MCD Innovations Notes Shade Users at Show

The American Duo Shade System manufactured by MCD Innovations was a featured item in many of the 2011/2012 recreational vehicles displayed at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) National RV Trade Show, Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisv How To Get Your Ex Girlfriend Back ille, Ky.

The shades were prominently shown on Class A, Class B, Class C and fifth-wheel recreational vehicles. Winnebago, Holiday Rambler, Newmar, Monaco, Tiffin, NuWa, Coachmen, Itasca, Carriage, Peterson/Excel, Thor and Fleetwood are just some of the brands that featured MCD shades in their new models, according to an MCD news release.

“This industry-leading shade system has been embraced by the RV industry as the new standard for window coverings and solar protection,” said Dave Townsley, CEO of MCD Innovations.  MCD shades may also be custom-made for consumers wishing to renovate their RVs, whether it be a Class A, Class B, Class C, fifth-wheel or travel trailer.

McKinney, Texas-based MCD Innovations has been engineering and producing an array of industry leading sun protection products since 2003. The company supplies a wide range of innovative products to numerous RV OEMs, an ever-growing number of dealers and to RV owners throughout the U.S. and Canada. MCD shades can now also be found in a multitude of marine, commercial and residential applications.

For more information and to review the benefits and features of the MCD American Duo shade technology, contact MCD Innovations at (800) 804-1757, visit www.mcdinnovations.com or mail info@mcdinnovations.com.

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Day 1: Breaking News from Louisville Show

Following are highlights of some of the developments announced at or reported to RVBUSINESS.com during this week’s National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky.

RVIA Releases 3 Videos

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association has released three new videos in conjunction with the 48th Annual National RV Trade Show underway this week in Louisville, Ky. One of the videos new appears on the RVBUSINESS.com homepage.

RVIA Welcomes Chinese Delegation

A delegation sponsored by the Department of Commerce in Beijing, China, is visiting the 48th Annual National RV Trade Show today and Wednesday in Louisville, Ky.

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) will host a reception for the Chinese delegation tonight at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The Chinese will be meeting with U.S. vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. Tables have been set up and five interpreters have been hired to assist the attendees communicate with each other.

Some members of the delegation will be visiting the RV/MH Hall of Fame on Thursday in Elkhart, Ind., and visiting one or more RV plants.

RVIA President Richard Coon said there is great potential for the RV industry to enter China. Coon said the Chinese consumers have more disposable income and leisure time than ever before and are interested in learning more about the RV lifestyle.

Newmar Adds MCD Innovations Shades

MCD Innovations announced that Newmar Corp. is installing MCD shades in their 2011 Dutch Star and newly redesigned 2011 Ventana models. The windshield and driver/passenger shades in the Ventana replace the visors and curtains that have been installed in the past. The Dutch Star model also includes the cockpit shade system. In addition, American Duo house shades are available for these models.

Also used in both coaches on the driver’s side window is the innovative, patent-pending MCD SwayShade, the unique roller shade configuration that travels forward as it is pulled down so as to cover the lower front corner of the driver’s window, which a normal shade cannot do. Newmar specified this unique shade for both the Ventana and Dutch Star.

“With Newmar’s high standard of craftsmanship and their ability to lead the industry with their innovative products, we are pleased that they have selected the American Duo Shade System for two of their most popular coaches,” said MCD Innovations CEO Dave Townsley. “ We look forward to working with Newmar and providing their customers the best the industry has to offer in solar protection, outward visibility and privacy.”

“Newmar is constantly looking to partner with the best Suppliers in the Industry to provide our discerning customers with the quality products that they deserve in their motorhome. MCD American Duo Shades will be a valued addition to our Dutch Star and Ventana Diesel Brands,” said Kyle McCrary, director of luxury motorhomes and product design at Newmar Corp.

Accidents Hamper Show Traffic

Multiple accidents on Interstate 65 southbound near Eastern Parkway just north of the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., site of this week’s National RV Trade Show, have closed two lanes this morning, a MetroSafe Communications supervisor told the Louisville Courier-Journal.

There were reports of injuries, but the supervisor did not know the severity or how many people were injured. A Trimarc incident report said six vehicles were involved.

All southbound lanes were closed for about an hour after one accident was reported about 5:40 a.m., but the two left lanes were re-opened just before 7 a.m.

