By Chris Mc Loone

FDIC International 2017 will be the first time many get a chance to see Spartan Motors and Smeal as one company.

I took the opportunity to speak with John Slawson, president of the Spartan Emergency Response (ER) business unit, to talk about the recent acquisition.

FA&EE: Provide a background on how the opportunity to purchase Smeal came about.

Slawson: Spartan Motors has a long history with Smeal as its cab and chassis supplier that dates back 30 years, so further expansion and cementing of that relationship was a natural progression for the two companies. That history and the fact that we had an existing supply agreement made it a natural fit for us in terms of a starting point for the discussion when the family first came to us. Ultimately, this acquisition will help Spartan Motors and Smeal increase our collective competitive position by participating in the industry consolidation and ensuring that Spartan Motors will continue to have the cab and chassis demand to supply not only Smeal but all of our important OEM and dealer channels.

FA&EE: What hurdles did both companies have to clear to make the acquisition work?

Slawson: An acquisition or transaction of this scale always has its challenges, but that’s why the due diligence process is so vital up front. I believe our long history together and the trust we share mitigated many of the traditional hurdles companies might run into. We’ll have learnings as we go forward, but it’s been a very smooth process thus far.

1 This Smeal aerial is built on a Smeal S-600 cab and chassis. (Photos courtesy of Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment.)

FA&EE: Will Smeal continue to provide its custom cabs/chassis, or will it use Spartan cabs/chassis exclusively?

Slawson: We intend to sell our full line of products on both the Smeal and Spartan Motors sides but will look at ways to share product and process innovations to better serve our OEMs.

FA&EE: Smeal aerials were used by at least one other apparatus OEM. Will these types of relationships continue?

Slawson: Spartan’s Emergency Response business unit will remain focused on growing business with all of its partners. We look forward to not just maintaining but strengthening our partnerships with our combined OEM customers and being the reliable, go-to resource for cab and chassis and complete apparatus amidst an increasingly consolidating industry.

FA&EE: Does “Smeal” become a brand within the overall company?

Slawson: Smeal will continue as its own brand, as we intend to sell our full line of products on both the Smeal and Spartan Motors sides. In fact, Smeal will continue to be on equal footing with all of Spartan Motors’ OEM customers. Spartan Motors has been a manufacturer of cabs and chassis, as well as full fire apparatus, prior to acquiring three OEMs over two decades. Both companies have always operated on a level playing field, providing consistent supply and standardized products, features, and pricing. Maintaining competition in the industry benefits us all, and we are focused on providing more value to our dealers