Supreme Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of specialized commercial vehicles, including truck bodies, shuttle buses, armored vehicles, and luxury motorcoaches, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Supreme Corporation of Texas, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. State Department to manufacture armored vehicles.
The initial order is for $500,000, with a total contract potential of up to $100 million over a five-year period conditioned on receipt by Supreme Texas of future purchase orders (which are not guaranteed).
If fully implemented, the contract could result in sales of up to 800 armored secure vehicles. The vehicles’ OEM appearance and heavy armor allow for discreet and secure transportation to and from U.S. Embassies and other government offices around the world. Deliveries, scheduled to commence in March 2008, could extend through 2013.
President and Chief Operating Officer Robert W. Wilson commented: “Supreme Texas began building armored vehicles specifically for the cash-in-transit industry in 1997 and has since become one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of armored vehicles. The addition of specialty, highly armored units was a natural extension of this product line. Moreover, this market segment aligns well with Supreme’s long-term strategy of providing customers with vehicles containing more value-added components.”
The vehicles will be manufactured at Supreme Texas’ Cleburne, Texas, facility, which specializes in building armored vehicles, including the Vanguard Executive/Diplomat Armored Suburban and other tactical and Homeland Security products. Wilson added: “This contract allows us to expand the usage of our proprietary expertise and infrastructure that is currently being deployed in other applications.”
Supreme is one of a select few, federally approved, armored vehicle suppliers that can sell directly to the U.S. government. Supreme Texas was awarded this contract after a rigorous bid process and after receiving all required Department of State security clearances.