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A new travel trailer and fifth wheel manufacturer is being formed in Syracuse, IN, by a group of industry veterans. The company, formed in June of 2002, has over 50 dealers signed with the goal of beginning production and deliveries sometime in August. Ameri-Camp is, in July, in the prototype and certification stage with a variety of family type units. Each member of the management team of Ameri-Camp has extensive experience led by principal owner and 35 year industry veteran Pete Recchio. Director of Manufacturing, Mel Yutzy; Director of Purchasing, Carl Slabaugh; Chief Engineer, Mark Dunithan; Director of Sales and Marketing, Walt Mason; and Controller/CPA Scott Wenger each have experience with a variety of industry manufacturers including, Carriage, Fleetwood, Forest River, Georgie Boy, Holiday Rambler, and Jayco. They have recruited a predominantly Amish work force with considerable industry experience. The plan is to have a full work force of 50 employees in August with 150 one year from now.

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Recchio described the new organization as like a three legged milking stool. If any one of the legs is too short or too weak, the stool is wobbly or just falls over. He said that it will take an equal part of experienced, dedicated and loyal employees, helpful and

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dependable quality suppliers, and a great, customer service oriented, dealer body for the company to succeed. He has been overwhelmed, so far, by the support from all parts of his tripod. He said that he recognizes that if the company fails, it will be because of his failure - but when it succeeds, it will be because of efforts of the total team that has been brought together.

Ameri-Camp will produce what Recchio describes as upper-edge, entry-level travel trailers and fifth-wheel units with top quality fit and finish. "We used the ‘camp’ in our name because we think that the American family, the folks using the product, still wants to go camping," Recchio said.

"We want a long-term agreement with our dealers in exchange for which we will agree not to clone another product sold down the street, to give them a broad market area, and not to split our product line and have another dealer down the road also selling some of our models, that is confusing to the customer" said Recchio.

Ameri-Camp, 72440 State Road 13, PO Box 249, Syracuse, IN 46567