RV Industry Partners Roll Out Consumer Promo

Four RV industry players have banded together to sponsor and launch a national promotion that allows RV consumers the opportunity to win a 2012 Jayco White Hawk ultralight travel trailer. According to a press release, the sponsors include Jayco Inc., RV Trader, RV America Insurance and the Passport 66 RV Club.

“We are excited to participate in this unique marketing consortium as a creative way to not only introduce consumers to the White Hawk, our newest line of ultralight trailers, but also the complementary products and services offered by our other partners,” said Sid Johnson, director of marketing for Jayco, a Middlebury, Ind.-based manufacturer.

“While each partner plays a variety of roles within the RV marketplace, each one serves the needs of RVers on a nationwide basis” noted Tim Custer, general manager of RV Trader, a leading RV classifieds site. “Because each business is unique, yet influential in the industry, this will allow us to dramatically impact the reach of this promotion among RV consumers.”

In addition to the 2012 Jayco White Hawk Grand Prize, there will be weekly prizes awarded for one-year memberships to the Passport 66 RV Club, a national travel club for RVers provided by the Route 66 RV Network.

“The Passport 66 RV Club is a paid membership discount club that offers its members the opportunity to enjoy discounts on campground rates, parts/accessories, golfing, satellite services, RV washes, rental cars and more,” said Dave Francis, program manager for Passport 66.”

“The ‘Win a White Hawk’ promotion is the first time we have entered into a co-sponsorship effort of this type,” added Steve Freedman, president of RV America Insurance. “We’ve really enjoyed working with this group to not only create a promotion that will appeal to RVers, but also that delivers mutual value to all of the partner sponsors involved.”

To register for the drawing, RV consumers and enthusiasts can visit www.WinAWhiteHawk.com between Jan. 30 and June 15.

 

Jayco Rattling Market with Seismic Toy Hauler

“We recognize the market for sport utility trailers is more competitive today than ever before,” said Sid Johnson, director of marketing for Jayco. “Consumers want more than a garage attached to a sleeping area. Our goal was to provide a fifth-wheel that offers top-level amenities and features yet still provides room enough to carry whatever toys a family might want to bring along. We wanted to make the entire experience even more enjoyable for the owner, from towing to set up to take down.”

The Seismic features a 102-inch wide body on Jayco’s I-Class cambered structural-steel I-beam frame. The unit has a one-piece underbelly cover with fuel tanks exposed, a one-piece, seamless rubber roof, 3/8-inch plywood roof decking and reflective foil insulation in the living area, bedroom and all slideout floors. The Seismic also comes with Jayco’s Polar Barrier insulation package while the garage area features Jayco’s in-floor mounted D-rings.

The exterior offers a contemporary feel with a contoured front cap design. Customers can choose from a standard graphics package or one of three premier paint packages. The Seismic is offered in two mid-profile and four full-profile floorplans.

“Everything about the look of the Seismic is different,” said Johnson. “The unit has a modern feel to it as well as many contemporary conveniences; something which we believe today’s consumer is going to appreciate.”

Interiors feature modern décors enhanced by warm colors on the walls, residential-style furniture and cabinets. Washington Glazed Maple cabinetry sets off the main living areas with aged Paulownia charcoal-stained cabinetry in the garage area – both with brushed or weathered black hardware and raised panel doors, giving the unit a more residential feel with room separations.

Standard interior equipment include radius cornered walls and cabinets, ball bearing drawer guides, recessed halogen and pancake lighting, hidden cabinet hinges, hardwood slideout fascia boards, decorative wood moldings and louvered window treatments.

The deluxe kitchen sports high-end vinyl flooring in the kitchen, toe kick lighting, pendant lighting in the kitchen, and high-gloss solid surface kitchen countertops with under-mount stainless steel sink. The Seismic’s main bedroom has a deluxe 60-inch by 80-inch mattress with 312-coil and 2-inch pad top side, decorative headboard, added air conditioning ducts, 22-inch LCD HDTV and walk-in closet.

