Spartan Chassis Receives Ambulance Chassis Order

Oct. 13, 2009
Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), today announced several new orders from OEM Braun Industries for its FurionRT ambulance cab and chassis

Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), today announced several new orders from OEM Braun Industries for its FurionRT ambulance cab and chassis.

Braun is providing 16 FurionRT ambulances to the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue department and 11 FurionRT units to DeKalb County Fire & Rescue in Georgia. The FurionRT (Rescue Transport) is the ambulance industry's first-ever custom chassis. The FurionRT is a purpose-built cab-and-chassis specifically designed for the emergency-rescue industry, unlike a commercial chassis which is just as likely to be used on a delivery or moving truck as on an ambulance.

"We're excited to partner with Braun to bring the next generation of ambulance and rescue vehicle innovation to Miami-Dade and DeKalb County," said Tom Gorman, chief operating officer of Spartan Motors. "Together, we are offering fire departments improved visibility, cab space, modernized styling and increased weight carrying capacity for their ambulance and rescue vehicle fleets, customized to meet each department's needs. “

The FurionRT cab-and-chassis is designed for maximum maneuverability and reliable performance with unrivaled power and payload for the Type I-Additional Duty ambulance market. The corrosion protected 94" steel tilt cab features four doors and superior, unobstructed visibility.

The FurionRT's signature spacious cab interiors securely transport crew and equipment to the scene and during patient transport. In addition, the custom ladder frame and rear air suspension, with dump feature, provide a stable, comfortable ride for patient and crew. The cab over engine design allows for greater visibility and maneuverability and offers room for six crew members and equipment.

"As society changes, vehicles and services become more customized for a singular purpose, and that's where Spartan comes in. Our strategy is to transform a large commercial market by breaking it into smaller market niches, where there is more room to add value to a vehicle and benefit the end-user," said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. "Thirty years ago, we applied this strategy to the fire truck market with the first enclosed cab and other innovations at a time when 95 percent of the fire truck market rode on a commercial chassis. Today, more than 55 percent of the fire truck market is on a custom chassis, and Spartan has played a significant role in this evolution.”