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000 shall be rendered against any Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of any Borrower or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;
 
(l)     an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
 
(m)     a Change in Control shall occur;
 
(n)     any Loan Document shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of any Loan Document, or any Loan Party shall fail to comply with any of the terms or provisions of any Loan Document if the failure continues beyond any period of grace provided for in the applicable Loan Document;
 
(o)     any material provision of any other Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (or any Loan Party shall challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction based on any such assertion, that any provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms); or
 
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to a Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrowers, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers; and in case of any event with respect to any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers, and (iii) exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity.
 
Article VIII.     
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
 
Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf, including (in the case of the Administrative Agent) execution of the other Loan Documents, and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
 
The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with any Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
 
The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by a Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Documents, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection with any Loan Document, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
 
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
 
The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
 
Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrowers. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, subject to the consent of the Borrowers (provided no Event of Default then exists), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrowers and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.
 
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
 
Article IX.     
MISCELLANEOUS
 
SECTION 9.01.      Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
 
(i)     if to the Borrowers, to them at 1541 Reynolds Road, Charlotte, MI 48813, Attention of the Director of Investment Relations & Treasury (Telecopy No. (517) 543-5403);
 
(ii)     if to the Administrative Agent or Wells Fargo as an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 1525 W WT Harris Blvd., MAC D1109-019, Charlotte, NC 28262, Attention of Syndication Agency Services (Telecopy No. (704) 590-2765);
 
(iii)     if to JPMorgan Chase Bank as an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Loan and Agency Services Group, 10 South Dearborn, 7th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Mail Code IL1-0010, Attention of Muoy Lim (Telecopy No. (312) 385-7183);
 
(iv)     if to PNC Bank, N.A., to Brecksville Lending Services, 6750 Miller Road, Brecksville, OH, 44141-3262, Attention of Angela Johnson (Telecopy No. (877) 718-7654); and
 
(v)     if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
 
(b)     Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrowers may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
 
(c)     Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
 
SECTION 9.02.      Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under any other Loan Document are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Event of Default at the time.
 
(b)     Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce or forgive any interest or fees or other amounts payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, or (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be.
 
SECTION 9.03.      Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The Borrowers shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the applicable Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
 
(b)     The Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the applicable Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
 
(c)     To the extent that any Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.
 
(d)     To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Borrowers shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.
 
(e)     All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.
 
SECTION 9.04.      Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) a Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by a Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
 
(b)     (i)     Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:
 
(A)     the Borrowers, provided that no consent of the Borrowers shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;
 
(B)     the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of any Commitment to an assignee that is a Lender with a Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment; and
 
(C)     each Issuing Bank.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Lender may not assign all or any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates.
 
(ii)     Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
 
(A)     except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $1,000,000 unless each of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of any Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
 
(B)     each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans;
 
(C)     the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and
 
(D)     the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrowers, the Loan Parties and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and Applicable Laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
 
For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term “Approved Fund” has the following meaning:
 
“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
 
(iii)     Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
 
(iv)     The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
 
(v)     Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c), 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
 
(b)     (i)     Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement;  provided  that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Lender may not sell a participation to a Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates.
 
(ii)     A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrowers’ prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless the Borrowers are notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender.
 
(c)     Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
 
SECTION 9.05.      Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Event of Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
 
SECTION 9.06.      Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
 
SECTION 9.07.      Severability. Any provision of any Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
 
SECTION 9.08.      Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower or any Guarantor against any of and all the Obligations held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.
 
SECTION 9.09.      Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of Michigan.
 
(b)     Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in Michigan, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such courts in Michigan. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against any Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
 
(c)     Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
 
(d)     Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
 
SECTION 9.10.      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
 
SECTION 9.11.      Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
 
SECTION 9.12.      Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by any Requirement of Law or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to any Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrowers or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than a Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from any Borrower relating to any Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by a Borrower;  provided  that, in the case of information received from a Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
 
SECTION 9.13.      Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under Applicable Law (collectively the “ Charges ”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “ Maximum Rate ”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with Applicable Law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
 
SECTION 9.14.      Joint and Several Obligations: Contribution Rights; Savings Clause. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are joint and several.
 
(b)     If any Borrower makes a payment in respect of the Obligations it shall have the rights of contribution set forth below against the other Borrowers; provided that such Borrower shall not exercise its right of contribution until all the Obligations shall have been finally paid in full in cash. If any Borrower makes a payment in respect of the Obligations that is smaller in proportion to its Payment Share (as hereinafter defined) than such payments made by the other Borrowers are in proportion to the amounts of their respective Payment Shares, the Borrower making such proportionately smaller payment shall, when permitted by the preceding sentence, pay to the other Borrowers an amount such that the net payments made by the Borrower in respect of the Obligations shall be shared among the Borrowers pro rata in proportion to their respective Payment Shares. If any Borrower receives any payment that is greater in proportion to the amount of its Payment Shares than the payments received by the other Borrowers are in proportion to the amounts of their respective Payment Shares, the Borrower receiving such proportionately greater payment shall, when permitted by the second preceding sentence, pay to the other Borrowers an amount such that the payments received by the Borrowers shall be shared among the Borrowers pro rata in proportion to their respective Payment Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this paragraph or in this Agreement, no liability or obligation of any Borrower that shall accrue pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid nor shall it be deemed owed pursuant to this paragraph until all of the Obligations shall be finally paid in full in cash.
 