Other standard amenities include 12-volt electrical system with deluxe 120-volt, 80-amp power converter, 10-gallon Atwood water heater gas/electric DSI auto-ignition, 15,000-BTU A/C Whisper quiet feature, louvered-directional ceiling vents, auto-ignition furnace with black digital wall thermostat, water heater bypass system and winterization kit, and Uni-Dock utility center.

In addition, the Jayco Co-Pilot Warranty offers the original purchaser a two-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. And all Jayco products have been Green Certified by TRA Certification Inc, an independent third-party certification agency. Jayco products have earned top-level certification through the use of sustainable materials, environmentally-friendly production methods, energy-efficient components and reduction of waste.

 

Jayco Sets Goals in Ambitious Green Initiative

Middlebury, Ind.-based Jayco Inc. announced that it has launched a long-term sustainability initiative designed to ensure minimal negative impact by its products and processes on human health and the environment. As part of the initiative, the company has set a number of ambitious strategic goals to be met over the next five years.

In making the announcement, Wilbur Bontrager, Jayco’s chairman and CEO, said, “At Jayco, sustainability means meeting our current manufacturing and resource needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs. We build products that allow our customers to enjoy the outdoors and the environment. Therefore it makes sense that we should strive to be a good corporate citizen and a good steward of the environment.”

Bontrager said that the first of the goals of the initiative involves elimination of waste. “Our first goal is the most robust of all – that is our pledge to be landfill free by the year 2015,” he said. “This means that in four years, all waste that is currently generated in the manufacturing process or office workspaces will either be eliminated or recycled and no longer sent to the landfill.”

Bontrager indicated that the second goal for the Jayco management team is to significantly reduce fresh water usage in testing and other water-intense processes around the manufacturing complex, and to increase usage of reclaimed rainwater in facilities.

Lastly, the initiative calls for Jayco to reduce overall energy use by 40% from current levels by calendar 2014, and to standardize and streamline paperwork, production processes and construction methods to improve overall efficiency. As part of this effort, Jayco will work closely with new and existing suppliers to assist and educate them on the benefits of sustainable goods and packaging.

“While in some ways these goals are just the beginning, they are also the result of prior efforts and systems already established,” said Bontrager.

Last year Jayco was the first major RV manufacturer to be 100% green certified and fully recognized for building products with green manufacturing processes and materials by TRA Certification Inc., an internationally accredited certification organization.

In addition, the Jayco recycling program has been active since the early 1980’s. Jayco has received several recognition for its recycling efforts including a Governor’s Award of Excellence in 1991. Last year, Jayco’s recycling efforts and other conservation programs helped save more than 28,000 trees; enough energy to power more than 600 family homes for an entire year, and saved more than 14,000 cubic yards of landfill space.

Jayco recently joined a select group of businesses, known as The Sustainability Coalition, with the goal of examining the economic and social benefits of being a sustainable company. The Sustainability Coalition is steered by local businessmen to bring more awareness and education to businesses in Northern Indiana who are looking for useful tools in becoming sustainable organizations.

Bontrager stated that Jayco will be adding to its recycling and sustainability programs over the coming months and will accelerate its efforts to enlist the assistance of Jayco employees, vendors and suppliers to become a more sustainable organization.

 

Jayco Rolls Out White Hawk Ultra-Light Trailers

The 2012 White Hawk is Jayco Inc.’s newest entry in the ultra-light travel trailer market. According to a press release, the White Hawk offers all the features and amenities of a traditional travel trailer, but can be towed by most half-ton pickups and mid-size SUV’s.

“We recognize the lightweight market is more competitive today than ever before,” said Ben Johnson, brand manager for the White Hawk products. “The goal was to provide a unit that could be towed by most family vehicles but offers standard amenities and features not traditionally found on units in this price range. We wanted to make the entire camping experience even more enjoyable for the owner, from towing to set up to take down.”

Jayco said that the 2012 White Hawk has a more spacious living area than other ultra-lightweight units because of a 36-inch deep slideroom, adding twice the amount of expandable space.

