Woodland Park to Triple Production Capability 
Due to Demand for Park Trailers

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Strong demand for recreational park trailers has prompted Woodland Park, Inc. to build a new manufacturing plant that will enable the 21-year-old Middlebury company to triple its production capability. “All of our dealers, from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest and Canada, are experiencing strong sales, and we’ve reached the point where we have to expand if we want to grow our business,” said Ernie Yoder, Woodland Park’s owner.

Woodland Park’s sales are up significantly this year, and Yoder sees no letup in demand. Consumers, he said, are increasingly purchasing park trailers for use as weekend retreats or summer vacation homes, while campground operators buy them for use as rental units to accommodate camping enthusiasts who don’t have an RV.

Yoder said the company expects to complete its new 47,500 square-foot plant by March of 2005, while gradually doubling its workforce to 100. The new plant will be built directly behind Woodland Park’s existing 26,000-square foot factory, located at 111 Crystal Heights Boulevard.

“This expansion will enable us to triple our production capability,” Yoder said, adding that many of the new hires will be made before the new plant is completed so that they can be trained in advance by Woodland Park’s existing employees. “We want to be able to hit the ground running as soon as the new plant comes online,” Yoder said.

Founded in 1983, Woodland Park manufactures high-end recreational park trailers, including custom units.

FRVTA Moves to New Office

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As of Tuesday, August 24 the Florida RV Trade Association has moved into a new office. The new address and phone numbers are as follows:

Florida RV Trade Association 10510 Gibsonton Drive Riverview, Florida 33569 Phone: (813) 741-0488 Fax: (813) 741-0688 Toll Free: (800) 330-7882

“The new office will provide us with more space and moves us out of an office that had limited parking spaces,” said FRVTA Executive Director Lance Wilson. “We also now have an additional 2 acres that we will plan on developing into a custom designed office where we will be able to house all our show materials and our show trailer.”

Phillips Industries Identifies Top 10 Cures for Corrosion

Phillips Industries is leading the effort to reduce the affects of corrosion on vehicles caused by harsh chemicals and temperature extremes. The company has produced a poster itemizing specific practices that, when done consistently, decrease the accumulated costs associated with corrosion to fleet equipment. These practices are especially important during winter weather operations. To obtain a copy of this useful poster, contact your authorized Phillips distributor, or call 1-800-597-7757. To learn more about the costly affects of corrosion and how Phillips Industries is addressing the #1 problem facing the transportation industry today, visit www.phillipsind.com.

Stewart Park Homes Announces New Partnership and Expansion

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Stewart Park Homes has announced a new partnership with Cross Holdings, LLC. Stewart Park Homes has sold a portion of the company to Cross Holdings for an undisclosed amount. The partnership with Cross Holdings will allow Stewart Park Homes to capitalize on growth trends in the industry as a whole, and will position Stewart Park Homes as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation.

Following the completion of a record setting month, Stewart Park Homes has announced its plans to expand its workforce to 150 total employees and increase its production. They have also announced the possibility that they will open a second production facility. The Thomasville, Georgia-based manufacturing company has continued to encounter unprecedented demand for their park model homes throughout the 2004 year.

Based on third quarter sales for 2003, Stewart Park Homes has posted a 400% increase over last year, and has announced that their production quota is already full for the fourth quarter of this year. This represents pending orders totaling more than 100 park homes. Based on this increased demand, the company will be hiring for all positions immediately.

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Lucas Stewart, the President of Stewart Park Homes, was quoted as saying, “I am extremely excited about the growth that our company is experiencing, and the demand that we have seen for our park models. Stewart Park Homes is ready to expand, and we are planning to use this opportunity to branch into new markets such as panelized housing.”

Stewart also felt moved to thank his employees: “It was the employees of this company that made us successful. Their hard work and dedication is what got us to this point, and it is that spirit that will continue to grow this company.” Stewart Park Homes produces all types of park model homes including log cabins, vinyl units, and stucco park models. To learn more about the company, visit their website at www.stewartparkhomes.com. Stewart Park Homes is a core member of the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA). Each park model constructed by Stewart Park Homes meets the ANSI 119.5 standard for park model construction, a standard that the RPTIA actively supports.

Tailgater Vehicle Brings Comforts of Home to the Game 

Sure it’s possible to enjoy an OSU football game without a scarlet and gray 35-foot motor coach with a horn that plays the OSU fight song, but a “Buckeye Bus,” converted by Grove-City-based Creative Mobile Interiors, certainly takes team spirit to a whole new level.

Creative Mobile Interiors, (CMI), recently delivered a tailgater vehicle to Sean Dorston of Minster, Ohio. The vehicle, a school bus in a former life, was converted to seat 18 passengers on leather and ultraleather scarlet and gray upholstered recliners and sofas. There’s a 27-inch flatscreen television in the front of the unit and a 500-watt stereo, to make sure no one misses any sights or sounds of the action. The vehicle also includes a large 12-volt cooler, microwave, DVD/VCR/CD player and on-board lavatory. Brutus Buckeye graces the exterior, which naturally carries out the OSU-themed scheme.

