Winnebago's management team reassured their dealers at the company's annual Dealer Days 1996 in Las Vegas that the company will remain strong despite the recent death of founder John K. Hanson. In his opening remarks to dealers, Fred Dohrmann, CEO, Winnebago, Industries, Inc., said, "1996 will go down in Winnebago Industries' history as the year we lost John K. Hanson."

Dohrmann also told dealers, "We've lost John K. With your help, we'll continue to build on his legacy of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sales success as we go forward into the next century. The management team is the same team that's been in place since 1993 when John K. stepped down from the daily task of running the company. This is the team that brought the company back to profitability over the last three years and produced record revenues in the first nine months of this year.

"With the same management team, dealer and vendor partners, and employees, the only thing that's changed is that John K's office is empty now, and I've lost a dear friend."

Ed Barker, controller and chief financial officer, added, "I want to assure you that, not only is Winnebago Industries going to go on, we're going on to reach new heights in revenues and profits. Financially, nothing much has changed - including John K's holdings in the corporation."

Barker pointed out that at the time of his death, John K. and Luise's holdings in the company amounted to approximately 42.5% of the company's outstanding stock. He said, "Luise and her family have expressed no intention of selling the Hanson shares and remain committed to the long term vision John K. had for the company. So, not much has changed with the ownership of the company or with its roots, which are still firmly planted in the community of Forest City, Iowa.

"While they recognize the tremendous impact John K. had on this company -- and this industry -- the investment world looks at the big picture. How have we managed the company over the last few quarters, and what is the outlook for the next few quarters.

"The number one priority of the management group is maintaining the solid and stable financial performance of this company on a long term basis. Our number two priority is maintaining Winnebago Industries' position as a reliable employer and a vital member of our community."

RV News has learned that The Dometic Corporation plans to close it's Mishawaka, IN, manufacturing facility in November. Earlier this year, Dometic closed another Mishawaka plant also. According to Dometic, the problem is the scarcity of a qualified labor force in the northern Indiana area. Dometic said that in order to meet the growing demands for its products, the company has had to seek alternative manufacturing methods and has been subcontracting the work.

With the latest closure announcement, Dometic plans to subcontract to companies in the southern U.S., the West and some assembly will take place in Mexico.

A spokesperson for the company said, "This is the only way we can effectively and efficiently service and supply our customers."

Campground operators are invited to join the National Association of RV Parks & Camp-grounds (ARVC) in celebrating its 30th Anniversary at the 1996 Convention & Expo in Nashville, November 6-9. The convention is being held in the Renaissance Nashville Hotel and Nashville Convention Center -- with a crowd seven times the size of the one assembled at the first national campground convention held three decades ago in Harrisburg, PA.

At the opening ceremonies of the '96 Convention ARVC will pay tribute to the group of New England campground operators who laid the foundation for a national campground association especially for campground owners. The place was the Springfield Camping Show in Massachusetts. The year was 1966. The outcome was 65 national members and 16 supporting state campground associations that has evolved into today's 2898 campground members and 27 affiliated state associations.

Tourism-Mexico's number one industry-offers opportunities for related franchise industries such as campgrounds. This fact led Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Inc. to the decision to launch an aggressive program to develop KOA Kampgrounds in Mexico.

Arthur Peterson, KOA Inc. president and CEO, said, "The world-wide interest in outdoor recreation has been experiencing steady growth, and camping has followed this trend as an ever-increasing part of tourism trade in many nations. KOA is keeping up with this trend by introducing our quality KOA Kampgrounds in new markets. Most recently, KOA signed a licensing agreement to form KOA Japan Inc. KOA's Japanese venture is proceeding extremely well, and we expect KOA-style camping to catch on quickly in Mexico, as well."

One of the highlights of this year's RV Aftermarket Association (WDA) Executive Conference being held later this month in Chandler, AZ, is a presentation on the Internet by Web Site Management, Inc. (WSM). WSM provides Internet services to RV industry companies that want to use the Internet as part of their marketing strategies. WSM also operates RV America On Line, an Internet hosting service for RV industry companies.

The presentation will be made by Internet authority Don Magary, who is president of WSM and webmaster for RV America On Line. The presentation will focus on how RV suppliers and distributors can use the Internet as part of their marketing strategies.