No further details were immediately available.

Morin Named Canadian Dealer of the Year

Daniel Morin, owner of Roulottes Desjardins, St-Jerome, Quebec, was named Canadian RV Dealer of the Year by the Recreation Vehicle Dealers of Canada (RVDA of Canada).

Morin’s award was announced and presented Monday night (Nov. 29) during the Canada Night Dinner held at the Galt House in Louisville. Morin is a 41-year veteran of the RV industry. He was a founding member of the RVDA of Quebec, past chairman of the RVDA of Canada and past director of Go RVing Canada board.

Thor Falls Short of Analysts’ Forecasts

Thor Industries Inc. fell short of profit forecasts provided by Wall Street analysts who follow the giant  RV company.

Thor said Monday its fiscal first-quarter profit edged higher amid a 21% jump in revenue, Businessweek reported.

The company reported net income of $23.7 million, or 44 cents a share, for the three months ended Oct. 31. That compares with net income of $23.4 million, or 42 cents a share, in the prior-year quarter.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of 54 cents a share, on average.

Revenue increased to $606.7 million from $502.6 million a year earlier.

Thor said RV sales rose 30 percent versus the same quarter last year, while bus segment sales declined 11 percent.

Peter Orthwein, Thor’s chairman, said gross margins were affected by increased discounting as dealers remained cautious entering the slowest season of the year.

Shares in Thor Industries rose 14 cents to $33.78 in aftermarket trading after falling 91 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $33.64 during the regular session.

MCD Training Techs in Retrofit Installations

Technicians from a number of different RV renovation companies from across the country gathered in McKinney, Texas, Nov. 2-5 for the latest in an ongoing series of educational MCD Innovations Dealer Training Sessions.

The intensive four-day course allowed technicians in the RV renovation and retrofit market to learn in detail how to design, measure and install MCD American Duo Shade Systems in RV windshield, cockpit and living areas, according to a news release.

“This training course is designed to provide MCD authorized dealers the knowledge necessary to properly design and install the popular American Duo Shade Systems,” said Carla Townsley of MCD Innovations.

The student/technicians were given training on how to design and install one-, two-, and three-piece windshield shade systems. They also worked hands-on with MCD factory installers/trainers during the measuring and installation process for the house shades of a number of different motor coaches and fifth-wheels. An extensive factory explanatory tour helped the students understand how and why each of the shade component parts are designed to function harmoniously together.

Graduation certificates were awarded to students Jim Lewis and Heath McIntire of Infinity Coach Inc., Sumner, Wash.; Keith Neilson and Brian Conrad of Davis Cabinets, Junction City, Ore.; Joh Visser of 3-T’s RV Products Inc., Lake Havasu, Ariz.; and Richard Martin of Brenda’s Blind Service, Dodge City, Kan.

MCD Innovations has been engineering and producing an array of sun protection products since 2003 in their state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in McKinney. The company supplies a wide range of innovative products to numerous RV OEMs, an ever-growing number of RV dealers and RV owners throughout the U.S. and Canada. MCD is also expanding rapidly into the commercial and residential markets with unique shade systems and energy efficient merchandising products.

RV dealers and renovators may contact MCD Innovations for more information about the exciting and profitable MCD Dealer Program at (800) 804-1757.

MCD Innovations Trains Dealers/Renovators

Technicians from a number of RV renovation companies from across the country gathered in McKinney, Texas, this week for the latest in a series of MCD Dealer Training Sessions.

“The four-day training provided an opportunity for companies in the RV renovation and retrofit market to learn in detail the process of measuring and installing the MCD American Duo Shade System in the RV windshield, cockpit, and living areas,” said Carla Townsley of MCD Innovations, in a news release. “We offer this training to RV dealers and renovators that want to sell and install MCD Shades in the cockpit of a motorhome to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to install them according to MCD standards.”

The dealer training sessions are held once per quarter.

Graduating from the Sept. 20-23 training were Jack Harris of Master Tech RV Service, Matt Brumble of Bob Gunn Associates, Greg Mies and John Little of From Trees to These, Charlie Cox of MCD Innovations and John Lee of RV Décor.

During this hands-on training session, technicians had the opportunity to assist with the installation of one-, two- and three-piece windshield shade systems. They also worked with MCD instructors during the measuring and installation process for the house shades of several motorcoaches.