For purposes hereof, the “Payment Share” of each Borrower shall be the sum of (a) the aggregate proceeds of the Obligations received by such Borrower plus (b) the product of (i) the aggregate Obligations remaining unpaid on the date such Obligations become due and payable in full, whether by stated maturity, acceleration, or otherwise (the “Determination Date”) reduced by the amount of such Obligations attributed to all or such Borrowers pursuant to clause (a) above, times (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is such Borrower’s net worth on the effective date of this Agreement (determined as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal reporting period of such Borrower), and the denominator of which is the aggregate net worth of all Borrowers on such effective date.
 
(c)     It is the intent of each Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that each Borrower’s maximum Obligations shall be in, but not in excess of:
 
(i)     in a case or proceeding commenced by or against such Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code on or within one year from the date on which any of the Obligations are incurred, the maximum amount that would not otherwise cause the Obligations (or any other obligations of such Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) to be avoidable or unenforceable against such Borrower under (A) Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or (B) any state fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance act or statute applied in such case or proceeding by virtue of Section 544 of the Bankruptcy Code; or
 
(ii)     in a case or proceeding commenced by or against such Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code subsequent to one year from the date on which any of the Obligations are incurred, the maximum amount that would not otherwise cause the Obligations (or any other obligations of such Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) to be avoidable or unenforceable against such Borrower under any state fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance act or statute applied in any such case or proceeding by virtue of Section 544 of the Bankruptcy Code;
 
(iii)     in a case or proceeding commenced by or against such Borrower under any law, statute or regulation other than the Bankruptcy Code (including, without limitation, any other bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or similar Debtor Relief Laws, including, but not limited to, a Bail-In Action), the maximum amount that would not otherwise cause the Obligations (or any other obligations of such Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) to be avoidable or unenforceable against such Borrower under such law, statute or regulation including, without limitation, any state fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance act or statute applied in any such case or proceeding.
 
(d)     The Borrowers acknowledge and agree that they have requested that the Lenders make credit available to the Borrowers with each Borrower expecting to derive benefit, directly and indirectly, from the loans and other credit extended by the Lenders to the Borrowers.
 
SECTION 9.15.      Consents to Renewals; Modifications and Other Actions and Events. This Agreement and all of the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder shall remain in full force and effect without regard to and shall not be released, affected or impaired by: (a) any amendment, assignment, transfer, modification of or addition or supplement to the Obligations, this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (b) any extension, indulgence, increase in the Obligations or other action or inaction in respect of any of the Loan Documents or otherwise with respect to the Obligations, or any acceptance of security for, or guaranties of, any of the Obligations or Loan Documents, or any surrender, release, exchange, impairment or alteration of any such security or guaranties including without limitation the failing to perfect a security interest in any such security or abstaining from taking advantage or of realizing upon any guaranties or upon any security interest in any such security; (c) any default by any Borrower under, or any lack of due execution, invalidity or unenforceability of, or any irregularity or other defect in, any of the Loan Documents; (d) any waiver by the Lenders or any other Person of any required performance or otherwise of any condition precedent or waiver of any requirement imposed by any of the Loan Documents, any guaranties or otherwise with respect to the Obligations; (e) any exercise or non-exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; (f) any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of the assets of any Borrower or any consolidation or merger of any Borrower with or into any other Person, corporation, or entity, or any transfer or other disposition by any Borrower or any other holder of any Equity Interest of any Borrower; (g) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceedings involving or affecting any Borrower; (h) the release or discharge of any Borrower from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition under any of the Obligations or contained in any of the Loan Documents by operation of law; or (i) any other cause whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing which, in the absence of this provision, would release, affect or impair the obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of any Borrower hereunder, including without limitation any act or omission by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender or any other any Person which increases the scope of such Borrower’s risk; and in each case described in this paragraph whether or not any Borrower shall have notice or knowledge of any of the foregoing, each of which is specifically waived by each Borrower. Each Borrower warrants to the Lenders that it has adequate means to obtain from each other Borrower on a continuing basis information concerning the financial condition and other matters with respect to the Borrowers and that it is not relying on the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to provide such information either now or in the future.
 
SECTION 9.16.      Waivers, Etc. Each Borrower unconditionally waives: (a) notice of any of the matters referred to in Section 9.15 above; (b) all notices which may be required by statute, rule or law or otherwise to preserve any rights of the Administrative Agent, or any Lender, including, without limitation, presentment to and demand of payment or performance from the other Borrowers and protect for non-payment or dishonor; (c) any right to the exercise by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender of any right, remedy, power or privilege in connection with any of the Loan Documents; (d) any requirement that the Administrative Agent, or any Lender, in the event of any default by any Borrower, first make demand upon or seek to enforce remedies against, such Borrower or any other Borrower before demanding payment under or seeking to enforce this Agreement against any other Borrower; (e) any right to notice of the disposition of any security which the Administrative Agent, or any Lender may hold from any Borrower or otherwise; and (f) all errors and omissions in connection with the Administrative Agent, or any Lender’s administration of any of the Obligations, any of the Loan Documents, or any other act or omission of the Administrative Agent, or any Lender which changes the scope of the Borrower’s risk, except as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, or any Lender. The obligations of each Borrower hereunder shall be complete and binding forthwith upon the execution of this Agreement and subject to no condition whatsoever, precedent or otherwise, and notice of acceptance hereof or action in reliance hereon shall not be required.
 
SECTION 9.17.       Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law. The respective obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and the failure of any Lender to make any Loan or perform any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its obligations hereunder. Each Lender hereby represents that it is not relying on or looking to any margin stock for the repayment of the Borrowings provided for herein. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no Issuing Bank nor any Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to any Borrower in violation of any Requirement of Law.
 
