RV Industry News
|
||
| March 2004 | Volume 29 - Number 8 | |
RV Industry News | ||
|
TriMas Corporation Acquires Theodore Bargman Company
TriMas Corporation announced it has acquired Theodore Bargman Company a leading manufacturer of lighting products, electrical accessories, access doors, locks and latches for the recreational vehicle market. Financial terms were not disclosed. Albion, IN-based Bargman was part of the Dana Towing Systems divestiture of Tekonsha, a leading manufacturer and supplier of proportional brake controls that was acquired by TriMas in January, 2003. Bargman will be immediately earnings accretive to TriMas. Bargman’s estimated annual sales for the twelve months ended December 2003 were $12.8 million. The company, which most recently was controlled by a private equity firm, The Riverside Company, will be integrated into TriMas‚ Cequent Transportation Accessories Group. “We are very pleased to complete this acquisition,” said Grant H. Beard, president and chief executive officer of TriMas. “Bargman represents yet another tremendous opportunity for TriMas to strengthen its presence in the transportation accessories and cargo management space, and specifically bolster Cequent’s position in the RV market.” “Cequent’s vision is to be a global leader in transportation accessories and cargo management solutions, and this acquisition reflects our commitment to that vision,” said Scott Hazlett, president of Cequent. “Bargman brings lighting product and strong brand recognition in the RV market, which is a wonderful complement to the current Cequent family of brands, and a much broader value proposition for our customers.” Bargman was founded in Detroit in the 1930s by Theodore and Mina Bargman. The company’s products include electrical accessories, exterior lights, interior lights, license plate lights and brackets, porch and utility lights, assist bars, door locks and latches, and access doors for RV manufacturers and the RV aftermarket. Plymouth, MI-based Cequent, a TriMas company, is an operating group that is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of accessories for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, recreational vehicles, passenger cars and trailers of all types. Products include towing and hitch systems, trailer components and accessories, and electrical, brake, cargocarrying and rack systems. The group consists of five operating units: Cequent Towing Products, Cequent Trailer Products, Cequent Consumer Products, Cequent Electrical Products and Cequent Australia. Cequent draws upon a 75-year-old heritage of towing and trailer brands including Draw-Tite®, Reese®, Hidden Hitch®, ROLA®, Fulton®, Wesbar®, Bull Dog®, Tekonsha® and Highland, The Pro’s Brand! Cequent employs approximately 2,070 associates. Coachmen and Coleman Enter Into Long-Term Licensing Agreement The Coachmen RV Group of Coachmen Industries, Inc. (NYSE: COA) announced that it has entered into a long-term exclusive licensing agreement with The Coleman Company, Inc. to design, produce and market a full line of new Coleman® brand recreational vehicles. Michael R. Terlep, President of the Coachmen RV Group, said “Under this agreement, Coachmen® will be working closely with Coleman to develop a comprehensive new line of innovative recreational vehicles specifically targeted to appeal to active outdoor enthusiasts who have looked to Coleman for quality recreational products for over 100 years. “The initial product offerings will be a line of camping trailers, which we will launch this summer,” Terlep continued, “followed by travel trailers, scheduled for a fall 2004 introduction, and then a line of sport utility trailers planned for early next year. A separate dealer body will be developed for the exciting new ‘Coleman® by Coachmen®’ recreational vehicles.” Bill Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Coleman Company, commented, “After an extensive search for a new marketing partner, Coleman is very pleased to be joining forces with Coachmen, because their proven values of integrity, commitment to quality and customer satisfaction are so consistent with our own. Coleman is excited about continuing its legacy as the strongest brand in the camping trailer market and expanding into new RV products with Coachmen. This partnership allows the Coleman consumer to stay with a Coleman product throughout their entire RV life cycle.” “Coachmen has long been known as the recreational vehicle ‘Leader to the Great Outdoors™’, just as Coleman is widely recognized as the ‘Greatest Name in the Great Outdoors™,’" added Claire C. Skinner, Coachmen Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The Coachmen® and Coleman® brands are both powerful in their own right, and combining our respective experience to develop innovative products for outdoor enthusiasts makes this a perfect alliance between two fine companies.” Coachmen Industries, Inc., is now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Court Permanently Enjoins Fleetwood From Using Coleman Trademarks In Any Manner Rules Fleetwood has no right to use the Coleman trademark or prevent Coleman from entering licensing agreement with Coachmen Industries Sanctions Fleetwood for Contempt The Coleman Company, Inc., confirmed that a Kansas District Court ruled Friday, February 6, that neither Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., nor its subsidiary, Fleetwood Folding Trailers, Inc., have any right to use the Coleman trademark or any right to prevent The Coleman Company, Inc., from using or licensing others the right to use the Coleman name and trademark on recreational vehicles. The Court also permanently enjoined Fleetwood Folding Trailers from ever using Coleman's name and trademark. Coleman recently entered into a longterm licensing agreement with Coachmen Industries, Inc., a major manufacturer of recreational vehicles, to manufacture and distribute a new line of Coleman-branded recreational vehicles. In light of the Court's decision, Fleetwood Enterprises' recent threat that it intends to file suit against Coachmen Industries, Inc., is wholly unfounded and would be a frivolous suit. Coleman is committed to the RV industry and is confident that its partnership with Coachmen will result in a broader line of more innovative, quality RV products that will meet growing consumer demand for Coleman recreational vehicles. Coleman continues to move forward with its claims filed against