“I was surprised by how involved the process really is,” said Jack Harris from Master Tech RV Service, a full-service RV repair and renovation company in Elkhart, Ind. “I thought one day of training would be adequate, but there is so much more to installing the windshield and cockpit shades that the additional training days were essential to completely understand the process. I’m glad I had the opportunity to have this hands-on experience. The MCD shades are what our customers want, and now we will be able to help them enjoy the full benefits of the shades by being able to install them throughout their RVs.”

MCD Innovations has been engineering and producing an array of industry-leading sun protection products since 2003 in their state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in McKinney. The company supplies a wide range of innovative products to numerous RV OEMs, an ever-growing number of dealers and RV owners throughout the U.S. and Canada and has expanded into the commercial and residential markets with shade systems as well as merchandising shade products.

RV dealers and renovators may contact MCD Innovations for more information about the MCD dealer program at (800) 804-1757.

Renegade/Kibbi Picks MCD Innovation Shade

Renegade/Kibbi LLC, manufacturer of the IKON motorcoach, has selected MCD Innovations’ American Duo shade system for installation in its custom motorcoaches.

“Our requirements for a shade that provided comfort, privacy, and ease of operation have been exceeded with the MCD shades,” said Kibbi’s Danny Lagunas in a news release. “Our customers can choose power-operated or manual-operated shades and get the same look and the installation is production friendly. The staff at MCD works with us on our custom requirements and the support after the sale satisfies our most discriminating owner.”

“We are pleased to be able to offer the revolutionary MCD Shade System in the Renegade line-up. Renegade’s discerning customers will immediately benefit from this easy-to-use, leading-edge technology,” noted Dave Townsley, CEO of McKinney, Texas-based MCD Innovations.

The MCD American Duo proprietary ClearView solar shade fabric dramatically reduces the amount of UV rays and heat that enter a coach, while providing daytime privacy and outward visibility. The MCD night shade fabrics provide 100% light-blockage and room-darkening capability.

Bristol, Ind.-based Renegade/Kibbi started in 1997 when Chuck McKibbin and his crew were banned from showing their unit at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) national convention because they were not members. So they displayed their RV in the parking lot and called themselves the “renegades.”

Now, 13 years later, Renegade/Kibbi LLC has grown to 105 employees, and has eclipsed production milestones with the 2,500th motorhome and the 1,800th trailer rolling off the assembly line. The company manufactures unique upscale motorhomes, sportdecks, garage units, specialty vehicles and trailers.

MCD Innovations Attending Monaco Rally

MCD Innovations, a manufacturer of premium RV accessories and the American Duo Shade System, will be in Salem, Ore., for the Monaco International Rally, Aug. 3-7.

Company representatives will be available to discuss the importance of blocking solar heat and UV rays with products that also provide privacy and light blockage for RV occupants, according to a news release.

“We welcome rally participants to come by to visit with us about how the American Duo Shade System can be installed in their motorcoach,” said MCD CEO Dave Townsley. “We are also happy to announce that many 2010-11 Navistar Monaco LLC motorcoaches will have MCD shades installed as original equipment.”

MCD Innovations has been engineering and producing an array of industry leading sun protection products since 2003 in their state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in McKinney, Texas. The company supplies a wide range of innovative products including solar screens, tire covers, vent/fan covers, skylight covers, and mirror bras and covers to numerous RV OEMs, an ever-growing number of dealers, and RV owners throughout the USA and Canada and has expanded into the commercial and residential markets with shade systems as well as merchandising shade products.

For information, visit www.mcdinnovations.com or call (800) 804-1757.

MCD Debuting New Screen Door Pull-Up Shade

MCD Innovations has designed a new screen door solar shade system for the RV industry aptly named the MCD Screen Door Pull-up Shade (because of the manner in which it pulls up out of its housing and latches to the top of a screen door frame). The assembly has a highly refined mechanism that allows the user to extend and retract the solar shade fabric to cover the door screen area. The proprietary MCD ClearViewSolar Screen shade fabric is utilized in the new assembly to provide both UV and heat transfer protection. The shade fabric is encased in an attractive, lightweight aluminum housing that attaches quickly and easily to any screen door frame. During the day, occupants have a superb outward view and complete privacy, but those on the outside cannot see in. The shades are custom made for each make and model of RV.  To operate the MCD Screen Door Pull-up Shade, simply grasp the exposed tab, raise the shade and fasten it to the included latching hardware that is to be attached to the upper part of the door frame. To retract the shade, grasp the tab, lift it off the latching hardware and lower the day shade back into its housing. For more information, visit www.mcdinnovations.com or call (800) 804-1757.