SECTION 9.18.      Disclosure. Each Borrower and each Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates from time to time may hold investments in, make other loans to or have other relationships with any of the Borrowers, their respective Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates.
 
SECTION 9.19.      USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”) hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.
 
SECTION 9.20.      Conversion of Currencies. (a) If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing hereunder in one currency into another currency, each party hereto agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction the first currency could be purchased with such other currency on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which final judgment is given.
 
(b)     The obligations of each Borrower in respect of any sum due to any party hereto or any holder of the obligations owing hereunder (the “Applicable Creditor”) shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than the currency in which such sum is stated to be due hereunder (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that, on the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Applicable Creditor in the Agreement Currency, such Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Applicable Creditor against such loss. The obligations of the Borrowers contained in this Section 9.20 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.
 
SECTION 9.21.      Amendment and Restatement.
 
(a)     On the Effective Date the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended, restated and superseded in its entirety hereby. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (a) this Agreement, any promissory notes delivered pursuant hereto and the other Loan Documents executed and delivered in connection herewith do not constitute a novation or termination of the “Obligations” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) under the Existing Credit Agreement as in effect prior to the Effective Date and (b) such “Obligations” are in all respects continuing with only the terms thereof being modified as provided in this Agreement.
 
(b)     All indemnification obligations of the Borrowers arising under the Existing Credit Agreement (including any arising from a breach of the representations thereunder) shall survive this amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement.
 
(c)     The Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Lenders hereunder (which constitute “Required Banks” under the Existing Credit Agreement), hereby waives the requirement pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement that the Borrowers deliver prior notice of their election to terminate or reduce the “Commitments” under the Existing Credit Agreement. The execution of this Agreement by any Lender that is also a “Lender” under the Existing Credit Agreement shall constitute such Person’s consent to the amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement contained herein.
 
(d)     By its execution hereof, each Lender hereby (i) consents to any amendments to be executed in connection herewith to the Loan Documents delivered in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement, all as in form and substance approved by the Administrative Agent, and (ii) authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to enter into such amendments.
 
SECTION 9.22.      Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
 
(a)     the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
 
(b)     the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
 
(i)     a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
 
(ii)     a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
 
(iii)     the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.
 
[signature pages follow]
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.

By:                          
Name:      Frederick J. Sohm
Title:      Chief Financial Officer

SPARTAN MOTORS USA, INC.

By:                          
Name:      Frederick J. Sohm
Title:      Treasurer

SPARTAN MOTORS GLOBAL, INC.

By:                          
Name:      Frederick J. Sohm
Title:      Treasurer

Utilimaster Services, LLC

By:                          
Name:      Frederick J. Sohm
Title:      Treasurer

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent, a Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank

 
By:                               
Name:                               
Title:                               

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually and as a Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank
 
By:                               
Name:                               
Title:                               

 

 

PNC BANK, N.A.
 
By:                               
Name:                               
Title:                               

 
SCHEDULE 1.01
 
Inactive Subsidiaries
 
Former RR, Inc., a South Carolina corporation
 
SCHEDULE 2.01
 
Commitments

Lender	Commitment	Pro Rata Share	
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.	$45,000,000	45%	
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.	$35,000,000	35%	
PNC Bank, N.A.	$20,000,000	20%	
Aggregate Commitments	$100,000,000	100%	

 
SCHEDULE 2.05(b)(ii)
 
The unpaid principal balance of the Floorplan Swingline Loans will accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) the Applicable Rate for Eurodollar Loans, and (ii) the LIBOR Rate applicable to the relevant Interest Period. Each change in the rate at which interest accrues will become effective without notice on the commencement of each Interest Period.
 
For the purposes of this Schedule 2.05(b)(ii), the following terms shall have the following meanings (capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement):
 
“Business Day” means (i) with respect to any borrowing or payment of a Floorplan Swingline Loan or LIBOR Rate selection, a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks generally are open in Vermont and/or New York for the conduct of substantially all of their commercial lending activities and on which dealings in United States dollars are carried on in the London interbank market and (ii) for all other purposes, a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which national banking associations are authorized to be closed.
 
“LIBOR Rate” means with respect to any LIBOR advance for any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the Swingline Lender on the basis of the rate as set by the ICE Benchmark Administration (“ ICE ”) (or the successor thereto if ICE is no longer making such rate available) for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to the applicable Interest Period which appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any applicable successor page) to be the rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of the Interest Period for the offering by the Swingline Lender’s London office, of dollar deposits in an amount comparable to such LIBOR advance with a maturity equal to such Interest Period. If no LIBOR Rate is available to the Swingline Lender, the applicable LIBOR Rate for the relevant Interest Period shall instead be the rate determined by the Swingline Lender to be the rate at which the Swingline Lender offers to place deposits in U.S. dollars with first-class banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, in the approximate amount of the principal amount outstanding on such date and having a maturity equal to such Interest Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the LIBOR Rate be less than 0%.
 
“Interest Period” means each consecutive calendar month commencing with the calendar month in which the initial Floorplan Swingline Loan was requested. Each Interest Period shall commence on the first day of each calendar month and if the initial Floorplan Swingline Loan was requested on a date other than the first day of a calendar month, the first Interest Period shall be determined as of the first day of the calendar month in which the initial Floorplan Swingline Loan was requested.
 
