Utilimaster Selected to Operate Ram Commercial Upfit Center and Mopar Custom Shop
March 03 2015 - 9:37AM
Long regarded for cost effective operations and engineering
expertise, commercial vehicle manufacturer Utilimaster, a
subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), was selected to
establish and operate a Ram Commercial Upfit Center and Mopar
Custom Shop in Saltillo, Mexico. The arrangement includes long-term
agreements with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA ), the Ram
Truck Mopar brands, and a number of vocational package suppliers
who need at-plant installation services.
The Utilimaster investment in the Ram Commercial Upfit Center
and Mopar Custom Shop builds on the core offering of customized
commercial vehicles. Utilimaster has OEM upfit center operations in
multiple locations and in 2014 started operations in Saltillo. The
mission of Utilimaster is to expand offerings to provide for its
clients, fully integrated solutions.
"The Ram Commercial Upfit Center and Mopar Custom Shop provides
fleet managers with a cost-effective method to reduce freight costs
while also providing customized vocational packages for their fleet
operations," said John Marshall, Senior Vice President of Sales and
Marketing for Utilimaster. "Our engineering services, close
relationships with fleet clients, and reputation for cost-effective
operations made Utilimaster the right choice for this
opportunity."
In addition to reaching agreement to operate the upfit center,
Utilimaster established OEM partner agreements with Knapheide
Manufacturing, Leggett & Platt/MasteRack, Adrian Steel,
AutoTruck, Farmbro and Midway. FCA and Utilimaster clients and Ram
Truck dealers can contact these OEM partners directly to order
vocational packages and then receive a fully configured Ram
ProMaster van at their local dealership without additional time or
travel costs, which wold be incurred when local dealers have to
send the vehicle offsite to be upfit.
For quick delivery, common vocational packages are stocked in
the Saltillo upfit center. Ram Truck dealers can order FedEx Ground
and Home Delivery vocational packages from Utilimaster and receive
a route-ready van. To make the sales process efficient, Utilimaster
created a Ram ProMaster upfit hotline – (574) 848-2111, staffed by
vocational experts and supported by an experienced engineering
team.
The upfit center operates in partnership with FCA US out of a
125,000-square-foot facility Saltillo, Mexico facility. Utilimaster
currently employs in-country, a management team and 30-40 assembly
associates. Installations are completed within a 3-5 day delivery
time frame and then placed into the FCA US delivery network.
"Utilimaster is pleased to be selected by the Ram Truck and
Mopar team to execute their upfit strategy for the Ram Truck
commercial product line," stated Dave Stace, Upfit Operations
Manager for Utilimaster upfit centers. "Our experience with
commercial fleets and reputation for supporting large OEM
operations is a competency we will continue to expand."
The Saltillo upfit center aligns with Spartan's D.R.I.V.E.
initiative, as it positions the company for diversified growth.
Additionally, it reaffirms the strength of the Utilimaster team in
supporting the commercial van & walk-in industry.
D.R.I.V.E. is Spartan's operating strategy based on five
tenets:
- Diversified Growth
- Redefining Technology and
Innovation
- Integrated Operational
Excellence
- Vibrant Culture
- Excited Consumers/Brand
Loyalists
For more information on Utilimaster, visit www.utilimaster.com
or call (574) 848-2111.
About Utilimaster
Utilimaster, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR),
is a leading manufacturer of walk-in vans, commercial van bodies,
and truck bodies for the delivery and service marketplace.
Utilimaster designs, develops and manufactures products to customer
specifications for use in a wide spectrum of applications including
mobile retail, package delivery, one-way truck rental, bakery/snack
delivery, and utility and linen/uniform rental businesses.
Utilimaster portfolio of products and services include in-field
installation and retrofit of existing equipment, OEM upfit
services, project management & deployment, engineering
services, for a diverse customer base. For more information, visit
the Utilimaster website at www.utilimaster.com.
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures
specialty chassis, specialty vehicles, truck bodies and aftermarket
parts for the recreational vehicle (RV), emergency response,
government services, defense, and delivery and service markets. The
Company's brand names – Spartan™, Spartan Chassis™, Spartan ER™,
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 and Florida. Spartan reported
sales of $507 million in 2014 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.
CONTACT: John Marshall
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Utilimaster Corporation
(574) 848-2004
Greg Salchow
Director, Investor Relations
Spartan Motors, Inc.
(517) 543-6400
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