MCD Innovations Moving into Larger Facility

Editor’s Note: The following story was provided by Dave Townsley, founder and CEO of MCD Innovations, McKinney, Texas.

Seven years ago, my wife Carla and I formed MotorCoach Designs (now known as MCD Innovations) with three things in mind:

First, we wanted to start a company from scratch in which my four children could be involved from the beginning and learn what it takes to build a successful company. All four of my children joined Carla and me as we began our quest: two sons, Travis and Darren; two daughters, Amanda and Tiffany; as well as a son-in-law, Wayne. MCD is and always has been a classic example of a family-owned, family-managed American company.

Second, coming from an automotive background, I believed that RV OEMs and their customers would recognize and appreciate the value of a line of innovative, quality RV products designed to protect, enhance, and personalize new and existing units. As a result, MCD built an ever-growing range of products, from exterior solar screens to wheel covers to our new American Duo Shade System and supplied those products to numerous OEMs and their dealers. Many of the products were private labeled for OEMs such as Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Newell, Mandalay, Country Coach, American Coach, Newmar, and others. Our roster of OEM customers today is a veritable who’s who of the industry from Winnebago to Tiffin to Forest River to Renegade to Fleetwood to Born Free to New Horizons to Foretravel to NuWa and on and on.

Third, we believed that both of those parameters could be accomplished in the U.S.A. utilizing good, old-fashioned American ingenuity and drive and skilled American workers. The family made a commitment to do everything we could to support our country and our economy by producing as much of our product as possible in the U.S.A. Today, over 92% of the components we use are made in America. And, unlike far too many products today, 100% of the labor needed to design, engineer and produce our finished products has always been performed in Texas by a dedicated, diversified American workforce.

The History

When the business was started in 2003, we set up in a 7,500-square-foot building. More than one of us thought, “… how are we ever going to use all of this space?” But, we had a dream that we believed in. And we were blessed. Two years later, in 2005, the company had outgrown the space and we moved to a much larger building, 25,000 square feet. We looked at these new quarters and thought, again, “… how are we ever going to use all of this space?” We still had the same basic dream with which we started and believed in, but just now on a larger scale. And again, we were blessed and MCD continued to grow.

This next month, in July, just seven years from when we first started our business, MCD will move to a 9.6-acre campus as we continue our quest. As we’ve gotten bigger as a company, our dream has also grown. Now we’re dreaming on a much grander scale.

To support our country, our state, our city, our friends and our neighbors, we are committing to a major, long-term investment. What started as a dream became our vision and has now become our mission: “We will design, engineer, and produce innovative, leading-edge, world-class products in the U.S.A. utilizing all American-made components, equipment and labor.”

By using American-built equipment, American-made components and American labor, we are confident that MCD can successfully compete against other companies, anywhere in the world. MCD made a commitment early on of investing in state-of-the-art equipment, designed and made in the U.S.A., to manufacture our products. And we will continue to do so. Our sophisticated cutting equipment is manufactured in California to our exacting specifications. Our unbeatable packaging is made in Louisiana. All of our aluminum extrusions are produced in Texas. Those are but a few examples, and they’re just the beginning. We are striving toward being able, by the end of 2010, to have virtually 100% of the components that are utilized in MCD products manufactured in the U.S.A., either by MCD directly or one of our valued suppliers. We firmly believe that American ingenuity and drive, and a dedicated, skilled American workforce can successfully compete against the world.

The Future

Our new “facility for the future” will initially provide over twice the manufacturing space. Coupled with our ongoing investment in the latest equipment technology and processes, we will be able to increase our current capacity ten fold. We’ll have more than twice the office and engineering space. And we will be able to provide service to more than five times as many customers who choose to bring their RVs to us for retrofitting with MCD products. But this time we aren’t wondering how we will ever use all of the space. Over the past few years, our dream has gotten bigger. Much bigger. We are already envisioning having to add more manufacturing area, additional accommodation space, perhaps a small RV rally park, and so forth as we continue to grow. And if we are blessed to the point that it becomes necessary to add an entire 2nd or 3rd facility down the road, I assure you that they will also be located in the U.S.A.

