Park Model Maker to Quadruple Capacity

Stewart Lodges plans to quadruple its manufacturing capacity by the summer of 2001 in order to accommodate the rising demand for its park model cabins and a newly introduced line of portable bathhouses. Stewart Lodges currently operates a 13,000-square-foot factory in Ochlocknee, Ga., about 35 miles north of Tallahassee, Fla. A new 50,000-square foot factory will be built on another site, also in Ochlocknee, said Chip Eddy, salesman for the firm. The company needs additional manufacturing capacity... Read more

Park Model Maker to Quadruple Capacity

Stewart Lodges plans to quadruple its manufacturing capacity by the summer of 2001 in order to accommodate the rising demand for its park model cabins and a newly introduced line of portable bathhouses. Stewart Lodges currently operates a 13,000-square-foot factory in Ochlocknee, Ga., about 35 miles north of Tallahassee, Fla. A new 50,000-square foot factory will be built on another site, also in Ochlocknee, said Chip Eddy, salesman for the firm. The company needs additional manufacturing capacity... Read more

Winnebago Unveils 2001 Journey DL

The model year 2001 version of the Journey DL mid-priced diesel pusher was among the highlights at recent Winnebago’s national dealer meeting. The new Journey DL is has a 330-hp Caterpillar engine with a 6-speed Allison transmission on a 26,350-pound gvwr Spartan chassis. Meanwhile, the main 2001 Journey series was similarly upgraded from a 4-speed to the 3000MH 5-speed transmission, and has a 275-hp Cummins engine on a 24,350-pound gvwr Freightliner rail. Flat-floor slide-outs are also available... Read more

Winnebago Unveils 2001 Journey DL

The model year 2001 version of the Journey DL mid-priced diesel pusher was among the highlights at recent Winnebago’s national dealer meeting. The new Journey DL is has a 330-hp Caterpillar engine with a 6-speed Allison transmission on a 26,350-pound gvwr Spartan chassis. Meanwhile, the main 2001 Journey series was similarly upgraded from a 4-speed to the 3000MH 5-speed transmission, and has a 275-hp Cummins engine on a 24,350-pound gvwr Freightliner rail. Flat-floor slide-outs are also available... Read more

Stock Market Soars, RV Stocks Mixed

Both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq composite posted sharp increases Thursday, but RV company stocks were mixed. The Dow climbed 112 points, or 1.0%, and the Nasdaq gained 103 points, or 2.5%. Here is a round up of RV company stock activity on Thursday: Fleetwood gained 1/8 to close at 13 11/16 Winnebago was unchanged at 12 13/16 Thor gained 1/16 to close at 23 5/16 Coachmen gained 3/16 to close at 11 1/8 Monaco declined 3/16 to close at 17 1/2 National RV gained 3/8 to close at... Read more

FMCA Convention Draws 7,400 Motorhomes

Mild weather, receptive hosts and a picturesque New England setting helped draw 7,422 motorhomes to the Family Motor Coach Association’s (FMCA) 37th Annual Summer Grand International Convention in Brunswick, Maine. The FMCA’s “Back to Maine” convention took place Aug. 18-20, and, by all accounts, attracted the largest number of RVs to one location in the history of the industry. The previous FMCA record, arguably the largest motorhome confab in history prior to Brunswick, was set... Read more

Heavier Ford Chassis Might Be Delayed

Ford Motor Co. announced today (Aug. 30) that shipments of the 22,000-pound gross vehicle weight (gvw) rated version of its F53 gas engine motorhome chassis might be slightly delayed. “We are running on a very tight development schedule and hope to maintain our previously stated timing with only a slight delay,” reports John Goshorn, planning and distribution and account manager for Ford’s North American RV and commercial vehicles division. Ford initially stated the 22,000-pound gvw... Read more

Most RV Stocks Close Lower or Unchanged

Many RV company stocks declined Wednesday, including industry leader Fleetwood, which reported a $31 million loss before the market opened. Fleetwood, which reported the loss for the three months ended July 30, saw its stock decline 3/8 to close at 13 9/16. Meanwhile, Holiday RV Superstores saw its stock head in the oppose direction one day after announcing it had doubled its inventory borrowing capacity. Holiday RV gained 3/16 to close at 4 7/16. On the broader market, the Dow Jones Industrial Average... Read more

Fleetwood’s Challenges to Continue

Fleetwood’s financial performance during the quarter that will end around Oct. 31 will not compare favorably with the results the company reported for the August-through-October portion of 1999, according to Nelson Potter, president. Potter issued his forecast today (Aug. 30) at the same time that Fleetwood reported it lost $31.1 million during the three months ended July 30. During the three months ended Oct. 31, 1999, Fleetwood earned $29.8 million on sales of $1.01 billion. “The second... Read more

Fleetwood Reports $31 Million Loss

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. reported a $31.1 million loss for the three months ended July 30. The loss during the first quarter of Fleetwood’s fiscal year 2001 compared with a profit of $26.4 million earned a year earlier. The loss occurred because of “significantly reduced sales” of motorhomes and manufactured housing, said Nelson Potter, president. One-time-only expenses related to factory closings and restructuring costs, including employment severance benefits, also contributed to... Read more

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