Indianapolis – Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services (“Spartan”), a business unit of Spartan Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) which encompasses the Utilimaster go-to-market brand, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating up to 147 new jobs by 2019.
“Indiana’s rich history in the automotive industry continues to attract new business and support job creation in today’s economy, helping the Hoosier state earn recognition as a top state for business,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Indiana ranks third in the country for automotive manufacturing production because of companies like Spartan Motors that serve commercial vehicle needs nationwide. As a state, we are committed to supporting job creators by cutting costs and taxes, reducing burdensome regulations and investing in our hardworking Hoosier workforce, ensuring that Indiana is a state that works for business.”
The company will invest $10.9 million to increase production of its Utilimaster brand walk-in vans, parcel delivery vans, truck bodies and corresponding custom uplifts and to expand its ergonomics, efficiency, safety and field services for customers. Spartan, which acquired Utilimaster in 2009, is experiencing unprecedented growth as a result of escalating orders from existing customers, increasing global business and delivering customer-specific innovations that increase efficiencies and drive down total cost of ownership for large fleets.
The company, which owns 60 percent of the market share in walk-in vans, employs more than 1,700 associates in the United States including nearly 700 in Indiana. With vehicle production backlog levels at an all-time high, Spartan Motors has already hired more than 40 employees toward its goal of 147 in 2016 alone. The company will continue hiring for administrative, manufacturing and material handling positions. Interested applicants may apply via Spartan’s Indiana-based employment partner, Spherion.
“Our rapid growth is a testament to the value we deliver to our customers, and to the good work we’re doing here every day,” said John Forbes, president of Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services. “Now in our 44th year, we’re thrilled to continue to do business and grow in the state of Indiana. We couldn’t do it without the contributions of our dedicated team members.”
Headquartered in Charlotte, Michigan, Spartan Motors designs, engineers, manufactures and services specialty vehicles and chassis, including fire trucks, motorhomes, defense vehicles, buses, postal delivery vehicles and consumer delivery vehicles. The company operates multiple production facilities across Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Indiana, Kansas, Mexico and Peru.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) offered Spartan Motors up to $550,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.
Indiana is home to the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation, with 3,300 new manufacturing jobs added last month alone. More than 500 automotive companies, including five original equipment manufacturers, operate in Indiana today, supporting more than 100,000 Hoosier jobs. The state assembles more than 1 million cars and trucks each year, producing 11 percent of the nation’s vehicles.
