Spartan Chassis Inc, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors Inc, announced the purchase of two additional manufacturing facilities near its headquarters in Charlotte MI.
The facilities, which total 200,000 square feet, will help Spartan meet anticipated increased demand from its military customers to supply and integrate key chassis components for Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The added capacity will also free production space at Spartan's other facilities for increased fire truck and motorhome chassis production.
Spartan plans to spend $4.5 million to purchase and renovate the buildings. One of the facilities is already operational. The second building is expected to be ready by the end of 2007.
The company has been awarded several subcontract orders for chassis integration of MRAP vehicles. Spartan's orders have totaled more than $130 million spanning three major OEM suppliers over the past three months.
MRAP vehicles are designed to protect their occupants from a combination of mines, rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, and improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, through their V-shape hull, raised chassis, and improved armor. According to United States government reports, roadside bombs and IEDs account for 70 percent of US deaths and injuries in Iraq.