The RV Aftermarket Association Executive Conference is scheduled for the San Marcos Sheraton Hotel in Chandler, AZ, October 18 - 24. For more information on the executive conference contact the RV Aftermarket Association (WDA) at (312) 553-0300.

RVIA has signed separate agreements with Chrysler, Ford and Spartan Motors to establish a mandatory arbitration process to resolve certain warranty related complaints concerning motorhome and conversion vehicle chassis.

Similar agreements were signed earlier this year with General Motors Corp. and Freightliner Chassis Corp.

RVIA president Dave Humphreys said, "These agreements are evidence of the RV industry's willingness to address consumer product complaints in a timely and orderly manner. By agreeing to abide by arbitration, RVIA members, Chrysler, Ford, Freightliner, General Motors and Spartan have demonstrated their commitment to keeping the RV consumer happy."

Each of the agreements are in the process of being executed by individual RVIA members that manufacture motorhomes and/or conversion vehicles.

RVIA said, although product disputes between motorhome and chassis manufacturers are infrequent, the arbitration process will help solve consumer complaints efficiently and effectively. Under terms of the agreement, if a motorhome and chassis manufacturer cannot resolve a consumer complaint covered by a state lemon law, the motorhome or chassis manufacturer may invoke the arbitration process. The industry arbitration process only involves the manufacturers and cannot be initiated by consumers.

Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., said it bought 2,400,000 shares of its common stock from John Crean, its chairman and founder.

The shares were purchased at a price of $27-7/8 per share. Prior to this announcement, the company had about 37.9 million shares of common stock. With the sale by Crean, the outstanding shares will be reduced to about 35.5 million.

The shares sold represent about 30% of Crean's holdings, which reduces his ownership position to about 15.8% of the outstanding shares.

DeWalt's RV, Inc., Easton, PA, led a list of ten RV dealerships honored with 1996 Outstanding Customer Satisfaction Awards from Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company. The awards were based on responses from a mail survey to new Coachmen RV owners.

The "Top Ten" named for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction included DeWalts RV, Easton, PA; Holiday on Wheels, Panama City, FL; Delmarva RV Center, Harrington, DE; Midstate RV Center, Byron, GA; Northwood's RV Country, Mt. Morris, MI; Carpenter's Campers, Pensacola. FL: Giant Recreation World of Brevard, Cocoa, FL; Colfax Country RV Sales, Colfax, NC; Gookin Ford Sales, Story City, IA; and Silver City Ford, Raynham, MA.

According to Mike Terlep, executive vice president and general manager, Coachmen RV-Indiana, "Owners were asked about the quality of service, salesmen and their knowledge of the product, and overall customer attitude. We are proud to be able to recognize these dealers for their outstanding customer service attitude."

Applied Biochemists has purchased the Britex RV cleaning products lines from Brogdex Co. The line includes Britex brushes, handles and storage bags. Mike Monahan, who has managed the RV cleaning line for the past 17 years will remain with Brogdex and has been assigned to the position of international sales manager for the company's post harvest fresh fruit and vegetable wax coatings, cleaners and equipment.

Monahan told RV News, "Having worked with the Britex line for the past 11 years I am glad to see that it will continue in the capable hands of Applied Biochemists. Over this period of time I made a lot of new friends in the RV industry which I will miss."

Monahan said that future inquires about the Britex line should be directed to Spencer Baughman, national sales manager, Applied Biochemists, 9485 A Customhouse Plaza, San Diego, CA 92173. (800) 258 - 4442.

Lee's RV City held a groundbreaking ceremony recently and is planning to build a new 35,000 sq. ft. recreational vehicle dealership, to be located at N. 13111 Broadway Extension, near Edmond, OK. The new RV superstore will be more than triple the size of the current Midwest City location and will initially employ 40-50 people. The state-of-the-art RV dealership will have a large indoor showroom, huge parts and accessory store, and 16 drive-thru service bays on 12 acres.

Lee's RV City has been in business for over 25 years. The current owner, Lee Litchfield, purchased the fledgling dealership 18 years ago during the energy crisis. Litchfield stated that the Midwest City location will remain open in order to serve customers in the south and eastern sections of the metro area. Construction on the location near Edmond will begin immediately on the 12-acre tract and should be completed in January, 1997.