If any applicable domestic or foreign law, treaty, rule or regulation now or later in effect (whether or not it now applies to any Lender) or the interpretation or administration thereof by a governmental authority charged with such interpretation or administration, or compliance by any Lender with any guideline, request or directive of such an authority (whether or not having the force of law), shall make it unlawful or impossible for any Lender to maintain or fund the Floorplan Swingline Loans, then, upon notice to the Borrower by the Swingline Lender, the outstanding principal amount of Floorplan Swingline Loans, together with accrued interest and any other amounts payable to the Lenders under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be repaid (a) immediately upon the Swingline Lender’s demand if such change or compliance with such requests, in the Swingline Lender’s judgment, requires immediate repayment, or (b) at the expiration of the last Interest Period to expire before the effective date of any such change or request.
 
If the Swingline Lender determines that quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of LIBOR Rate are not being provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant maturities for purposes of determining the interest rate as provided in this Schedule 2.05(b)(ii), then the Swingline Lender shall forthwith give notice of such circumstances to the Borrower, whereupon (i) the obligation of the Swingline Lender to make Floorplan Swingline Loans shall be suspended until the Swingline Lender notifies the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to the suspension no longer exists, and (ii) the Borrowers shall repay in full the then outstanding principal amount of the Floorplan Swingline Loans, together with accrued interest, on the last day of the then current Interest Period.

 
SCHEDULE 2.06
 
Existing Letters of Credit

Instrument Ref #	Original Amount CCY	Outstanding Balance - USD	Issue Date	Current Expiry Date	Customer Name	Guarantor Name	Beneficiary Name	
IS0197326U	30,000,000.00	45,000.00	19-Jun-2014	31-Jul-2019	CRIMSON FIRE, INC	SPARTAN MOTORS, INC	BANCO SANTANDER CHILE	
IS0197966U	30,000,000.00	45,000.00	19-Jun-2014	31-Jul-2019	CRIMSON FIRE, INC	SPARTAN MOTORS, INC	BANCO SANTANDER CHILE	
IS0198046U	30,000,000.00	45,000.00	19-Jun-2014	31-Jul-2019	CRIMSON FIRE, INC	SPARTAN MOTORS, INC	BANCO SANTANDER CHILE	
IS0198069U	30,000,000.00	45,000.00	19-Jun-2014	31-Jul-2019	CRIMSON FIRE, INC	SPARTAN MOTORS, INC	BANCO SANTANDER CHILE	
IS0198086U	30,000,000.00	45,000.00	19-Jun-2014	31-Jul-2019	CRIMSON FIRE, INC	SPARTAN MOTORS, INC	BANCO SANTANDER CHILE	
IS0022136U	250,000.00	250,000.00	06-Feb-2013	31-Oct-2016	FEREXPO S.A.	SPARTAN MOTORS, INC	BANCO SANTANDER	
IS0025024U	250,000.00	250,000.00	13-Mar-2013	31-Oct-2016	FEREXPO S.A.	SPARTAN MOTORS, INC	BANCO SANTANDER CHILE SA	
IS0035906U	250,000.00	425,000.00	22-May-2013	15-May-2017	SPARTAN MOTORS, INC	 	THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY	
 	150,750,000.00	1,150,000.00	 	 	 	 	 	
 
SCHEDULE 3.05
 
Existing Subsidiaries of Spartan Motors, Inc.

Entity	Jurisdiction of Formation	Capital Stock/Memberships
Owned by (100%)	
Spartan Motors USA, Inc. f/k/a Crimson Fire, Inc.	South Dakota	Spartan Motors, Inc.	
Spartan Motors Global, Inc.	Michigan	Spartan Motors, Inc.	
Former RR, Inc.	South Carolina	Spartan Motors, Inc.	
Utilimaster Holdings, Inc.	Delaware	Spartan Motors, Inc.	
Utilimaster Services, LLC f/k/a
UTM Acquisition Company, LLC	Indiana	Spartan Motors, USA, Inc.	

Schedule 3.06
 
Disclosed Matters
 
Gimaex Holdings, Inc. v. Spartan Motors USA, Inc. f/k/a Crimson Fire, Inc. and Spartan Gimaex Innovations, LLC, Case No. 1:2015-CV-00515 (U.S. District Court, District of Delaware), filed June 19, 2015.

SCHEDULE 6.01
 
Existing Indebtedness
 
See letters of credit listed on Schedule 2.06.
 
Schedule 6.02
 
Existing Lien Schedule

Secured Party	Debtor	Financing Statement No.	Collateral Description	
De Lage Landen Financial Services	Spartan Motors, Inc.	2015066646-9	Specific Equipment (under master agreement 937)	
De Lage Landen Financial Services	Spartan Motors, Inc.	2015077067-4	Specific Equipment (under master agreement 100-100779765)	
Sarat Ford Sales, Inc.	Spartan Motors USA, Inc.	20160280849256	Specific Motor Vehicles	
Ford Motor Company	Spartan Motors USA, Inc.	20160401572799	Specific Motor Vehicles	

Schedule 6.08
Existing Restrictions
 
None.

EXHIBIT A
 
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
 
This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
 
For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under Applicable Law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.
 
