RV Forum: Ingrassia Says Tech Training is Vital

RVBusiness and Blue Ox, a leading supplier of towing products based in Pender, Neb., are introducing a new thought-provoking, web feature on RVBUSINESS.com — the “RVForum” – the first installment of which, a commentary from Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) President Phil Ingrassia regarding technician training, debuts today (March 21). To access, click here or click on the “RV Forum” box located on the right side of the RVBUSINESS.com home page. “Every time... Read more

RVIA Hikes Forecasts at 2013 Annual Meeting

  RVIA Chairman Doug Gaeddert addresses annual meeting. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) 2013 Annual Meeting, March 4-7 in Orlando, Fla., provided a fast-paced look at the national trade association’s affairs and at the industry the Reston, Va.-based association represents. And the picture as presented this past week was a positive one in most every respect, as Chairman Doug Gaeddert, a general manager for Elkhart, Ind.-based Forest River Inc., pointed out in his Tuesday... Read more

NTP Draws Record Crowds to San Diego Show

After a year of hard work integrating the operations of Wilsonville, Ore.-based NTP Distribution Inc. and its new parent company, Keystone Automotive Operations Inc., the company’s management feels the mission of fusing the two companies’ cultures and operations together was complete before the lights went on last week (Feb. 12-15) for the NTP Show at the San Diego Convention Center. Spokesmen from both the automotive and RV sides of the aftermarket parts and accessory distributor were... Read more

Evergreen Touting Sun Valley on Show Circuit

Along with its new Bay Hill fifth-wheel series, Middlebury, Ind.-based EverGreen Recreational Vehicles LLC is aggressively promoting its Sun Valley travel trailer on its new website (www.GoEverGreenRV.com) and at this winter’s retail shows. The 27- to 36-foot Sun Valley lineup sports aluminum frames and vacuum-laminated fiberglass sidewalls, much like Evergreen’s other products, and targets a relatively affordable $27,000-$39,000 price point situated between the company’s existing i-Go... Read more

World Conference Attracts 216 Global RV Execs

Speakers for the World RV Conference’s plenary sessions included (L-R) : RVIA President Richard Coon; Thetford Corp. CEO Stephane Cordeille; Deputy Secretary General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) Ye Shengji; Keiki INOMATA, a director with the Japan RV Association (JRVA) and executive managing director of Neat RV Co.; CEO of the Caravan, RV and Accommodation Industry of Australia (CRVA) Stuart Lamont; and Keith Laing, managing director of South Africa's Jurgens... Read more

HYMER Planning to Proceed with U.S. RV Plans

HYMER AG headquarters Europe’s largest RV builder, HYMER AG, is proceeding with plans to enter the U.S. recreational vehicle marketplace, based on the company’s own research and on the “awesome” reception its European-built products received last week in a test-marketing display at the Florida RV Trade Association’s (FRVTA) 2013 Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa. Roel L.W. Nizet, CEO and chairman of HYMER Group’s executive board, confirmed the decision in an interview with RVBUSINESS.com... Read more

Stag-Parkway’s Meeting Attracts 1,500 to Texas

Attendees file into Stag Parkway's dealer meeting Atlanta-based Stag Parkway Inc. kicked off its annual “Driving Success” dealer meeting Tuesday (Jan. 15) at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, with a full slate of instructional “RV University” sessions that are part of Stag’s ongoing Professional Retail Organization (PRO) dealer education program, now in its fourth year. Those technical product training sessions were followed by a reception... Read more

Thor Moving Corporate Headquarters to Elkhart

Bob Martin Thor Industries Inc. today (Jan. 9) announced plans to move its corporate headquarters by spring from its long-time base in Jackson Center, Ohio, to a new location along the St. Joseph River in downtown Elkhart, Ind. “Given our commitment to the RV industry, we want to be more accessible and active in the community where a large majority of RVs are produced and where more than 70% of our operations are located,” said Thor Chairman and CEO Peter B. Orthwein in a press release. “With... Read more

RVB’s 2012 Newsmakers: Thor and Forest River

Pete Liegl While it may not be time yet to celebrate the industry’s total resurgence from the Great Recession, this may well be a good moment to pause and appreciate the steady and accelerating (re)growth of the North American recreational vehicle arena after finishing 2012 with a flourish in terms of wholesale and retail sales. Indeed, we’ve come a long way, baby, since the industry was perched on the leading edge of a global downturn and Elkhart, Indiana’s RV-building zone — with 20-plus-percent... Read more

Final RVB/Blue Ox Survey: Consolidate Shows

Judging by the late year buzz throughout the industry, RVBusiness staff members knew they were posing a loaded question when they asked the industry in the final RVB/Blue Ox survey on Dec. 11 this simple question: “Would you still prefer that the key national trade associations work toward an All-Industry Show?” To say that the response was conclusive would be a gross understatement because the concluding survey of 2012 indicated that 90.1% of the respondents were in favor of a consolidated... Read more

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