G.E.T. Sales, an RV aftermarket parts and accessories retailer, has launched its web site on the Internet. G.E.T. Sales is a source for Carefree of Colorado repair and replacement parts as well as a variety of other useful products for the RVer such as folding camping chairs, inverters, and ladders.

G.E.T. Sales selected RV America On Line, the home of the RV industry on the Internet, to host its new web site. You can find G.E.T. Sales on the Internet at: http://www.rvamerica.com/getsales/

This year's RVIA Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville will mark a very special anniversary for Marlene Sine and Associates. Marlene is a manufacturers agent started in business 20 years ago.

Marlene and her employees will be hosting a reception at the Louisville show this year. The reception will be held in the VIP lounge at the Kentucky Fair and Convention Center on Tuesday, December 3, 1996, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The principals of RV Electronics, Inc., were issued patent number 5,555,483 for their line of automatic power line monitors recently. The product known as "The Power Line Monitor, " or PLM, has been sold to the RV & Marine market since 1993. The PLM is designed to monitor the incoming voltage to the RV or boat and shut power off if there is high voltage, low voltage, voltage surges or voltage spikes eliminating these dangerous voltage conditions that can damage electrical and electronic appliances.

Cruise America Announces Higher Revenues And Record Earnings For First Quarter

Cruise America, Inc. (AMEX: RVR), reported improved revenues and record earnings for the first quarter of its 1997 fiscal year.

For the three-month period ended July 31, 1996, the company's net income increased 19% to a record $6,236,000 ($1.05 per share), compared with net income of $5,239,000 ($0.92 per share) in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Pretax earnings rose 32.4% to $9,046,000 in the first quarter of 1996, compared with $6,833,000 a year earlier. Total revenues increased to approximately $31.0 million in the first quarter of FY 1997, versus $28.6 million in the prior-year period. The 8.5% improvement in total revenues was comprised of a 24.5% gain in recreational vehicle rental revenues, which approximated $24.2 million (vs. $19.4 million) and a 25.3% decrease in sales of new and used vehicles ($6.8 million vs. $9.1 million).

RecTek Manufacturing, Inc., has moved its web site to RV America On Line. RecTek manufactures and markets Handi-Rails, an aftermarket product that attaches to an RV to aid owners in getting up the steps of the RV.

A spokesperson for RecTek said they are excited about being on RV America. After one weekend on RV America the company reported it had more leads than they had in the previous six months on another server.

RV America is a web site that hosts RV industry companies on the Internet.

RecTek's Internet address is: http://www.rvamerica.com/rectek/

Effective immediately, RBW will discontinue its 12K fifth wheel hitch, (models UHS-85-7 & UHS-85-7S) and is reducing the price on their 15K fifth wheel hitch, (models UHS-88-15 & UHS-88-15-S). According to RBW, this change will allow the company to maintain a more complete stocking inventory, while their distributors and dealers will be more efficient with less inventory and greater market coverage.

Woodall Publications Corporation, an RV and camping publisher for more than 60 years, recently purchased Northeast Outdoors, a monthly RV and camping publication serving the Northeast since 1968. Woodall's will begin sales and production of Northeast Outdoors with the October issue.

Woodall's intends to keep the name and format of this publication the same, but will move all operations to Woodall offices in Greenville, MI and Lake Forest, IL.

RVIA has scheduled four Trouble Shooter Clinics to assist RV dealerships in providing continuing education for their RV service technicians.

Bruce Hopkins, RVIA's vice president of standards, said "These clinics offer a terrific business opportunity for RV dealerships while helping technicians sharpen their skills. By employing well-trained, competent technicians, dealers are able to improve customer satisfaction and their bottom line."

The schedule for the four upcoming Trouble Shooter Clinics is as follows: Dallas, TX., Nov. 4-8, 1996; Sacramento, CA, Jan. 13-17, 1997; Harrisburg, PA, Feb. 10-14, 1997; and Elkhart, IN, March 10-14, 1997.

The registration fee for each clinic is $250 per person. For a free brochure listing complete information on Trouble Shooter Clinics, contact RVIA at (703) 620-6003, ext. 355.

On the Saturday following each Trouble Shooter Clinic, RVDA and RVIA will conduct RV service technician certification testing. Testing is independent from the clinic and requires separate registration. Space for the exam is limited. Contact RVDA at (800) 336-0355 to register or for more information on the RVDA/RVIA RV Service Technician Certification Program.