1.     .     Assignor:                                    
 
2.     .     Assignee:                                   
[and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]1
3.     .     Borrowers:                                   
4.     .Administrative Agent:     Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
5.     .Credit Agreement:     The Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2016 among Spartan Motors, Inc., Spartan Motors USA, Inc., Spartan Motors Global, Inc. and Utilimaster Services, LLC, the Lenders parties thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties thereto
6.     .     Assigned Interest:
Facility Assigned	Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans for
all Lenders	Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned	Percentage Assigned of Commitment/Loans 2	
 	$	$	%	
 	$	$	%	
 	$	$	%	

Effective Date: ______________________     , 20___     [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
 
The Assignee agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent a completed Administrative Questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the Assignee’s compliance procedures and Applicable Laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
 
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:
 
ASSIGNOR
 
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
 
By: __________________________
 
Title:
 
ASSIGNEE
 
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
 
By: __________________________
 
Title:

[Consented to and]3 Accepted:
 
[NAME OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT], as
 
Administrative Agent
 
By: __________________________
 
Title: __________________________
 
[Consented to:]4
 
[NAME OF RELEVANT PARTY]
 
By: _________________________
 
Title:

 
 
ANNEX 1

 
 
[____________________]5
 
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
 
1. Representations and Warranties.
 
1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document 6 , (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of any Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by any Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.
 
1.2 Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v) if it is a Foreign Lender 7 , attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it. will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
 
2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.
 
3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Michigan.

EXHIBIT B
 
FORM OF GUARANTY
 
LOAN GUARANTY
 
THIS LOAN GUARANTY (this “Guaranty”) is made as of the ____ day of _____, 20__, by ________________ (the “Guarantor”) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, under the Credit Agreement referred to below.
 
WITNESSETH:
 
WHEREAS, Spartan Motors, Inc., a Michigan corporation, Spartan Motors USA, Inc., a South Dakota corporation, Spartan Motors Global, Inc., a Michigan corporation and Utilimaster Services, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (each, individually, a “Borrower” and, collectively, the “Borrowers”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and certain other Lenders from time to time party thereto have entered into a certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2016 (as same may be amended or modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), providing, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, for extensions of credit to be made by the Lenders to the Borrowers;
 
WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders executing the Credit Agreement that the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guaranty whereby the Guarantor shall guarantee the payment when due, subject to Section 9 hereof, of all Guaranteed Obligations (as defined below); and
 
WHEREAS, in consideration of the financial and other support that the Borrowers have provided, and such financial and other support as the Borrowers may in the future provide, to the Guarantor, and in order to induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into the Credit Agreement, and the Lenders and their Affiliates to enter into one or more agreements relating to Swap Agreement Obligations and Banking Services Obligations with the Borrowers and/or the Guarantor, and because the Guarantor has determined that executing this Guaranty is in its interest and to its financial benefit, the Guarantor is willing to guarantee the obligations of each of the Borrowers under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to guarantee the other Guaranteed Obligations;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
SECTION 1.1.     Terms in Credit Agreement. All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Credit Agreement.
 
SECTION 2.1.     Representations and Warranties. The Guarantor represents and warrants (which representations and warranties shall be deemed to have been renewed upon the date of each Borrowing under the Credit Agreement) that:
 
(a)     It is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly and properly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, validly existing and (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and, except where the failure to do so would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, has all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted.
 
(b)     It has the power and authority and legal right to execute and deliver this Guaranty and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by it of this Guaranty and the performance of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by proper corporate proceedings, and this Guaranty constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except as enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
 
(c)     Neither the execution and delivery by it of this Guaranty, nor the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated, nor compliance with the provisions hereof will violate (i) any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or award binding on it or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) its articles or certificate of incorporation, partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, articles or certificate of organization, by-laws, or operating or other management agreement, as the case may be, or (iii) the provisions of any indenture, instrument or agreement to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party or is subject, or by which it, or its Property, is bound, or conflict with or constitute a default thereunder, or result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien in, of or on the Property of the Guarantor or a subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, instrument or agreement. No order, consent, adjudication, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, or other action in respect of any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, which has not been obtained by it or any of its subsidiaries, is required to be obtained by it or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this Guaranty or the performance by it of its obligations hereunder or the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Guaranty.
 
SECTION 2.2. Covenants. The Guarantor covenants that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment outstanding under the Credit Agreement, any transaction relating to any Swap Agreement Obligations or Banking Services Obligations remains in effect or any of the other Obligations shall remain unpaid, that it will fully comply with those covenants and agreements set forth in the Credit Agreement which are applicable to the Guarantor and, if it is necessary and the Guarantor is able to do so, the Guarantor will enable each Borrower and each Subsidiary of each Borrower (each, a “Debtor” and collectively, the “Debtors”) to fully comply with such covenants and agreements.
 
SECTION 3. The Guaranty. Subject to Section 9 hereof, the Guarantor hereby absolutely and unconditionally guarantees, as primary obligor and not as surety, the full and punctual payment (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or early termination or otherwise, and at all times thereafter) and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, including without limitation any such Guaranteed Obligations incurred or accrued during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable in such proceeding. Upon failure by any Debtor to pay punctually any Guaranteed Obligation, the Guarantor agrees that it shall forthwith on demand pay to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and, if applicable, their Affiliates, the Guaranteed Obligation not so paid at the place and in the manner specified in the Credit Agreement, the relevant Loan Document or the relevant agreement relating to any Swap Agreement Obligations or Banking Services Obligations, as the case may be. This Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. The Guarantor waives any right to require the Lender to sue any Debtor, any other guarantor, or any other person obligated for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or otherwise to enforce its payment against any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.
As used in this Guaranty:
 
“Guaranteed Obligations” means:
 
(i)     All Obligations;
 
(ii)     Any and all obligations of any Debtor, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Agreements permitted under the Credit Agreement (to the extent the provider of such Swap Agreement is a Lender or was a Lender (or an Affiliate of any such Lender) at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into), and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction (collectively, the “Swap Agreement Obligations”); and
 
(iii)     Any and all obligations of any Debtor, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with the following bank services (collectively, the “Bank Services”) provided to any Debtor by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) commercial credit cards, (b) stored value cards and (c) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services) (collectively, the “Banking Services Obligations”).
 
