Spartan Chassis Presents Suspension Innovations at RVIA
November 28 2012 - 8:30AM
Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc.
(Nasdaq:SPAR), today presented a Compressible Fluid Strut (CFS)
that offers a collection of performance benefits and opportunities
for part-count reduction. The single unit combines fluid spring,
shock absorber, damping and actuation functions into a lightweight
and compact design. The CFS is currently undergoing Spartan testing
and is manufactured by Horstman Incorporated of Sterling Heights,
MI.
"The psychographic profile of today's RV owner is far more
diverse than years past. The outdoor activities they enjoy run the
gamut and the amount of equipment carried on the coach continues to
escalate year after year. The additional weight places greater
demands on the RV suspension," said Tom Gorman, Chief Operating
Officer, Spartan Motors. "Concurrently, the customer's ride quality
and vehicle handling expectations are also increasing so we need to
continually explore development of higher performing suspension
systems and early indications are the CFS out-performs current
technologies."
Horstman CFS benefits:
- Reduced response time and greater damping power than a
hydropneumatic system
- Fluid compression requires no hydraulic flow to respond to load
inputs, providing instantaneous response
- Performs well in severe, high-speed and cross-country
applications
- Improved heat rejection eliminates "damper fade"
- Strut is compatible with trailing arm, leading arm, McPherson
and wishbone suspension configurations
- Significantly longer life than traditional shock absorbers
"All of these benefits ultimately lead to significantly reduced
vehicle roll and pitch, and increased vehicle stability and
handling," stated Drew Lippert, Vice President of Sales and
Marketing, Horstman Incorporated. "For nearly 100 years,
Horstman has been dedicated to using technological advances to
significantly improve the safety and comfort of vehicle
operators. To this end, Horstman has partnered with Spartan to
bring this life saving technology to market."
The CFS is also suited to vehicle upgrades for original designs
by replacing the shock absorbers. CFS can operate as a bolt-on
suspension upgrade alongside a traditional spring, or in a
stand-alone configuration. Units can be supplied with a
variety of end fixtures depending on the suspension geometry, as
well as an optional Ride Height Control System to expand vehicle
capability.
Spartan has always led the industry with after the sale
support:
- Customer support: superior after the sale service provided by
over 585 authorized Spartan service providers
- Customer service: the best Roadside Assistance program provided
in partnership with Good Sam and their network of over 40,000
mobile service providers
About Spartan Chassis, Inc.
Spartan Chassis, Inc. is a world-class leader in the
engineering, manufacturing and marketing of chassis and aftermarket
parts for emergency-response, recreational vehicle (RV), defense
and specialty vehicles. End users recognize and request the Spartan
Chassis brand, which consistently delivers superior performance,
exceptional safety ratings and innovations which distinguish us
from the competition. Visit Spartan Chassis at
spartanchassis.com.
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures
specialty chassis, specialty vehicles, truck bodies and aftermarket
parts for the recreational vehicle, emergency response, government
services, defense, and delivery and service markets. The company's
brand names - Spartan™, Spartan ERV™ and Utilimaster® - are known
for quality, performance, service and first-to-market innovation.
The company employs approximately 1,700 associates at facilities in
Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Indiana, Florida and Texas.
Spartan reported sales of $426 million in 2011 and is focused on
becoming a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacture
of specialty vehicles and chassis. Visit Spartan Motors at
www.spartanmotors.com.
About Horstman
Horstman, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures specialty
suspension systems for a wide range of markets. Horstman has
been known for its development of high performance suspension
technologies worldwide since 1913. With facilities, in
Michigan, Louisiana, Toronto, and the United Kingdom, Horstman is
truly a global supplier of mobility solutions. Visit Horstman
at www.horstmaninc.com.
This release contains several forward-looking statements that
are not historical facts, including statements concerning our
business, strategic position, financial strength, future plans,
objectives, and the performance of our products. These statements
can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "intend,"
"potential," "future," "may," "will," "should," and similar
expressions regarding future expectations. These
forward-looking statements involve various known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict
with regard to timing, extent, and likelihood. Therefore,
actual performance and results may materially differ from what may
be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking
statements. Factors that could contribute to these
differences include operational and other complications that may
arise affecting the implementation of our plans and business
objectives; continued pressures caused by economic conditions and
the pace and extent of the economic recovery; challenges that may
arise in connection with the integration of new businesses or
assets we acquire or the disposition of assets; issues unique to
government contracting, such as competitive bidding processes,
qualification requirements, and delays or changes in funding;
disruptions within our dealer network; changes in our relationships
with major customers, suppliers, or other business partners,
including Isuzu; changes in the demand or supply of products within
our markets or raw materials needed to manufacture those products;
and changes in laws and regulations affecting our
business. Other factors that could affect outcomes are
set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings we
make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are
available at www.sec.gov or our website. All forward-looking
statements in this release are qualified by this paragraph.
Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements as a prediction of actual results. We undertake no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements in this release, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
CONTACT: Russell T. Chick
Corporate Director of Marketing
Spartan Motors, Inc.
517.997.3852
Russell.chick@spartanmotors.com
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