When the Keller Marine & RV dealer show gets under way on October 30 and 31, it will mark the 38th consecutive year for the show. The first show was hold in 1958 in the Keller warehouse. This year's show will be held in the newly renovated Raddison Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill, PA. Jonas Lantz, marketing director, said, "Last years' show was our best ever with over 200 Marine & RV dealer's in attendance. We fully expect this year's show to be another record setter. We have 100 vendors already committed and we see about a 10 percent increase in dealer attendance this year.

The show starts at 5:00 p.m. on the 30th with a full evening program ending around 10:00 p.m. The next day the show opens at 9:00 am and runs to 4:00 PM. For more information on the Keller show contact Jonas Lantz at (717)-374-8169.

The Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) recently held the drawing for manufacturers display space for the 12th Annual 1997 Florida RV Supershow. At the drawing held in the FRVTA office, manufacturers drew a new record of over 500,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Industry Day at the Supershow will be on Tuesday, January 14. All industry personnel are welcome to attend. The day includes a free continental breakfast, lunch and barbecue dinner and cocktail party. Public Days run Wednesday, January 15 through Sunday, January 19. The Supershow will again be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds In Tampa.

Dan Gamel's Modesto RV Center and Dan Gamel's Fresno RV Center were honored recently when Fleetwood Enterprises named them the #1 Prowler and #1 Savanna dealers, respectively, in North America for 1996.

Fleetwood ended its fourth quarter and 1996 model year on July 28, 1996, with a total market share in the travel trailer and fifth wheel market of 24.7%.

Vantec, an aftermarket supplier of 12vdc to 120vac inverters and other products has joined RV America On Line, an Internet hosting service for companies in the RV industry. Vantec launched its web site in August and is affiliated with G.E.T. Sales, a Phoenix, AZ, aftermarket retailer, that is also on RV America's host site. Visitors who want to purchase one of Vantec's products can simply click a button and go to the G.E.T. Sales on line order form.

Vantec's Internet address is: http://www.rvamerica.com/vantec/

Environmental Resource Institute (ERI) has announced an expanded multimedia, environmental management system designed for motor vehicle maintenance and refueling operations. It provides environmental management and regulatory guidance and is designed for organization-wide use.

The newest addition to this environmental management system is a personal access card to access the World Wide Web and fax-on-demand news and information.

The environmental management system, which provides complete training, reference, current news and telecommunication technology in one package, includes:

A 330-page Environmental Guidebook for environmental coordinators. Covers all waste, wastewater and air issues and provides a directory of state and federal EPA, OSHA and fire agencies. Special "OSHA in the Shop" section.

• Update Service for the Environmental Guidebook.
• A 60-page EnviroMonvator~ a training and awareness tool for senior management and
• facility managers.
• A 30-page EnviroMotivator 11, a training and awareness tool for technicians and shop
• personnel.
• A 50-page environmental Compliance Audit System (also available on diskette).
• A l-year subscription to the Enviroline newsletter.
• Personal access card to access the World Wide Web and fax-on-demand news and information.

Organizations may purchase the complete program for only $495 with additional programs at discounted prices. Organizations nationwide are currently using ERI's environmental management system at over 18,000 locations including American, European and Japanese automakers, trucking and transportation operations; petroleum marketing, military and postal services; and federal, city, county and state fleet operations.

The environmental management system may also be supplemented with "train-the-trainer" workshops called The EnviroMotive Express and with private training sessions.

Contact Judy Long at Environmental Resource Institute, 419-422-6063, (FAX 419-422-1832; e-mail enviroline@aol.com) or write ERI, P.O. Box 854, Findlay, OH 45839-0854.

One hundred twenty Winnebago and Itasca dealerships were saluted as winners of Winnebago Industries' Circle of Excellence Award at the honors banquet during the company's Dealer Days last month in Las Vegas.

Each dealer was presented a bronze sculpture, "Eagle Poised For Flight," mounted on a solid walnut base which bore an engraved metal plaque showing the dealership's name, the 1996 model year, a brief explanation of the award and any other years the dealership has won the award.

