20
MiMfg Magazine
December 2017
MFG
@ Work
Spartan Motors
Receives $214M
USPS Contract
MMA member company
Spartan Motors Inc. recently
announced that its Spartan
Fleet Vehicles and Services
sector, encompassing the
Utilimaster brand, has been
awarded a $214 million contract
from the U.S. Postal Service
(USPS) to build more than
2,000 cargo body fleet vehicles.
“Utilimaster has been
engineering and building the
very best purpose-built parcel delivery
vehicles for more than 40 years,” said
Daryl Adams, president & CEO of
Spartan Motors. “We’ve worked hard to
make our products stand-out in the
industry and we’re committed to
manufacturing excellence.”
Production will occur in 2018-2019
with an option to continue production
into 2020 and will include a combination
of Cab Over Engine and Cab Behind
Engine Utilimaster truck bodies of
varying configurations.
“Our ability to design, custom
engineer, and build commercial trucks
across classes 1-6, in addition to
providing custom vocation-specific
upfits uniquely positions us to serve
the growing ‘last mile’ delivery fleet that
is in demand by today’s ecommerce
retailers,” said Tom Ninneman, president
of Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services.
Spartan will produce more than
2,000 cargo body fleet vehicles and will
allow the company to add 50-100 jobs.
“This is our single largest contract
award, and that’s why it’s so exciting,”
said Ninneman.
Got News?
Send your company’s good
news to [email protected].
Daryl Adams, president & CEO, discusses the
future of Spartan Motors and manufacturing
during Analyst Day in New York City
Mahindra Opens First
SE Michigan OEM
Operation in 25 Years
Mahindra Automotive North America
(MANA) continues to grow its presence
in Michigan as the India-based manu-
facturer opened a new North American
headquarters in metro Detroit, the first
new OEM facility in Southeast Michigan
in over a quarter-century.
“This is an exciting day for Mahindra,
our terrific employees and Detroit. I
couldn’t be prouder to be here to help
open this new facility today,” said Anand
Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group.
“This building opening represents our
company’s growing presence in North
America and locally in the Metro
Detroit area where
we have tripled our
workforce during the
past 18 months. We are
committed to growing
the Mahindra brand
in North America
and Michigan.”
The expansion
continues an investment
of $230 million and
more than 400,000
square-feet expansion
in the region following
a recently-opened warehouse and logistics
operation in Pontiac and an existing
prototype operation in Troy. The new
facility will produce an off-highway
vehicle, which will extend Mahindra’s
current position in this growing segment.
Designed and engineered by MANA,
the vehicle promises to be unlike
anything currently on the market.
“This expansion represents a milestone
for us and for Michigan,” said Rick
Haas, MANA president & CEO and
keynote speaker of the 2017 MFG
Excellence Awards. “We started this
operation with seven people four years
ago — to be crossing the 250 mark is a
testament to the hard work of our
employees and what this region has to
offer in terms of top automotive talent.”
The facility is expected to generate
105 jobs and $22.3 million in capital
investments.
“The fact that Mahindra has established
new operations centers here for the third
time in four years is a testament to
Michigan’s global leadership in automotive
R&D and advanced manufacturing,”
said Lt. Gov. Brian Calley. “Mahindra’s
success in Michigan communicates to
international decision makers that our
state holds great opportunities for growing
their businesses. We thank Mr. Mahindra
and his leadership team for their newest
commitment to Michigan and to our
strong partnership.”
Lt. Governor Brian Calley joined Mahindra
as the company announced the first new
OEM operation in Michigan in 25 years