Dicor’s Vixen Composites Adds FRP Products

Dicor Corp.’s Vixen Composites affiliate has taken the next step in its strategic plan to become a complete supplier of sidewall and other external panels and composites by introducing Vixen FRP products.

“When Vixen was formed a couple of years ago, the plan we had was to develop an unmatched range of products that would bring the newest and best FRP and composite technologies to the RV market,” stated Gregg Fore, president of the Elkhart, Ind.-based supplier, in a press release. “We started by focusing on producing our Vixenite composite panels, which we have successfully introduced into a variety of non-RV markets, and quickly moved to work with manufacturers across the globe to develop RV-specific FRP panel technology to improve the long-term performance of RV exteriors.”

The new product lines are marketed under the name Vixen FRP, and are comprised of a family of products that address different application and finish requirements. The first product introduced will be FibroPlus, specifically designed to boost the performance of RV sidewalls. FibroGloss, an extra high-gloss FRP, will be introduced early in 2013, along with FibroGrip, a non-skid material, and FibroTrans, a translucent panel.

Vixen General Manager Gordon Frost said that FibroPlus and FibroGloss will be available in a variety of widths and colors and in rolls up to 200 feet in length. Frost explained that “some competitive FRP products use general purpose resins with lower fiberglass content and may sell thinner panels, while Vixen’s products are constructed of a proprietary blend of resins and manufactured using new curing technology. They have a minimum thickness of 0.050. These are all important factors in the long term performance of the FRP.”

Fore added, “After working with several global manufacturers, Dicor selected the Yucel Group to provide these specifically formulated FRP Products to Vixen Composites. Yucel made a solid commitment to meet Vixen’s specifications and quality standards, expanded their facility for RV demand, and have proven technical ability along with the integrity and strong principles needed to satisfy both Vixen and its customers.”

According to Fore, these new products are perfect complements to the Vixenite Composite panels introduced earlier by Vixen. “With the addition of this family of FRP products, Vixen will now be able to offer sidewall products that meet the needs of the majority of RV products produced on an annual basis.”

For more information call Gordon Frost at (574) 264-2699. Vixen FRP products will be part of the “Center for the Amazing” Dicor Corp. booth in the North Wing Lobby, Hall 2A, of the Kentucky Exposition Center during the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Nov. 27-29.

 

Lippert to Consolidate Furniture, Seating Units

Lippert Components Inc. (LCI) announced today (Nov. 12) that it is realigning its furniture and seating divisions into a rebranded Lippert Interior Solutions. According to a news release, the company is also consolidating two 70,000 square foot seating manufacturing facilities in Goshen, Ind., into one newly outfitted 160,000 square-foot manufacturing plant.

“We want to bring all of our plants that are manufacturing furniture, seating and mattress products under one brand name with a new focus on putting out the best product available on the market for RV OEMS and other market niches,” said LCI CEO Jason Lippert.

The launch of Lippert Interior Solutions will include rebranding the Homestyle division in Idaho and the Michiana Mattress division in Goshen, as well as the plant realignment in Indiana.

The Indiana plant consolidation will result in additional employment at the new facility, taking the number of employees in that division to approximately 300. The new facility is expected to be online in the first quarter of 2013 and will be headed by General Manager Mark Taylor and Ryan Smith, vice president of sales for Lippert Interior Solutions.

“This consolidation and expansion into a larger facility allow us to ‘lean up’ the operation, improve workflow and consolidate raw materials and manufacturing into one plant,” said LCI Vice President and National Operations Manager Todd Driver.

“Consolidating the facilities will also make the operation more vertically integrated,” said LCI Director of Product Development Jeff Few. “Consolidating the wood division, the steel division, and the foam cutting operation streamlines management and communications, and accelerates production and product development while increasing quality control and improving design.”

Patrick’s 3Q Boosted by RV Sales, Acquisitions

Elkhart, Ind.-based Patrick Industries Inc., a major supplier of building and component products for the recreational vehicle, manufactured housing and industrial markets, reported significant sales and earnings gains for its third quarter boosted by strong performance from RV operations. The company also announced the establishment of a new $80 million revolving credit facility.

