INDIANAPOLIS, April 9, 2014 – Spartan ERV (Emergency Response Vehicles), a business unit of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR), stated that it has received an additional 14 unit order from Cuerpo General de Bomberos Voluntarios del Peru (the General Body of the Peruvian Volunteer Fire Department) in Lima, Peru, as an addenda to a 56 unit order secured in October, 2013. The 70 units is the largest fire apparatus order in Spartan Motors’ corporate history, and further validates the viability of the company’s Strategic Plan. Production for the 70 units has commenced, with a planned completion date of later this calendar year.
“Spartan ERV is recognized for building some of the safest, most durable fire apparatus in the market as evidenced by Peru’s order,” said Bill Doebler, Vice President of Sales, Spartan ERV. “This multi-unit contract represents a significant step of a defined strategy to expand Spartan ERV’s global presence as it is a significant indication of Spartan’s growing global footprint. We value their confidence in our apparatus to protect the people in this region of Latin America."
The entire 70 unit order will consist of Spartan ERV pumpers built on Spartan Metro Star cab/chassis equipped with Euro III emission standard engines and feature the Spartan Chassis Advanced Protection System (APS). Each unit will also be equipped with Darley 1,250 gallons-per-minute pumps.
The Peruvian Volunteer Fire Department consists of 204 volunteer stations that serve the entire country of Peru. The first fire station in Peru was founded in 1860, and the Department continues to grow.
Spartan ERV began pursuing the Peruvian business approximately two years ago when it first established distribution and aftermarket support in Peru. During that time, Spartan invested significant resources to learn about the unique needs of the firefighters and fire departments in Peru.
“Spartan ERV continues to expand the depth and scope of its product portfolio. Our superior product performance and value equation have assisted in driving our international business,” said Diego Salazar, Spartan ERV Director of Latin America Sales. “Our dealers provide an additional degree of differentiation. We are proud to be the solution provider to a department which has a tradition of well over 150 years of service, and look forward to providing them with products built to the highest quality standards in the industry.”
This contract award validates the global business development strategy announced by Spartan ERV at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in April 2012. After forming a joint venture with Gimaex late in 2012 to accelerate global growth and speed-to-market, Diego Salazar joined the organization earlier this year to continue Latin American growth. In addition to Peru, Spartan ERV has since expanded into Brazil, Chile and Venezuela.