Standard features include the Chill ‘N Store outdoor baggage compartment with a 1.5 cubic foot exterior refrigerator; MaxView dinette window for extra light and comfort; Wide-Stance Tracker Axles for more stable towing; extra exterior lights for added safety and convenience; a thermal package with a heated and enclosed underbelly; and a standard premium exterior paint package. Other standard amenities include radial tires; four-inch crowned, fully-walkable roof; marine grade exterior speakers; residential style furniture and carpeting; high efficiency furnace and water heater; and central air conditioning with directional and closeable vents.

In addition, the White Hawk’s “Elite Kitchen” includes recessed halogen lights; designer-inspired kitchen cabinetry; large rounded countertops; deep 60/40 acrylic sink with sink covers; decorative backsplash; 6.3 cubic foot Norcold refrigerator with external temperature adjustments and black metal door inserts; and an Atwood high-efficiency oven.

The White Hawk also carries Jayco’s industry-leading Co-Pilot Warranty offering the original purchaser a two-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. In addition, all Jayco products have been Green Certified by TRA Certification Inc., an independent third- party certification agency. Jayco products have earned top-level certification through the use of sustainable materials, environmentally-friendly production methods, energy-efficient components and reduction of waste.

 

VIDEO #2: Overview of Jayco’s Camping Trailers

Today’s video comes from Jayco Inc. offering a rundown of the Middlebury, Ind.-based builder’s 2012 lines of folding camping trailers.

 

Jayco Earns DSI Award for Fifth Successive Year

Jayco Inc. has been awarded the prestigious Quality Circle DSI Award for the fifth consecutive year by the national Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA). The awards were received for the company’s motorhomes, folding camping trailers and the Eagle, Jay Feather, Jay Flight, and Pinnacle towable brands.

The annual RVDA Quality Circle award is presented each year to RV manufacturers who achieve top scores in dealer surveys in the areas of product design and quality, sales support, warranty/parts support and communication. The awards will be presented to Jayco on Oct. 5 at a Gala Awards Dinner during the RVDA’s National Convention and Expo in Las Vegas.

“Over the years, our partnership with our dealers has played a major role in our overall mission and strategy,” said Derald Bontrager, Jayco’s president. “They are our ambassadors in the marketplace. For them to honor us in this way is a source of pride and confidence in our future success.”

 

Jayco Schedules Dealer Training, Open House

Jayco Inc. announced that it will hold its 10th annual Marketing and Skills Training for Excellence in RV Sales (MASTERS) Sept. 19–23 and Oct. 3–6 for dealership retail sales personnel at its corporate offices in Middlebury, Ind.

In conjunction with the first week of MASTERS, Jayco is also hosting an Open House for all dealers, to showcase its model year 2012 lineup. The Open House will run Sept. 20 – 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jayco’s campus. The dates coincide with Elkhart County’s 4th Annual RV Open House Week, set to take place Sept. 19-23.

During the two training sessions, more than 500 sales personnel from Jayco’s dealerships from the U.S. and Canada will receive intensive training on Jayco’s 2012 model year lineup and see firsthand how Jayco operates and builds its RVs, according to a press release.

The dealer sales representatives will attend classes, led by the regional sales managers, that cover each of Jayco’s product lines. Each class will provide important product features and benefits to help retail sales personnel increase sales penetration for their dealership.

“MASTERS is designed to provide our dealers’ retail sales personnel with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully sell Jayco’s extensive lines of RVs,” said Derald Bontrager, Jayco president. “The positive feedback we continue to receive from our dealers about MASTERS, and our subsequent increase in market share over the past several years, makes this training program an important part of our overall selling effort.”

Regarding the Open House, Bontrager noted: “Since we already host our dealers’ retail sales personnel around this time of the year and have for several years, incorporating an Open House for dealer management teams into the mix is a logical extension of our plans. We’re excited to display our new 2012 models to the Open House visitors and draw on the fact that many of our dealerships will already have representatives in town for MASTERS.”