MCD loves the RV business. Among MCD personnel you’ll find full-timers and weekenders alike. From travel trailers to Class A coaches. We understand the wants, the needs, and the lifestyle. Carla and I have personally put over 160,000 miles on a Class A over the last seven years while developing, testing and proving every single product MCD has ever introduced. MCD personnel have participated in hundreds of rallies, observing and listening. As a result, we have had literally thousands of customers tell MCD personnel that our understanding of what RVers want and need shows in our products. That is very reassuring, as well as very flattering.

As of this writing, MCD shade products come on some 26 different brand names from the factory as original equipment on fifth-wheel, Class B, Class C, and Class A products. A growing dealer network around the country installs MCD products in the aftermarket everyday from Florida to Washington and from Connecticut to California. MCD will continue to invest in the resources necessary to develop and prove innovative, leading-edge RV products that will Protect, Enhance, and Personalize RVs for years to come. Watch as we become settled in our new campus; you will see our new product introduction rate increase rapidly.

You may also be interested in knowing that MCD develops and produces unique products for commercial and residential markets in addition to the RV market. Maybe you’ve seen some of our shade or merchandising products in one of the over 8,500 Dunkin Donuts stores or in a Dickeys BBQ or a Chili’s or a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant. Our new facility and equipment will allow us to grow this side of our business far faster in the future. MCD has even been called on to design and produce some very unique products for the aviation and marine industries. And other industries beckon.

All of the dedicated, skilled employees at MCD and my entire family would like to extend a heartfelt “THANK YOU” for the patronage which has been extended to us in the past. Without the support of our customers, end-users, dealers, and OEMs alike, we would not be where we are today. We ask for your continued support in the future as MCD works to develop and produce an array of exciting, groundbreaking products and technologies, All Made in the U.S.A., that can be supplied to customers around the world. Lastly, I ask that you join us in our efforts. Do what you can to keep and create jobs in our great country.

MCD to Attend Fleetwood Rally June 26-30

MCD Innovations, manufacturer of premium RV accessories and the American Duo Shade System, will be in DuQuoin, Ill., for the Fleetwood Motorhome Association 2nd Annual National Rally, June 26-30.

Company representatives will be on hand to discuss the importance of blocking solar heat and UV rays with products that also provide privacy and light blockage for RV occupants, as well as demonstrate the Dual-Range Safety Motors for interior windshield shades, according to a news release.

“We invite Fleetwood owners to come by to visit with us about how the American Duo Shade System can replace their current shades and curtains in their coaches,” said Peggy Grich, MCD RV marketing representative.

MCD Innovations has been engineering and producing an array of industry leading sun protection products since 2003 in their state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in McKinney, Texas. The Company supplies a wide range of innovative products including solar screens, tire covers, vent/fan covers, and mirror bras and covers to numerous RV OEMs, an ever-growing number of dealers and RV owners throughout the U.S. and Canada.

For information, visit www.mcdinnovations.com or call (800) 804-1757.

Foretravel Chooses MCD Innovations’ Shades

MCD Innovations announced today (June 3) that Foretravel Motorcoach has chosen the MCD American Duo Shade System as original equipment in their 2010 Phenix and Nimbus models.

“A quality-built motorcoach must be equipped with quality-built components and MCD shades are the only shades which Foretravel motorcoaches are equipped. Their dependability, styling and ease of use makes for an easy choice in window shades,” Curtis Fancher, sales manager for Foretravel of Texas Inc., stated in a news release.

“Foretravel motorcoach owners will enjoy the powered options available with the American Duo Shade System and will immediately recognize the benefits of this high-tech total privacy window shade solution,” noted Dave Townsley, CEO of MCD Innovations. “We are pleased to have developed this relationship with Foretravel and look forward to providing quality products for their customers for years to come.”

The MCD American Duo proprietary ClearView solar shade fabric dramatically reduces the amount of UV rays and heat that enter a coach, while providing day time privacy and outward visibility. The MCD night shade fabrics provide 100% light-blockage and room-darkening capability.

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