Northpoint Finance Re-enters RV Marketplace

Northpoint Commercial Finance LLC, a diversified non-auto inventory finance company, announced its re-entry into the recreational vehicle industry. According to a press release, Northpoint “presents manufacturers and dealers with an additional financing option.” The company’s primary goal is to provide credit lines supported by competitive programs, a state of the art on-line management system and an “easy to do business with” approach. Dan Radley, president of Alpharetta, Ga.-based... Read more

Micro-Lite’s Cargo-Lite Trailer Offers Versatility

Cargo-Lite trailer from Micro-Lite The all-aluminum, 12-foot-long Cargo-Lite trailer from Micro-Lite Trailer Manufacturing Inc., Elkhart, Ind., can be used to haul toys or for sleeping off the ground. ”It’s extremely versatile,” said Jim Mulder, product rep and owner of Gunlake Paddle Sports, Wayland, Mich., one of a half-dozen dealers selling Micro-Lite products in the U.S. and Canada. Most sales, however, are factory-direct, Mulder said. Other of Micro-Lite’s all-aluminum products include... Read more

Drew Industries 1Q Sales Set All-Time Record

White Plains, N.Y.-based Drew Industries Inc., parent to recreational vehicle and manufactured housing suppliers Lippert Components Inc. and Kinro Inc., posted first-quarter sales that eclipsed any quarter in the company’s history. According to the company, revenue increased 32% to $224 million in the first quarter, ended March 31, compared with $169 million the year prior. The sales growth, boosted by recent acquisitions, was primarily the result of a 34% sales increase by Drew’s RV... Read more

Forest River FROG Club Sets International Rally

RV manufacturer Forest River Inc. has enrolled ”in excess of 8,000 families” in its new Forest River Owners Group (FROG), which has monthly rallies and trips planned through the end of the year. “Anybody who owns Forest River or related products — new or used — is eligible to join,” said FROG Director Bob Byrne, an RVer for 12 years and a retired banker, insurance industry executive and high school math teacher hired late last year with his wife, Cindy, to... Read more

Priority RV Network Gathers Dealers in Vegas

Tom Walworth (center) presents a trophy to the Priority RV Network board, including (L-R): Mike Regan, Brian Wilkins, Greg Lala, Michael Peay, Mark Bretz, Steve Plemmons and Corey Ruzicka. Earl Stoltzfus is not pictured The Priority RV Dealer Network, formerly known as REDEX, recently was named the No. 1 RV Dealer Cooperative Group for retailing the most new RVs in 2011 by Statistical Surveys Inc. According to a press release, the awards ceremony was held April 24 in the special events center at... Read more

Spartan Motors Posts 25% Growth in 1Q Sales

Charlotte, Mich.-based Spartan Motors Inc. today (May 1) reported a 25% increase in revenue for its first quarter while the company incurred a net loss, primarily due to restructuring costs from its Utilimaster Corp. subsidiary. Revenue during the period totaled $118.8 million, an increase of 25% from $95.1 million in the first quarter of 2011. Revenue growth was led by the delivery and service vehicles segment, which posted sales of $58.8 million, up 149.2% from $23.6 million the previous... Read more

Ind. Governor Touts Industry Comeback at Hall

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels addresses industry leaders at the RV/MH Hall of Fame with Doug Whyte, president-Americas, Dometic Corp., and Jason Lippert, chairman and CEO of Lippert Components, looking on. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels helped kick off a weekend dealer show at the RV/MH Hall of Fame on a high note Friday (April 27), proclaiming the industry was helping lead Indiana in its economic recovery. As reported by the Goshen News, Daniels met with executives of the recreational vehicle industry... Read more

Registration Available for ’12 RV Dealers Expo

Registration is now open for the 2012 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Oct. 1-5, sponsored by the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), RVDA of Canada and the RV Learning Center. Themed “The Road to Opportunity,” the convention will feature educational super sessions designed to help dealers navigate the issues and opportunities they face today, strategies to reach new customers through new technology and harness the... Read more

RVIA Unveils Schedule for ’12 Committee Week

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) has released the schedule for Committee Week 2012, set for June 10-14 at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. According to a press release, the association’s standing committees, executive committee and board will meet to develop strategies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year. The Go RVing Coalition will meet in conjunction with Committee Week on June 11. RVIA’s Advocacy Day will once again be a centerpiece... Read more

RVIA: Shipments Gain 2.2% in March, 9.7% YTD

Wholesale shipments to retailers of all RVs were reported at 28,100 units in the March 2012 survey of manufacturers conducted by RVIA. This was the best March total since 2008 and 2.2% ahead of this same month last year. Improvements were largely the result of gains in fifth-wheels with small losses to truck campers and Class A motorhomes. Through the first three months this year, total RV shipments increased to 71,400 units, a gain of 9.7% over the same period last year. On a seasonally adjusted... Read more

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