Lazydays Stresses Certification for Techs

Twenty-nine Lazydays RV SuperCenter service technicians received certification recently from the RVDA/RVIA Certification Governing Board, giving the Seffner, Fla., dealership a total of 104. The number represents more than 25% of the 401 certified RV techs employed by dealerships in the state of Florida, according to Lazydays. “This is a milestone achievement for our RV dealership,” said Lazydays CEO John Horton. “We are very proud of our technicians who have dedicated the time... Read more

Rémillard Honored by RVDA of Canada

The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada recently named Robert Rémillard of Centre du Camping Rémillard in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, as this year’s recipient of the Walter Paseska Canadian RV Dealer of the Year. According to RVDA of Canada, the award “reflects the respect that an RV dealer has earned through years of enthusiasm and attention to the needs of his or her customers, the community at large, and the RVDA movement.” Established in 1989 by Camping... Read more

Task Force Reports on RV Parts Picture

A Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) task force reports that it takes an average of 10 days for a dealer to receive a repair part from a manufacturer after it is ordered. That compares to an average 6.5 days parts turnaround from suppliers and three days from distributors. A study conducted in June and July by Marzahn & King Consulting Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., was presented to the RVDA board during its September meeting and to the Go RVing Coalition’s Committee on Excellence,... Read more

National RV Reintroduces Surf Side Line

Motorized RV builder National RV Inc., Perris, Calif., has reintroduced the Surf Side Class A brand – dormant since 2001 – as an entry-level gas-powered motorhome. The new Surf Side, featuring four floorplans in lengths of 29 to 34 feet with either one or two slideouts, debuted this week at the 43rd Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky. “The most important thing about this is that it marks National RV’s re-entry into the value-priced Class A segment that has really been... Read more

Newmar Unveils All Star Class A Diesel

With floorplans designed to accommodate large families, Newmar Corp. is introducing an All Star Class A diesel motorhome line for 2007 mounted on the Spartan mid-engine ME2 chassis. “The All Star really sleeps eight, seats eight and dines eight people,” said Jon Sammut, director of sales and marketing for the Nappanee, Ind., fifth-wheel and motorhome manufacturer. The unique, 33,000-pound GVWR ME2 chassis is powered by a 350-hp Cummins engine. Newmar unveiled the All Star, initially available... Read more

Ohio RV Pioneer Sirpilla Dies

Longtime Akron, Ohio, RV dealer John B. Sirpilla, 72, died Thanksgiving Day following a battle with cancer. Sirpilla founded Sirpilla Trailer Sales — now Sirpilla RV Super Center — in 1959 with his brother, Art, as a rental outlet from a service station they owned together. The brothers, who stressed customer service and supported the RV lifestyle by hosting local rallies, soon began selling RVs. The company grew rapidly into a multi-store operation that, at one time, had four locations... Read more

Tiffin Leads Quality Circle Award Winners

Tiffin Motor Homes Inc. took first place in 17 of 24 categories to top the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association’s (RVDA) Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI). The family-owned Red Bay, Ala., company joined six other RV manufacturers in receiving the 2005 RVDA Quality Circle Awards, presented Monday night (Nov. 28) at a special reception hosted by RVDA at the Executive West Hotel on the eve of the 43rd Annual National RV Trade Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky. Aside from... Read more

National RV Rejects Purchase Offer

Motorized manufacturer National RV Holding Inc. (NRVH), Perris, Calif, has rejected a $92 million proposal to sell the company to an investment group that includes Bob Lee, founder of National RV Holdings subsidiary Country Coach Inc. In a letter to CCA Acquisition Group Inc., Los Angeles, NRVH Chairman Doy B. Henley said CCA’s bid to purchase the company for $6.25 a share “severely undervalued” the company, which owns Junction City, Ore.-based Country Coach and National RV Inc.,... Read more

Thor Reports Record 1Q Income, Sales

Thor Industries Inc., Jackson Center, Ohio, posted record first-quarter net income and sales, substantially exceeding Wall Street analysts’ consensus estimates. The recreational vehicle and midsize bus builder reported net income of $43.4 million for the three-month period ended Oct. 31, up 24% from $35.1 million a year ago. It was the highest net income figure for any quarter in Thor’s history. Sales for the quarter were $761.3 million, up 20% from $632.7 million last year. Thor said... Read more

Lee, Investment Group Want to ‘Save’ NRV

National RV Holdings Inc. is losing money daily and is headed for insolvency, according to a group of investors that has offered to buy the Perris, Calif.-based motorhome maker. The Press-Enterprise reported that the group stated in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents the only way to save the company is to drastically downsize operations and take it private. The filings reveal the reasoning behind Los Angeles-based CC Acquisition Group Inc.’s $92 million bid for National RV Holdings,... Read more

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