Jayco plans on displaying more than 40 models from the 2012 lineup and will provide lunch for Open House attendees throughout the week from 1-2 p.m.

 

VIDEO #1: Jayco’s Jay Flight Travel Trailers

Today’s video is from Middlebury, Ind.-based Jayco Inc. offering a detailed look at the new features and options on the 2012 line of Jay Flight travel trailers and destination trailers.

Jayco Honors Top Dealers at Homecoming

Jayco Inc. paid tribute to its top dealers as part of the opening evening’s proceedings during the June 20-22 Annual Dealer Homecoming held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Highlighting the ceremony, Jayco’s Founders Award was presented to Chris Brown, owner of Aberdeen RV Center, Aberdeen, Miss.

Marking the ninth year for the Founder’s Award, which “exemplifies the spirit and values of the founders of Jayco,” President Derald Bontrager noted that Aberdeen RV Center has been affiliated with Jayco since the dealership’s founding 17 years ago.

Other presentations included:

Top performers for 2011
• Largest Jayco dealer: Richardson’s RV Centers, with California locations in Riverside, Sun City and Temecula
• Top camping trailer dealer: Hilltop Trailer Sales Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.
• Top travel trailer dealer: Crestview RV Center, with Texas locations in Buda, Selma and Georgetown.
• Top fifth wheel dealer: Happy Trails RV, with British Columbia locations in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and Prince George.
• Top motorhome dealers (starting with No. 1) : Richardsons RV Center; K&C RV Centers, Longmont, Colo.; Terry Town RV Center, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Camping World RV Sales, Albuquerque, N.M.; Albany RV, Albany, N.Y.
• Top combined towable dealers (starting with No. 1): Crestview RV Center; Happy Trails RV, Grand Prairie, Alberta; Albany RV; Powersports and RV Canada, Ottowa, Ont.; CRC RV Center, Moncton and Frederickton, New Brunswick

Gold Circle Dealers
• 1st year: GNR Camping World, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Campers Barn of Kingston, Kingston, N.Y.; Haylett’s North Country, Coldwater, Mich.
• 5th year: C.S.R.A Camperland, Martinez, Ga.; Dunlap RV Center, Dunlap, Tenn.
• 10th year: Traveland Rv Superstore, Langley, B.C.
• 15th year: Link Ford and RV
• 20th year: Big Sky RV, Bozeman, Mont.; Harper Camperland LLC, Harper and Great Bend, Kan.; Lee’s Camper, Mason City, Iowa; Manteca Trailer and Camper, Manteca, Calif.
• 25th year: Camperland of Oklahoma, Tulsa, Okla.; Jack’s Campers, Mitchell, S.D.; Lone Star RV Sales, Houston; Thompson’s RV Family, Davenport, Iowa; Willies RV Center, Bloomer, Wisc.
• 30th year: Burlington RV Superstore, Sturtevant, Wisc.; FMB Limited, Holmen, Wisc.
• Gold Circle members since inception: Seven O’s Inc., Kirkville, N.Y.; Youngblood’s RV Center Inc., Mayfield, Ky.

Jayco Touts Efficiencies in Product, Strategy

While paying tribute to a venerable 43-year run in the RV industry, Jayco Inc. also outlined an agile and fluid business plan to meet future challenges as the builder hosted its Annual Homecoming & 2012 New Product Introduction.

“The old way of doing things is no longer the most effective plan. We need to be smarter, more innovative and bolder than ever before,” said Jayco President Derald Bontrager, addressing 455 attendees representing 165 dealerships during the June 20-22 gathering at The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

He added, “Staying ahead of the competition and delivering the highest quality of products and service that meet the needs of our customers is our highest priority. This requires us to continually evaluate product-development programs and business practices for effectiveness and efficiency.”

Bontrager said that Jayco had redoubled efforts to streamline and redefine efficiencies at its sprawling campus in Middlebury, Ind. — including a continued emphasis on green manufacturing practices — that would affect “every level of the company.” He noted the initiative would extend to Jayco’s manufacturing operations in Twin Falls, Idaho.