Net sales for the third quarter, ended Sept. 30, increased $35.5 million or 45.9% to $112.9 million from $77.4 million in the same quarter of 2011. The sales increase reflected a 66% increase in the company’s revenue from the RV industry and a 13% increase in revenue from the MH industry, which represented approximately 68% and 20% of third-quarter sales, respectively.

Approximately $18.7 million of the revenue increase was attributable to acquisitions completed in 2011 and 2012, with the remaining $16.8 million increase primarily attributable to increased RV market penetration and a 19% increase in quarterly wholesale unit shipments in the RV industry.

Patrick reported net income in the third quarter of $6.6 million, or 60 cents per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.5 million, or 44 cents per diluted share in the third quarter of 2011. Third quarter 2012 net income was positively impacted by a net gain on the sale of fixed assets and on the acquisition of a business of $0.2 million. Earnings included a non-cash credit of $0.1 million, or 1 cent per diluted share, related to stock warrant accounting.

“We are pleased by our third quarter revenue and profitability growth as we continue to increase our market share in the primary markets we serve through new product introductions, line extensions and the realization of our strategic and operational initiatives that are an integral part of our ‘customer first’ culture and mission,” said Todd Cleveland, president and CEO. “In addition, we believe the newest members to our Patrick family, Gustafson Lighting and Creative Wood Designs, and the other acquisitions we have completed since August 2010 will continue to provide positive contributions to our operating profitability and allow us to gain additional penetration in the RV and industrial market sectors.”

Net sales for the first nine months increased approximately $101.7 million, or 44.3%, to $331.2 million from $229.5 million in the same period in 2011. Approximately $46.5 million of the sales increase was attributable to the acquisitions completed in 2011 and 2012. In addition, increased RV shipment levels over the prior year and improved retail fixture and residential furniture sales in the industrial market positively impacted revenue growth on a year-to-date basis.

For the first nine months, Patrick reported net income of $24.9 million, or $2.32 per diluted share, compared to net income of $7 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the same period in 2011. The period was positively impacted by a non-cash credit of $6.7 million or 62 cents per diluted share, related to the reversal of a deferred tax valuation allowance and a net gain on the sale of fixed assets and on the acquisition of a business of $0.2 million, which were partially offset by a non-cash charge of $1.7 million related to stock warrant accounting.

To view the entire report click here.

Diversity Helps RV Supplier Survive Downturn

Unique Tooling, started in May 2007 to serve the RV industry, managed to grow during the economic downturn and has accelerated by diversifying into plastics, metal and wood-cutting devices as well as tool sharpening.

The South Bend (Ind.) Tribune reported that the firm, which operates in two buildings in North Liberty and has eight employees, had sales of $1.2 million last year, and owner Tom England expects to reach $2 million this year.

One of the North Liberty storefronts offers blades to homeowners and hobbyists and sharpening for chain saws, lawn mower blades and other cutting tools.

But Unique Tooling mostly supplies customers in the RV, aluminum-cutting, cabinet-making, marine and plastics industries in seven states as well as nearby towns including Elkhart, Shipshewana and Middlebury.

“We supply certain types of router bits and saw cutting items that they use in the RV market,” England says. “We diversified from that into wood and plastic and now we’re in the marine industry. We’re trying to diversify more and more.

“We’re hitting our little niches. A lot of it’s worked pretty well.”

To read the entire article click here.

 

ASA Names Jennifer King as RV OEM Manager

ASA Electronics, a supplier of RV audio and video electronics, announced the appointment of Jennifer King as the RV OEM industry manager.

According to a press release King has served for the past seven years as RV OEM account manager for Elkhart, Ind.-based ASA. “I am thrilled to be able to turn over the reins of the RV industry to Jennifer,” said Pat McCullough, commercial industry manager. “With her enthusiasm, energy, and exceptional detail to customer satisfaction, she will help continue to lead ASA’s dominance in the RV industry.”

King looks to expand market offerings by continuing to serve the industry in new and innovative ways. “Product development has been my passion since the beginning,” King said. “I look forward to advancing industry leading AV and appliance products with the highest level of service to the RV industry.”