SECTION 4. Guaranty Unconditional. Subject to Section 9 hereof, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by:
 
(i)     any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, waiver or release in respect of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise, or any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations;
 
(ii)     any modification or amendment of or supplement to the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement relating to any Swap Agreement Obligations or Banking Services Obligations;
 
(iii)     any release, nonperfection or invalidity of any direct or indirect security for any Guaranteed Obligations or any obligations of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any action or failure to act by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender with respect to any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;
 
(iv)     any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Debtor or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Debtor, or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any Debtor, or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;
 
(v)     the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which the Guarantor may have at any time against any Debtor, any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions;
 
(vi)     any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any Debtor, or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason related to the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, any agreement relating to any Swap Agreement Obligations or Banking Services Obligations, or any provision of Applicable Law or regulation purporting to prohibit the payment by any Debtor, or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, of the principal of or interest on any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other amount payable by any Debtor under the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement relating to any Swap Agreement Obligations or Banking Services Obligations; or
 
(vii)     any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by any Debtor, any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this paragraph, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of the Guarantor's obligations hereunder.
 
SECTION 5. Discharge Only Upon Payment In Full: Reinstatement In Certain Circumstances. The Guarantor's obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full, the Commitments under the Credit Agreement shall have terminated or expired and all agreements relating to any Swap Agreement Obligations or Banking Services Obligations have terminated or expired. If at any time any payment of the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation or any other amount payable by any Debtor or any other party under the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement relating to any Swap Agreement Obligations or Banking Services Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Debtor or otherwise, the Guarantor's obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time.
 
SECTION 6. Waivers. The Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Debtor, any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other Person.
 
SECTION 7. Subrogation. The Guarantor hereby agrees not to assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim for subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification or otherwise, against any Debtor arising out of or by reason of this Guaranty or the obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, the payment or securing or purchasing of any of the Guaranteed Obligations by the Guarantor unless and until the Guaranteed Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full, any commitment to lend under the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Documents is terminated and all agreements relating to any Swap Agreement Obligations or Banking Services Obligations have terminated or expired.
 
SECTION 8. Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Debtor, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement relating to any Swap Agreement Obligations or Banking Services Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the Guarantor hereunder forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent made at the request of the Required Lenders.
 
SECTION 9. Limitation on Obligations. (a) The provisions of this Guaranty are severable, and in any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state, federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guaranty would otherwise be held or determined to be avoidable, invalid or unenforceable on account of the amount of the Guarantor's liability under this Guaranty, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by the Guarantor, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable as determined in such action or proceeding (such highest amount determined hereunder being the relevant Guarantor's “Maximum Liability”). This Section 9(a) with respect to the Maximum Liability of the Guarantor is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Administrative Agent hereunder to the maximum extent not subject to avoidance under Applicable Law, and neither the Guarantor nor any other person or entity shall have any right or claim under this Section 9(a) with respect to the Maximum Liability, except to the extent necessary so that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall not be rendered voidable under Applicable Law.
 
(b)     The Guarantor agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the Maximum Liability of the Guarantor, and may exceed the aggregate Maximum Liability of all other guarantors, without impairing this Guaranty or affecting the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent hereunder. Nothing in this Section 9(b) shall be construed to increase the Guarantor's obligations hereunder beyond its Maximum Liability.
 
(c)     In the event the Guarantor or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations (a “Paying Guarantor”) shall make any payment or payments under this Guaranty or any other guaranty executed in connection with the Credit Agreement or shall suffer any loss as a result of any realization upon any collateral granted by it to secure its obligations under this Guaranty, each other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations (each a “Non-Paying Guarantor”) shall contribute to such Paying Guarantor an amount equal to such Non-Paying Guarantor's “Pro Rata Share” of such payment or payments made, or losses suffered, by such Paying Guarantor. For the purposes hereof, each Non-Paying Guarantor's “Pro Rata Share” with respect to any such payment or loss by a Paying Guarantor shall be determined as of the date on which such payment or loss was made by reference to the ratio of (i) such Non-Paying Guarantor's Maximum Liability as of such date (without giving effect to any right to receive, or obligation to make, any contribution hereunder) or, if such Non-Paying Guarantor's Maximum Liability has not been determined, the aggregate amount of all monies received by such Non-Paying Guarantor from the Debtors after the date hereof (whether by loan, capital infusion or by other means) to (ii) the aggregate Maximum Liability of all guarantors (including such Paying Guarantor) as of such date (without giving effect to any right to receive, or obligation to make, any contribution hereunder), or to the extent that a Maximum Liability has not been determined for the guarantors, the aggregate amount of all monies received by the guarantors from the Debtors after the date hereof (whether by loan, capital infusion or by other means). Nothing in this Section 9(c) shall affect the Guarantor's several liability for the entire amount of the Guaranteed Obligations (up to the Guarantor's Maximum Liability). The Guarantor covenants and agrees that its right to receive any contribution under this Guaranty from a Non-Paying Guarantor shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all the Guaranteed Obligations. The provisions of this Section 9(c) are for the benefit of both the Administrative Agent and the Guarantor and may be enforced by any one, or more, or all of them in accordance with the terms hereof.
 
SECTION 10. Application of Payments. All payments received by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, on a pro rata basis, unless a court of competent jurisdiction shall otherwise direct.
 