Fleetwood for breach of contract, trademark infringement, and unfair competition. Coleman filed its claims to recover substantial damages it has suffered because of Fleetwood's conduct both before and after Coleman's termination of the Fleetwood license arrangement. The Court also ruled that Fleetwood Folding Trailer's continued use of Coleman's name on its website violated the court's injunction and found Fleetwood Folding Trailers in contempt of the Court's order. The Court granted Coleman its attorney's fees and imposed monetary sanctions against Fleetwood. The Coleman Company, Inc., manufactures and distributes products for camping, backpacking, tailgating, backyard grilling and other outdoor leisure-time activities. Its products are distributed in the United States, Canada and more than 100 countries worldwide. Coleman, based in Wichita, KS, for more than 100 years, is a subsidiary of American Household, Inc. Lazydays’ $97 Million In January Is Highest Ever Lazydays RV SuperCenter, the number one RV dealer in the world, delivered 1,075 units in January and exceeded $97,000,000 in total revenue during its 2004 SuperSale and RV Show. This was the single best month in the entire 27-year history of the dealership. El Monte RV Taps Fleetwood to Meet Demand for Rentals Fleetwood RV has announced it will produce El Monte RV’s, one of the nation’s leading RV rental companies, largest order in 2004. El Monte’s order of 410 Class A and Class C motor homes—which will generate approximately $21 million in sales revenue in the April quarter for Fleetwood RV— comes in response to increased demand for RV rentals, and already represents a 52% increase over last year’s total number of orders from El Monte. "As a leading supplier of RV rentals, our main goals are to serve customer demands and expand our business," said Ken Schork, Owner and President of El Monte RV. "We choose to work with Fleetwood RV because they offer innovative and superior motor homes that retain a high resale value after repeated use." "Fleetwood is committed to supplying the rental industry with stylish, high quality, and functional motor homes," said Chris Braun, Senior Vice President of Fleetwood RV. "We are looking forward to filling more orders as the industry continues to grow." According to figures compiled by the U.S. Census of Retail Trade, the RV rental business is a $191 million industry and growing. In addition to the rise in popularity domestically, the rental industry has also seen a boost in RV rentals by international visitors to the U.S. El Monte RV expects to have increased international rental business of more than 50% in 2004, and expects that growth to continue while the Euro remains stronger than the dollar. "RV travel in the U.S. has become more affordable and increasingly popular among Europeans," said Joe Laing, Director of Marketing for El Monte RV. "The quality of Fleetwood’s innovative RV products will help us to satisfy this group’s high standards for service and value." Watts RV Center Named World’s Number One Jayco Dealer Jayco, Inc. has announced that Watts RV Center, Kent, Washington, was its number one volume dealer for the 2003 model year. This is the third consecutive year the dealership has achieved this milestone. Watts RV Center celebrated its fifteenth year as a Jayco dealer in 2003. Dan and Donna Watts, and other members of the Watts RV family and staff, accepted the award during Jayco’s annual dealer incentive trip. Thompson & Sons Trailer Sales Receives Jayco Founders Award Jayco, Inc. has named Thompson & Sons Trailer Sales, Davenport, Iowa recipient of the company’s annual Founder’s Award. The award is presented to a Jayco dealer whose ownership and management consistently reflect a dedication to outstanding sales and customer support, and which most embodies the spirit of the founders of Jayco. Jim and Darlene Thompson, retired second- generation owners of the dealership, accepted the award on behalf of the dealership. Five Thompson children are now the third-generation owners. RV Learning Center and RV Safety Education Foundation Team Up to Distribute Revised RV Weight & Tire Safety Handbook The RVDA Education Foundation's RV Learning Center and The RV Safety Education Foundation have teamed up to revise and distribute a new edition of the RV Weight & Tire Safety Handbook. Written by RV safety expert John Anderson, the 90-page handbook is divided into six sections covering RV weight definitions, tire care, explanations of hitches and ratings, and much more. "This important handbook is an ideal reference manual for service advisors, technicians, salespeople, and others at the dealership who need to provide their customers with accurate weight and tire care information," said RVDA Education Foundation Chairman Rick Horsey. "The RV Learning Center is pleased to work with the RV Safety Education Foundation to provide this important service to the industry and consumers." The RV Learning Center is underwriting production costs of the handbook, which is distributed to technicians participating in the RVIA Trouble Shooter Clinics. The handbook is also available for $24.95 through the RV Learning Center. Visit www.rvda.org or www.rvlearningcenter.com for a publications order form or call the RVDA member services hotline. Home & Park Celebrates 500 Days/500,000 Hours with No Lost Time Injuries On February 4th, Home & Park Motorhomes achieved 500 days and on February 10th, 500,000 hours without a lost time injury. Health and safety are major initiatives at North America’s leading camper van manufacturer. On February 11th, the company had a series of celebrations. The day was marked by a number of appreciation activities. The company treated employees to beverages and croissants during the morning break followed by a submarine luncheon. At the afternoon break, employees were treated to a special cake and beverages. At the cake cutting, Jeff Hanemaayer, Chairman, stated, "This is another major accomplishment and one that every employee should take tremendous pride in achieving. Not only do we have a world class facility, we have world class employees who have fostered a safe and healthy environment. To place this into context, one worker would have to work over 260 years without a lost time injury to achieve the same feat." At the end of the workday, each employee was presented with a specially designed shirt and commemorative pocketknife marking this special occasion. RVN
|
