So again, why does Porter continue to fight the battles of business when he could be playing golf and roughhousing with his grandchildren? And that's an especially curious question considering both the Japanese export and Canadian snowbird markets are soft today.

Porter is not sitting back waiting for business to come back ­ he's aggressively looking for new opportunities. He said, "We had to do something to make up for that lost business so we accelerated our products in the domestic models, we came up with another brand and started to take on more dealers outside the state.

"We're also exploring getting back into the 8-wide type park model, and we are doing some exploratory work on other types of construction such as construction offices and school rooms. These are products that we can build without a big factory overhaul."

According to Porter, going into manufactured housing is not an option since it would require a major factory redesign.

RV News asked Porter if he considered manufacturing traditional RVs since he has such an extensive background in this market. He admitted considering the possibility, but a major problem with that idea is that there are no other RV manufacturers in Arizona and developing a cost-effective supply line is an obstacle.

He said, "You can never say you're never going to do something, but I don't think the traditional RV or travel trailer industry is where we want to go or can go. There is some pretty tough competition out there with big national brands and I just don't think I want to play that game anymore.

"Hopefully, the exchange rates with Canada and Japan will improve soon which will pump the business back up. In the meantime we're trying to keep busy and alive until things improve.

"We have summer coming up traditionally a time when park model builders don't have much to do. We're just struggling along until things improve and trying to diversify into some other markets. In the meantime, we have a contingency plan ready in case it deteriorates any farther."

As Porter looks toward the future he sees continuing challenges for the park trailer industry, but remains optimistic. He believes that the positive future the RV industry is seeing also bodes well for the park trailer industry since a large percentage of park trailer buyers are also RVers.

He said, "I'd say at least 90% have had or still have an RV. Most of our customers come to Arizona in their RV, rent a space in a park that also caters to park trailers and then live in a park for one or two seasons until they find out if they like the lifestyle. That's when they'll step up to a park model.

"The park trailer customers is 55 or older; they're a little more active than the average senior citizen and they need a place to come in the winters. Most of them are financially secure, but don't want to put a lot of money into a second home so the park model concept gives them a good environment at a reasonable cost.

"The park model we build will retail about $50,000. By the time the buyer gets it to a resort, adds an Arizona room and makes site improvements, he's looking at a price in the neighborhood of $70,000 to $75,000. That sounds like a lot of money in comparison to a trailer, but in comparison to a permanent vacation home, its half the cost they would have to pay to get a home in a resort community.

"A park trailer is a good value. The main reason people buy park models is, number one, the cost is reasonable. Number two reason people buy park trailers is for the camaraderie with neighbors and friends as well as activity programs at the resort.

"I also believe that if we're going to attract senior citizens in the future we're going to have to give them what they want.

"I hate to say it but as an industry we don't do a very good job of promoting the park trailer lifestyle. I believe we need some kind of promotional program, similar to the RV industry's Go-RVing program, which sells a lifestyle of the park model people. I think we're missing the boat on selling the park model environment."

After more than 40 years in the industry Dick Porter remains passionate about the industry and the contributions he is still able to make. Although he never said it, it is apparent to anyone who talks to Dick Porter that he still enjoys a challenge. However, he admits that if he were younger he might approach business a little differently.

He said, "I might have looked at it differently 30-40 years ago, but right now we're not really into trying to build an empire. Basically, we're in it for lifestyle as much as we are for the financial gains. We want to stay active and make some bucks, which is a part of the rewards for putting out your efforts. So if we can find a niche in the business that's being overlooked that's a need we want to fill. And I think, generally speaking, the future of park models is very bright."

If retirement means enjoying the rewards of a lifetime of commitment and hard work, then Dick Porter's retirement, while untraditional, meets the criteria for a happy retirement. www.parkwesthomes.com

RVN