SECTION 11. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be given or made by telecopier or other writing and telecopied, or mailed or delivered to the intended recipient at its address or telecopier number set forth on the signature pages hereof or such other address or telecopy number as such party may hereafter specify for such purpose by notice to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this Guaranty, all such communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when transmitted by telecopier, or personally delivered or, in the case of a mailed notice sent by certified mail return-receipt requested, on the date set forth on the receipt (provided, that any refusal to accept any such notice shall be deemed to be notice thereof as of the time of any such refusal), in each case given or addressed as aforesaid.
 
SECTION 12. No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lenders in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies provided in this Guaranty, the other Loan Documents and any agreements relating to the other Guaranteed Obligations shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
 
SECTION 13. No Duty to Advise. The Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of each Debtor's financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that the Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Guaranty, and agrees that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any duty to advise the Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.
 
SECTION 14. Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty is for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective successors and permitted assigns and in the event of an assignment of any amounts payable under the Credit Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or any agreements relating to the other Guaranteed Obligations, the rights hereunder, to the extent applicable to the indebtedness so assigned, shall be transferred with such indebtedness. This Guaranty shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors and permitted assigns.
 
SECTION 15. Changes in Writing. Neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only in writing signed by the Guarantor and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders.
 
SECTION 16. Costs of Enforcement. The Guarantor agrees to pay all costs and expenses including, without limitation, all court costs and attorney’s fees and expenses paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender in endeavoring to collect all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations from, or in prosecuting any action against, any Debtor, the Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.
 
SECTION 17. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICTS OF LAWS RULES). THE GUARANTOR HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT IN MICHIGAN AND FOR PURPOSES OF ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH ANY OF THEM MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. THE GUARANTOR, AND THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS ACCEPTING THIS GUARANTY, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
 
SECTION 18. Taxes,etc. All payments required to be made by the Guarantor hereunder shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties or other charges of whatsoever nature imposed by any government or any political or taxing authority thereof (but excluding Excluded Taxes), provided, however, that if the Guarantor is required by law to make such deduction or withholding, the Guarantor shall forthwith (i) pay to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable, such additional amount as results in the net amount received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable, equaling the full amount which would have been received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable, had no such deduction or withholding been made, (ii) pay the full amount deducted to the relevant authority in accordance with Applicable Law, and (iii) furnish to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable, certified copies of official receipts evidencing payment of such withholding taxes within 30 days after such payment is made.
 
SECTION 19. Setoff. Without limiting the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under Applicable Law, if all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations is then due, whether pursuant to the occurrence of a Default or otherwise, then the Guarantor authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to apply any sums standing to the credit of the Guarantor with the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or any Lender toward the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
 
SECTION 20. Foreign Currency. The specification of payment in a specific currency at a specific place and time pursuant to the documentation relating to the Guaranteed Obligations is essential. That currency or those currencies are also the currency of account and payment under this Guaranty. If any Guarantor is unable for any reason to effect payment of a specific currency (other than Dollars) as required by the preceding sentence or if any Guarantor defaults in the payment when due of any amount of a specific currency (other than Dollars) under this Guaranty, the Lenders may, at the option of the Administrative Agent, require such payment to be made to the office of the Administrative Agent in London, England (or such other office as the Administrative Agent may direct in a notice to the Guarantors) in the equivalent amount in Dollars at the Exchange Rate. In the event that any payment, whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise, does not result in payment of the amount of currency due under this Guaranty, upon conversion to the currency of account and transfer to the place specified for payment, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders have an independent cause of action against the Guarantors for the deficiency.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed, under seal, by its authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.
 
______________________________	
By: ___________________________	
Its: ___________________________	
Address for notice:	
_________________________	
_________________________	
_________________________	
_________________________	
 
EXHIBIT C
 
FORM OF TAX CERTIFICATES
 
C-1
 
[FORM OF]
 
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
 
Reference is hereby made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Spartan Motors, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Company”), certain Subsidiaries of the Company also Borrowers from time to time party thereto (together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders (together with their respective successors and assigns, the “Lenders”), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).
 
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any applicable Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any applicable Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (v) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
 
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
 
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
 
[NAME OF LENDER]
 
By:______________________________________
     Name:
     Title:
 
Date: ________ __, 20[ ]
 
C-2
 
[FORM OF]
 
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
 
Reference is hereby made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Spartan Motors, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Company”), certain Subsidiaries of the Company also Borrowers from time to time party thereto (together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders (together with their respective successors and assigns, the “Lenders”), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).
 
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement, neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any applicable Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to any applicable Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
 
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
 
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
 
[NAME OF LENDER]
 
By:______________________________________
     Name:
     Title:
 
Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 
C-3
 
[FORM OF]
 
U.S. TAX CERTIFICATE
 
(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
 
Reference is hereby made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Spartan Motors, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Company”), certain Subsidiaries of the Company also Borrowers from time to time party thereto (together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders (together with their respective successors and assigns, the “Lenders”), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).
 
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any applicable Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any applicable Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
 
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
 
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

[NAME OF LENDER]
 
By:______________________________________
     Name:
     Title:
 
Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 
C-4
[FORM OF]
 
U.S. TAX CERTIFICATE

(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
 
Reference is hereby made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Spartan Motors, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Company”), certain Subsidiaries of the Company also Borrowers from time to time party thereto (together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders (together with their respective successors and assigns, the “Lenders”), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).
 