 

Lippert Holds Pre-Game Shindig at ND Stadium

At Notre Dame Stadium, the football game is just part of the “Game Day” experience. As reported by the Goshen (Ind.) News, the parking lots that ring the historic stadium begin filling up early Saturday (Sept. 8) morning and by midmorning are packed with Fighting Irish fans cooking, eating, drinking — just soaking up the atmosphere that makes Irish football the tradition it is.

Goshen-based Lippert Components Inc. has turned the tailgate party into an art form over the past few years, hosting its own shindig before each home game.

Saturday was no different as Lippert Components staked out a spot in the Joyce Center lot, raised a tent, fired up the barbecues, cracked open a few adult and non-adult beverages, and invited employees, customers and friends to join in prior to the Irish’s 2012 home opener against in-state rival Purdue.

CEO Jason Lippert said the company employs about 5,200 people, most of those in Elkhart County.

The pre-game tailgate party was the brainchild of employee Marty McManus. From humble beginnings, the event now usually attracts anywhere from 200-300 people before each Irish home game – depending on a host of factors, including the weather and how good the team is at the time.

As the clock struck noon on Saturday — with about three and a half hours to kickoff — Lippert Components Plastics Group Sales Manager Rich Clark was manning the large covered tent, talking to guests and steering them toward the free food and drink offered.

Notre Dame football has been a family experience for Clark for more than 50 years. “My dad was an usher when I was young,” Clark said.

The logistics for putting on a tailgate party this large, as one might expect, can be tricky, Clark said.

“We have a set-up group that gets here at about 5:30 a.m. to get the tent set up, as well as the tables and chairs,” Clark said. “The food and another group gets here about 9, and then a teardown group takes over at about game time.”

Lippert said the party is a mixture of giving back to employees and customers. “They give us a budget, and we give them the money,” Lippert said.

To read the entire article click here.

 

Dicor Names Larry Lebryk Director of Marketing

Elkhart, Ind.-based Dicor Corp. has named Larry Lebryk as director of marketing, replacing Dwayne Nickel who recently retired.

According to a press release, Lebryk joined Dicor in January of 2011, serving as aftermarket manager where he assisted with aftermarket planning and execution along with other marketing and show activities.

Prior to Dicor, Lebryk worked in marketing and communications for Girard Products in San Clemente, Calif., helping in the marketing and coordination of their “On Demand” water heater new product launch. Lebryk also logged 17 years for a major supplier to the RV market, becoming director of marketing/aftermarket sales manager/manager of international sales.

“Larry has a successful history in marketing and management roles in the RV industry,” said Gregg Fore, president of Dicor. “Larry is well respected for his work with vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, and that experience will serve him well as he directs Dicor’s marketing efforts into the future.”

“Dicor has had an outstanding marketing presence over the past few years that has brought new products and strategies to the fore,” said Lebryk. “I appreciate the opportunity to be an integral part of that momentum and to build on it. We’re focused on bringing new products and services to both manufacturers and the aftermarket that can make a difference. This is an exciting time to be at the Dicor Corporation.”

For more information about Dicor, visit www.dicor.com.

 

Lippert Components Adds ‘Prototype Machine’

Goshen, Ind.-based Lippert Components Inc. (LCI), a key supplier of components to the RV and specialty trailer industries, recently made significant investments in its research and development systems. According to a press release, these investments will “allow the company to develop parts and engineer solutions faster in order to better serve the ever-changing RV market.”

Specifically, LCI acquired a rapid prototype machine designed to render and produce actual plastic prototype parts from a 3D CAD. In connection with the prototype machine, LCI also acquired CNC and plasma-cutting steel fabrication machines.

“We recognize that our industry moves quickly, and to be successful we have to continue to bring new, quality and innovative products to market in a timely fashion,” said Andy Murray, vice president of RV sales for LCI. “Now we will reduce new project turnaround times, and increase accuracy on first run prototype parts.”

Chris Greer, director of R&D for LCI, added, “With this new technology, parts are rendered in Solid Works CAD software and fed directly into the rapid prototype machine. After only hours of construction, prototype parts are completed. Our new prototype machine has been running non-stop since it was put into production, and is already paying dividends with the speed and accuracy with which we can complete projects.”