“We are focused on efficiency and part of that includes our continued commitment to the success and growth of the Twin Falls facility,” he said. “Our team in Twin Falls is doing an outstanding job in improving both efficiency and effectiveness of the operations. We recognize that Jayco is at the point where we need to expand our offerings out of our western facilities. And that is a front-burner item as we plan for the future.”

Bontrager reported that Jayco had also restored operations at its Starcraft facility in Topeka, Ind., during the past year. “At this time, production of more than 90% of the Starcraft models has been moved back to the Topeka complex,” he said.

But the focus, as always, remains on product. Bontrager said Jayco was diligently tracking the habits of a mercurial consumer base and delivering units that cornered hot buttons in the marketplace — most notably “a shift towards smaller, economical, lighter-weight RVs” led by the company’s eco-friendly Skylark travel trailer.

“The 2012 product lineup you see here this week is a down payment on our new strategy aimed at meeting the demands of the various customer groups and giving you a stellar inventory of appealing products,” he said, adding that the new line included a reduction in floorplans and the addition of product packages offering “value-packed, lighter-weight options.”

Bontrager noted that, coupled with an emphasis on research and development, Jayco also made key organizational changes to “help differentiate our products.”

“The three brands — Jayco, Starcraft and Entegra Coach — now have separate management, sales, product development, engineering, accounting and production teams,” stated Bontrager. “These changes will allow the divisional management teams to get laser-focused on their specific brands, and help us navigate our way through this challenging marketplace.”

Highlights from the new product rollout included:

• The Eagle SL HT, the newest addition to Jayco’s Eagle Super Lite lineup of travel trailers and fifth-wheels. Designed for today’s smaller trucks, the Eagle SL HT is lighter than other fifth-wheels on the market while still boasting more convenient amenities and features in its price level. Standard features for the Eagle SL HT include a new full-body gray fiberglass exterior, suite-style closet slide in bedroom, dual pots-and-pans drawers, 60/40 deep-bowl kitchen sinks and a 26-inch LCD HDTV with 180-degree viewing angle. In addition, the Eagle SL HT features Concord cherry cabinetry, pleated night shades, residential furniture designed and made by Jayco, and ball-bearing drawer guides throughout with a 50-pound capacity and full-drawer extensions.

• A new model was introduced to the popular Jay Flight travel trailer lineup. The Jay Flight Swift SLX offers “all the essentials of a family-focused travel trailer at a price that makes camping in style even more affordable.” Available in three floorplans, the 145RB, 154BH, and 184 BH range from 16 to 20 feet in length. Standard interior amenities include two-burner range with range hood and exhaust fan; Concord cherry-stained hardwood cabinet doors; pleated shades throughout; large safety-glass windows; metal alloy plumbing fittings in kitchen and bath sinks; microwave oven; and a multi-media Sound System with iPod hookup. Standard construction features include 4-inch cambered steel box tube frame, aerodynamic front profile and integrated A-frame.

• For 2012, Jayco “reinvented” its Seneca Class C coach, offering a Freightliner chassis and Cummins ISB 6.7L 340HP engine with 750-watt block heater. Standard chassis equipment includes 6-speed automatic Allison 2500 TRV Series transmission with overdrive; 160-amp alternator; a 10,000-pound hitch with 7-pin plug; Accuride aluminum rims; auxiliary start switch; Cummins exhaust brake; and deluxe, heated, remote-control side-view mirrors. Currently offered in two floorplans, the 36FK and the 37 FS, the Seneca also features Amish-crafted Washington glazed-maple hardwood cabinetry, high-gloss, solid-surface kitchen countertops, a king-sized bed and a well-appointed kitchen.

• The 2012 Greyhawk Class C motorhome is equipped with an adjustable-pitch patio awning and optional power-up/power-down four-point automatic hydraulic leveling system. On the interior a ladder for easy access to the cab sleeping area was added along with a motorized swing arm for the cab-over TV. Other new features include an aluminum rim option, Sirius Satellite radio with six-month paid subscription and a tankless water heater.

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