Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR) has promoted Arthur Ickes to President of the Specialty Chassis and Vehicles Business Unit, which includes responsibility for the RV Chassis portfolio, Specialty Vehicles, Defense and Government as well as Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies.
Ickes will expand his new responsibilities during the third quarter, while gradually transitioning out of his current role, which includes important near-term projects, such as completing the relocation of the Utilimaster operations to Bristol, Ind. from Wakarusa, Ind.
Ickes will report to John Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors. Eric West, General Manager of the RV business at Spartan Chassis, will report to Ickes.
"We remain very encouraged by the overall market opportunity in the RV industry and the recent growth we have realized over the last two years," Sztykiel said.
"Arthur's leadership skills will provide an excellent opportunity for us to expand the scope of our business with the existing OEM partners in the RV industry."
Ickes joined Spartan Motors as Executive Director of Operations in 2005 and more recently as Senior Vice President of Operations since 2007. With the company, Ickes fulfilled a leadership role which modernized the company's manufacturing practices and has implemented lean processes. During his tenure as the head of all operations at Spartan Motors, the company has achieved continuous improvement of key manufacturing metrics and in many cases has developed world-class performance within the Specialty Vehicle industry.
Ickes also has a successful track record of improving profitability, productivity, quality and customer satisfaction in positions throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Mr. Ickes has earned a master of science in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Kettering University.