The Shyft Group Expands Florida Manufacturing Footprint To Meet Growing Demand For First Responder Vehicle Upfits

Rhea-AI Summary

The Shyft Group (NASDAQ: SHYF) is expanding its operations by opening a new 35,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Jupiter, Florida, primarily for Strobes-R-Us specialty vehicle fleet upfits and retail sales. This expansion will elevate the company’s Florida manufacturing capacity to over 50,000 square feet. The new facility aims to support the increasing demand for upfit solutions in last-mile delivery and specialty service fleets, creating 40 skilled trades positions. The Shyft Group reported $757 million in sales from continuing operations in 2019.

Positive

• New 35,000-square-foot facility will enhance Strobes-R-Us upfit capabilities.
• Expansion increases Florida's manufacturing footprint to over 50,000 square feet.
• Creation of 40 new skilled trades positions supports local job growth.
• Demand for specialty vehicle upfits is on the rise, indicating potential revenue growth.

Negative

• None.

NOVI, Mich., Sept. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shyft Group (NASDAQ: SHYF) ("Shyft" or the "Company"), North America's leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, today announced plans to open a new 35,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Jupiter, Florida. The facility will primarily be used for Strobes-R-Us specialty vehicle fleet upfit and retail sales, while providing the Company's Utilimaster brand with additional regional manufacturing and assembly capacity. Production at the new Palm Beach County facility is expected to begin this fall.

Once complete, the flexible manufacturing facility will bring The Shyft Group's Florida-based regional manufacturing and distribution footprint to more than 50,000 square feet, immediately expanding the brand's upfit capacity and retail sales capabilities.

"Strobes-R-Us has been a leading supplier of upfit and lighting solutions for federal, state, and local government agencies for decades from its flagship Pompano Beach facility ," said Daryl Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Shyft Group. "Business wins have led to the recent need for expanded capacity in both the Strobes-R-Us and Utilimaster businesses. We are encouraged to see demand continue on an upward trajectory in both the last mile delivery and specialty service fleet arenas. Accordingly, we look forward to welcoming new employees to The Shyft Group family, in short order."

The expansion is expected to immediately create 40 new skilled trades positions.  To apply, applicants are encouraged to join the Strobes-R-Us team onsite at the new facility, located at 15335 Park of Commerce, Building 25, Suite 101, Jupiter, FL, on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to apply and interview. Job seekers who cannot attend the hiring event in person should visit www.strobesrus.com/careers.

The Shyft Group is known for dynamic work and delivery truck, upfit, and recreational vehicle brands, including Utilimaster, Royal Truck Body, Strobes-R-Us, Spartan RV Chassis, and Builtmore Contract Manufacturing. Strobes-R-Us, in particular, is a premier provider of upfit products and services for government and non-government vehicles, including first responder fleets. The company installs and distributes upfit kits and lighting equipment, including light bars, interior accessories, communication radios, MDT computer docks, K-9 officer upfits, and exterior accessories to a diverse range of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, municipal emergency response vehicles, towing companies and construction companies, specialty service fleets, as well as utility and telecom providers.

This past June, the company—formerly known as Spartan Motors, Inc.—rebranded to The Shyft Group to be more reflective of its next phase of business transformation focused on high-growth commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, and to follow the divestiture of its Emergency Response business. The name represents speed, efficiency, agility, and a high-intensity approach, which corresponds with the company's pivot in market focus and the forward momentum garnered in the work truck, specialty service, and delivery vehicle markets. The Company reported sales of $757 million in 2019 from continued operations.

For more information, please visit TheShyftGroup.com.

About The Shyft Group
The Shyft Group is the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets.  Our customers include first-to-last mile delivery companies across vocations, federal, state, and local government entities; the trades; and utility and infrastructure segments. The Shyft Group is organized into two core business units: Shyft Fleet Vehicles & Services and Shyft Specialty Vehicles. Today, its family of brands include Utilimaster, Royal Truck Body, Strobes-R-Us, Spartan RV Chassis, Builtmore Contract manufacturing, and corresponding aftermarket provisions. The Shyft Group and its go-to-market brands are well known in their respective industries for quality, durability, and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 2,700 associates across campuses, and operates facilities in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, Missouri, California, Arizona, Texas, and Saltillo, Mexico. The Company reported sales from continuing operations of $757 million in 2019. Learn more about The Shyft Group at www.TheShyftGroup.com.

CONTACT: 
Media:
Samara Hamilton                           
Corporate Director of Marketing and Communications                
The Shyft Group            
Samara.Hamilton@theshyftgroup.com
(517) 997-3860

Sawyer Lipari
Senior Director
Lambert & Co.
slipari@lambert.com
313.309.9551

Investors:
Juris Pagrabs
Group Treasurer, Director of Investor Relations
The Shyft Group
Juris.Pagrabs@theshyftgroup.com
(517) 997-3862

 

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SOURCE The Shyft Group

FAQ

What is The Shyft Group's new facility in Florida for?

The new facility in Jupiter, Florida, will primarily handle Strobes-R-Us specialty vehicle fleet upfits and retail sales.

How much will The Shyft Group's new facility expand its manufacturing capacity?

The new facility will bring The Shyft Group's Florida manufacturing capacity to over 50,000 square feet.

When is production expected to begin at The Shyft Group's new facility?

Production at the new facility is expected to begin in fall 2020.

How many jobs will The Shyft Group's expansion create?

The expansion is expected to create 40 new skilled trades positions.

What was The Shyft Group's reported sales figure in 2019?

The Shyft Group reported sales of $757 million from continuing operations in 2019.