During the awards banquet at Dealer Days, many dealers were honored for their retail sales achievements. The top dealers in retail sales honored were:

• Top Winnebago Industries Dealer: La Mesa RV Center, Inc., La Mesa, CA
• Top Winnebago Dealer: Poulsbo RV, Inc., Poulsbo, WA
• Top Itasca Dealer: La Mesa RV Center, La Mesa, CA
• Top Luxor Dealer: Saddleback RV Sales & Service, Inc., Irvine, CA
• Top Rialta Dealer: La Mesa RV Center, Inc., La Mesa, CA

DirecTV, Inc. announced that Don Shula, former coach in National Football League, has been named as a spokesman for its DirecTV ™ direct broadcast satellite service. DirecTV, the largest provider of professional and collegiate sports programming in the country, offers more than 175 channels of entertainment to homes equipped with a DSSO system, which features an 18-inch satellite dish. Shula will be featured in a national public relations campaign promoting the NFL Sunday Ticket™ package on DirecTV which delivers up to 13 out-of-market NFL games each Sunday during the regular season.

Bill Gorman of Gorman Planning Ltd., died at his home in Virginia Beach in August. In 1994, Gorman received RVDA's James B. Summers award for his consistent and outstanding contributions to RVDA.

Flowmaster, an exhaust technology company, is looking for service centers to accommodate the RV public's exhaust needs.

Flowmaster has expanded its line of exhaust systems for various types of tow vehicles & motorhomes. Each system comes complete with mandrel bent pipes, muffler(s), heat shields and all necessary hardware for an easy installation.

According to Flowmaster, service centers that have their exhaust systems will not have to send exhaust repairs and upgrades elsewhere. For more information, call (800) 544-4761.

The RVDA Education Foundation has released a new management guide for dealers and other RV retailers interested in setting up a consignment RV rental fleet. Based on a seminar presented by Jeff Richford of Western Motorcoach, this new publication entitled, How to Operate a Successful RV Rental Program Using Consigned Vehicles, is filled with proven strategies that can help retailers manage a consignment fleet profitably.

The guide provides ideas on how to obtain consignment units and describes how consignment rentals can boost income in the sales and service departments, it also offers advice on hours of operation, advertising, and customer relations useful for any RV rental operation, whether it uses consignments or owns its own fleet of vehicles.

All RV Rental Association (RVRA) members will receive a copy at no additional charge as a member service. RVRA/RVDA members may purchase copies for $15. The non-member price is $25, To order, contact RVDA at (800) 336-0355.

Duo-Form of Michigan, Inc./Better Bath Components, is one of the largest plastics thermoforming companies in North America, according to a dollar-based ranking published recently in Plastics News. Duo-Form/Better Bath Components, an operating company of Elkhart, Indiana-based Shelter Components Corporation, primarily supplies thermoformed bath products to the Manufactured Housing and Recreational Vehicle markets.

Duo-Form/Better Bath Components ranks No.22 among thermoformers of custom and stock products in the United States, Canada and Mexico, placing it with the leaders in a fast-growing industry segment.

*This information was compiled as part of the second annual ranking of thermoformers by Plastics News, a weekly newspaper based in Akron, OH, that reports on the business of the plastics industry.

Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., a manufacturer of homes and recreational vehicles, said following a review of its Dutch Auction tender offer for its stock, it expects to purchase roughly 7.8 million shares of its common stock at $31 a share.

The tender offer expired at midnight eastern daylight time on Wednesday, July 10. Under the terms of the tender offer, the company had offered to acquire up to 11.4 million shares, or about 25% of its issued and outstanding common stock.

The exact number of shares to be purchased will be determined upon final review all tender documentation.

Bank of the West announced the nationwide expansion of its Everyday Lender RV and Marine Dealer Retail Lending program. According to the company, Everyday Lender makes Bank of the West the first bank in the United States to provide RV and marine dealers with loan processing services seven days a week.

Mark R. Beecher, senior vice president and manager of the Bank's Consumer Credit Specialty Lending Group said, "Everyday Lender was expanded nationwide because we are repeatedly receiving calls from dealers all over the country who have been referred to us by other satisfied dealer customers."

When a dealer has a buyer ready to purchase a boat or RV, the dealer can call Bank of the West any day of the week and receive a timely response to a loan request. Approved loans are funded within 24 hours of receiving the loan documents.