RVDA Endorses Suburban Propane

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVDA) has endorsed propane and propane equipment supplied through Suburban Propane, according to the RV Assistance Corp. (RVAC). The agreement was approved by both the RVAC and RVDA boards of directors. RVAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of RVDA that develops member benefits for the association. Suburban Propane Partners is a publicly traded master limited partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SPH. “Suburban Propane... Read more

Fleetwood’s Towables Revenue Up 30%

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. reports its travel-trailer and fifth-wheel sales revenue increased 30% to $158 million during the three-month period that ended Sunday (July 27). Additionally, Fleetwood’s motorhome sales revenue increased 18% to $258 million during the May-through-July period, the first quarter of its fiscal year 2004. However, the company’s folding-camper sales revenue fell 27% to $22 million for the period, which ended July 27. “The improvement in travel-trailer (and fifth-wheel)... Read more

Spartan Cautious About Pusher Market

Diesel-pusher motorhome chassis supplier Spartan Motors Inc. reported sharply lower second-quarter sales and earnings and the company remains “cautious about the short-term recovery in the (diesel) motorhome market,” according to John Sztykiel, president and CEO. Spartan’s second-quarter net earnings declined 76% to $734,000 and its sales slipped 16% lower to $55.1 million. During the first half of this year, Spartan’s earnings declined 47% to $3.3 million and its sales declined 13% to $115.5... Read more

FMCA Boosts N.Y. Dealer’s Sales

Suburban Buffalo, N.Y., dealership Colton RV had its best July ever thanks in part to the Family Motorcoach Association (FMCA) International Convention, which occurred in another Buffalo suburb a few weeks ago. “We generated a lot of business (due to the FMCA rally), some of it out-of-state, some in-state,” said Jeff Schollnick, general sales manager at Colton RV, a single-location dealership in North Tonawanda, N.Y., which does about $30 million in annual sales. “We’ll have our best July... Read more

FMCA Boosts N.Y. Dealer’s Sales

Suburban Buffalo, N.Y., dealership Colton RV had its best July ever thanks in part to the Family Motorcoach Association (FMCA) International Convention, which occurred in another Buffalo suburb a few weeks ago. “We generated a lot of business (due to the FMCA rally), some of it out-of-state, some in-state,” said Jeff Schollnick, general sales manager at Colton RV, a single-location dealership in North Tonawanda, N.Y., which does about $30 million in annual sales. “We’ll have our best July... Read more

RVIA Spokesman Tour Under Way

Brad Herzog of Pacific Grove, Calif., and his wife Amy, took off on their third extended trip on behalf of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) recently – this time with two young children in tow instead of a car. RVIA’s “Around the World … In an RV” tour, featuring the first trip for sons Luke, 21/2, and Jesse, 1, was the subject of a recent feature article in the Sacramento Bee. Herzog, a former newpaper reporter, and his wife participated in the RVIA public relations... Read more

Good Sam Partners with Cottman Tranny

Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service (ERS) has partnered with Cottman Transmission LLC to offer its members discounts at the fast-growing chain of transmission repair centers. Cottman, founded in Philadelphia in 1962, now has around 370 franchise locations in the U.S. and Canada, and it has the goal of reaching 400 this year. “We are excited about this new discount by Cottman Transmission, and we feel that the benefits to members of Good Sam RV ERS will go further in the long run than just discounted... Read more

United Way Recognizes Keystone RV

The United Way of Elkhart County, Ind., recently recognized Goshen, Ind.-based Keystone RV Co. for becoming its No. 1 contributor for 2003. The United Way funds 27 nonprofit agencies in Elkhart County, which has a population of around 160,000. Keystone, a unit of Jackson Center, Ohio-based Thor Industries Inc., had, by a wide margin, more Leadership Circle contributors of any other company in the county. Leadership Circle contributions are people giving at least $1,000. Keystone President Ron Fenech... Read more

FMCA Consignments Could Face Legal Challenge

The arrangement in which out-of-state dealers sell motorhomes in states where Family Motorcoach Association (FMCA) rallies occur might be challenged in court, according to Dave McMann, vice president of sales and marketing at Meyers RV Superstore, a five-location dealership in Syracuse, N.Y., with around $130 million in annual sales. The dealership is considering taking legal action against Monaco Coach Corp., which terminated its dealer agreement with Meyers in January. Monaco terminated the agreement... Read more

Coachmen Returns to Profitability

Coachmen Industries Inc., including its RV operations, returned to profitability in the second quarter, the New York Stock Exchange-listed company reports. The modular structures and RV builder posted net earnings of $2.8 million during the three months ended June 30, offsetting its first-quarter loss. As a result, Coachmen was in the black $16,000 after the first six months of this year. In comparison, Coachmen earned $3.6 million during the second quarter and $3 million during the first half of... Read more

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