This new technology is also of immediate benefit to LCI’s aluminum extrusion facility, as it eliminates waste in the die production process for new extrusion shapes. The new equipment is located in a dedicated, 14,000-square-foot building retrofitted from an existing LCI facility.

“All testing, development and engineering for our specialty products will now be under one roof, creating synergies to benefit our customers,” said Greer.

Torklift Hires Fisher as National Sales Manager

Sumner, Wash.-based supplier Torklift International announced the hiring of Randy Fisher in the newly created position of national sales manager.

Fisher is a veteran to the recreational vehicle industry. He’s worked as the sales and finance manager at Southside RV in Tacoma, Wash., where he exceeded sales quotas by 40%, which translated to $400,000 in net profit for the dealership and improved closing ratios by 50%. Fisher was also the finance and marketing manager at Holiday Motorhomes and was a general sales manager for Family Fun RV in Fife, Wash., for several years.

During his career he’s reached several milestones including ranking among the top 10% in national sales, ranking third among 60 sales reps while employed at Pitney Bowes and consistently added new accounts and exceeded sales quotas by more than 100%.

“I have over 18 years of sales, management and marketing experience with inside and outside sales,” Fisher said in a press release. “Something I am very proud of is my ability to maintain and build strong sales teams and business relationships to meet and exceed goals. My focus is to help the team in any way I can.”

Fisher’s goals for 2013 include challenging Torklift International sales reps to continue growth on a daily basis and work toward driving sales. He’s working toward taking his current RV industry familiarity with the Torklift International products to become an expert on the entire product line and building profitable relationships with distributors, dealers and sales reps.

His educational background includes a communication degree from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

 

 

 

Acquisitions, RV Operations Boost Patrick 2Q

Patrick Industries Inc. reported strong gains in sales and earnings for its second quarter, ended July 1, boosted by strong RV performance and the infusion of revenue from recent acquisitions.

According to the Elkhart, Ind.-based supplier, sales for the second quarter increased $33 million, or 39.9%, to $115.6 million from $82.6 million in the same quarter of 2011. The increase reflected a 61% increase in the company’s revenue from the RV industry and a 15% increase in revenue from the manufactured housing industry.

Approximately $16.2 million of the revenue increase was attributable to four acquisitions completed since mid-June 2011, with the remaining $16.8 million increase primarily attributable to increased RV market penetration and a 4% increase in quarterly wholesale unit shipments in the RV industry.

The company reported net income in the second quarter of $13.3 million, or $1.22 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.7 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2011. Earnings were positively impacted by a non-cash credit of $6.7 million related to the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance, which was partially offset by a non-cash charge of $0.1 million.

“We continue to focus on growing our market share in all three of our primary markets through new product introductions, line extensions, and innovative creativity and expertise from our sales team, product managers, and in-house design department that capitalize on our ‘Customer First’ culture and mission,” said Todd Cleveland, president and CEO. “In addition, we believe the acquisitions completed since June 2011 will continue to provide positive contributions to our operating profitability and allow us to gain additional penetration in the RV and industrial market sectors.”

Net sales for the first six months increased approximately $66.2 million, or 43.5%, to $218.3 million from $152.1 million in the same period in 2011. Approximately $27.8 million of the sales increase was attributable to the acquisitions completed since mid-June 2011.

For the first six months, Patrick reported net income of $18.3 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.5 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the same period in 2011. Six months 2012 net income included the non-cash credit of $6.7 million or $0.62 per diluted share related to the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance and a non-cash charge of $1.8 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, related to mark-to-market accounting for common stock warrants.

“We are pleased with our operational and financial performance through the first half of 2012 and continue to execute on our organizational strategic agenda by making targeted capital investments and acquisitions, including our recently announced acquisition of Gustafson Lighting in Elkhart, which represents our fifth acquisition in thirteen months,” said Cleveland. “We remain focused on strategically leveraging our operating platform, resources, personnel, liquidity, and expertise to bring the highest level of quality products and service to our customers, which will in turn drive shareholder value.”

To view the entire report click here.

 

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