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrowers as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
 
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
 
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
 
[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
 
By:______________________________________
     Name:
     Title:
 
Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 

DMS 4387477v8

1 Select as applicable.
2 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.
3 To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
4 To be added only if the consent of the Borrowers and/or other parties (e.g. Swingline Lender, Issuing Bank) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
5 Describe Credit Agreement at option of Administrative Agent.
6 The term “Loan Document” should be conformed to that used in the Credit Agreement.
7 The concept of “Foreign Lender” should be conformed to the section in the Credit Agreement governing withholding taxes and gross-up.

Exhibit 10.20

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 21
 
SUBSIDIARIES OF SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.

Name of Subsidiary	 	Jurisdiction of Incorporation	
 	 	 	
Spartan Motors USA, Inc.*	 	South Dakota, United States	
 	 	 	
-   Utilimaster Services LLC (100% owned by Spartan Motors USA, Inc.)	 	Delaware, United States	
    -   Smeal Holding, LLC	 	Michigan, United States	
    -   Smeal SFA, LLC	 	Michigan, United States	
    -   Smeal LTC, LLC	 	Michigan, United States	
    -   Smeal UST, LLC	 	Michigan, United States	
 
*Formerly also did business under the names Crimson Fire, Inc., Crimson Fire Aerials, Inc., Spartan Motors Chassis Inc., Utilimaster Corporation, Luverne Fire Apparatus Co., Ltd. and Quality Manufacturing Inc.

EXHIBIT 23
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Spartan Motors, Inc.
Charlotte, Michigan
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-98083, 333-145674, 333-177088, 333-183871 and 333-213581) of Spartan Motors, Inc. of our reports dated March 3, 2017, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedule, and the effectiveness of Spartan Motors, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, which appear in this Form 10-K.
 
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Grand Rapids, Michigan
March 3, 2017

EXHIBIT 24
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Spartan Motors, Inc., does hereby appoint Daryl M. Adams, Frederick J. Sohm, and Thomas T. Kivell, and each of them, his attorney, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such individual and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Spartan Motors, Inc. for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, together with any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 	Signature:	/s/ Hugh W. Sloan	
 	 	 	
 	Print Name:	Hugh W. Sloan	
 	 	 	
 	Title:	Director	
 	 	 	
 	Date:	January 26, 2017	

 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Spartan Motors, Inc., does hereby appoint Daryl M. Adams, Frederick J. Sohm, and Thomas T. Kivell, and each of them, his attorney, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such individual and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Spartan Motors, Inc. for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, together with any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 	Signature:	/s/ Ronald E. Harbour	
 	 	 	
 	Print Name:	Ronald E. Harbour	
 	 	 	
 	Title:	Director	
 	 	 	
 	Date:	February 20, 2017	

POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Spartan Motors, Inc., does hereby appoint Daryl M. Adams, Frederick J. Sohm, and Thomas T. Kivell, and each of them, his attorney, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such individual and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Spartan Motors, Inc. for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, together with any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 	Signature:	/s/ Richard R. Current	
 	 	 	
 	Print Name:	Richard R. Current	
 	 	 	
 	Title:	Director	
 	 	 	
 	Date:	January 26, 2017	

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Spartan Motors, Inc., does hereby appoint Daryl M. Adams, Frederick J. Sohm, and Thomas T. Kivell, and each of them, his attorney, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such individual and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Spartan Motors, Inc. for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, together with any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 	Signature:	/s/ James C. Orchard	
 	 	 	
 	Print Name:	James C. Orchard	
 	 	 	
 	Title:	Director	
 	 	 	
 	Date:	January 25, 2017	

 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Spartan Motors, Inc., does hereby appoint Daryl M. Adams, Frederick J. Sohm, and Thomas T. Kivell, and each of them, his attorney, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such individual and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Spartan Motors, Inc. for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, together with any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 	Signature:	/s/ James A. Sharman	
 	 	 	
 	Print Name:	James A. Sharman	
 	 	 	
 	Title:	Director	
 	 	 	
 	Date:	January 31, 2017	

 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Spartan Motors, Inc., does hereby appoint Daryl M. Adams, Frederick J. Sohm, and Thomas T. Kivell, and each of them, his attorney, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such individual and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K of Spartan Motors, Inc. for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, together with any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 	Signature:	/s/ Daryl M. Adams	
 	 	 	
 	Print Name:	Daryl M. Adams	
 	 	 	
 	Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer	
 	 	 	
 	Date:	February 9, 2017	

EXHIBIT 31.1
 
CEO CERTIFICATION
 
I, Daryl M. Adams, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Spartan Motors, Inc.;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date: March 3, 2017	/s/ Daryl M. Adams	
 	Daryl M. Adams
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spartan Motors, Inc.	

EXHIBIT 31.2
 
CFO CERTIFICATION
 
I, Frederick J. Sohm, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Spartan Motors, Inc.;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date: March 3, 2017	/s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	Frederick J. Sohm
Chief Financial Officer
Spartan Motors, Inc.	

EXHIBIT 32
 
CERTIFICATION
 
Solely for the purpose of complying with 18 U.S.C. § 1350, each of the undersigned hereby certifies in his capacity as an officer of Spartan Motors, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 that:
 
 	1.	The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and	
 	 	 	
 	2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for such period.	

 
Date: March 3, 2017	/s/ Daryl M. Adams	
 	Daryl M. Adams
President and Chief Executive Officer	

 	 	
Date: March 3, 2017	/s/ Frederick J. Sohm	
 	Frederick J. Sohm
Chief Financial Officer	

 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.