“The word ‘fan’ comes from ‘fanatic,’ and that’s what we’ve found OSU fans to be when it comes to outfitting tailgater vehicles” said CMI President Owen Connaughton. “They go for big screen TVs, serious stereo sound, amenities for hospitality and as much team paraphernalia as they can get their hands on.” Here’s hoping the Buckeye season provides as sweet a ride as this latest “Buckeye Bus.”

CMI was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in two plants totaling, 14,000 square feet in Grove City, Ohio. The company specializes in converting motor coaches, vans, trailers and mini-coaches into luxury, commercial and specialty vehicles outfitted with custom top-of-the-line amenities and electronics. CMI can be reached at (614) 539-4600, or at www.creativemobileinteriors. com.

Steve Plemmons Acquires Complete Ownership 
of Bill Plemmons RV World

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In a planned buyout move, Steve Plemmons has purchased full ownership of one of the largest RV dealerships in the southeastern United States -- Bill Plemmons RV World. Previously, he and his brother, Jeff Plemmons, shared the business as partners.

“We’re back on track for 15% growth this year, and my team (who, I might add, is considered by many to be the best in the industry) and I intend to keep it that way,” Steve Plemmons said. “This is an exciting time for our sales, parts, F&I, and service departments. The buyout has created a new spark for all of us, re-energizing our vision. Already we have 68 employees and 50 overnight RV hook-up spots. We’re utilizing every inch of our 16 acre lot on University Parkway. About three years ago we expanded our physical site by four acres and I’m looking at expanding it again.

“My two to five year goal is to move Bill Plemmons RV World onto a 46 acre property I’ve already purchased. Our vision as a team is to be the best of the best. Plans are already underway for a larger and better RV sales and service facility with more service bays and technicians, plus another RV related store (for example, a Harley Davidson or four wheelers shop). I also want to build a full-fledged 11-acre campground and rally sight with more overnight hook-ups and a play ground with swing sets and other play equipment. We want to serve as a fuel stop, a place to stock up on accessories, and a place to eat, camp-out, and be a launch pad for sightseeing around the local area.”

Bill Toy Named National Wholesale Director of 
Sales at El Monte RV

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El Monte RV, one of America’s leading motorhome and RV rental and sales companies, recently hired William Toy as its national wholesale director of sales.

In this position, Toy will be responsible for managing relationships with El Monte RV’s wholesale dealer network, called the “Used RV Factory.” In addition to joining El Monte RV, Toy continues to be an independent sales, marketing and operations consultant for some of the top companies in the RV industry. His experience also includes 27 years with Fleetwood Enterprises, serving as the director of sales and marketing.

“Exceptional customer service has always been a major focus for us, and Bill will help us carry on that tradition when it comes to sales,” said Ken Schork, president of El Monte RV. “With his incredible experience and knowledge of the industry, Bill Toy is a great asset to our team.”

National RV Holdings, Inc. Subsidiary Proposes Expansion

National RV Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NVH) has entered into an agreement to purchase approximately 74 acres in Junction City, Oregon for Country Coach, its subsidiary, for approximately $3 million. The land is to be used for future expansion of the Country Coach manufacturing facilities and is contiguous to the existing facilities. The purchase is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions.

Due to growth in sales and production volume at its Country Coach subsidiary over the past two years, the company has been exploring expansion solutions for several months. The purchase and expansion plans hinge on returning the property to be purchased to its original light industrial zone status and inclusion of this property inside the Junction City urban growth boundary.

Jayco Announces Expansion to Western U.S. 

Jayco, Inc. has announced that the Board of Directors has approved plans to expand its manufacturing facilities to the western United States. The company said it is looking for a 150,000 to 200,000 square-foot facility to manufacture travel trailers and fifth wheels and that “severral locations are under active consideration.”

In making the announcement, Derald L. Bontrager, president and chief operating officer, said that Jayco plans to begin operation in the west as early as the first quarter of 2005. “We are evaluating several locations in three western states.”

Bontrager said that Jayco’s market share growth, coupled with a record order backlog, “has placed a significant amount of pressure on our ability to provide RVs to our customers on a timely basis. For the past several months, our new order intake has outpaced our manufacturing capacity. The new western operating facility will allow us to increase our production to meet market demand and, at the same time, improve our already growing market share in the western United States.”

According to Bontrager, the planned western expansion is part of the company’s overall strategy of moving manufacturing facilities closer to the marketplace. “For the past two years, we have consolidated our Indiana production facilities into our principal complex in Middlebury. This was the first step in our strategic expansion process. The dramatic increase in retail demand for our products and our commitment to market share growth now make it necessary for us to proceed with the second phase of our long-term growth strategy,” he said.

Hadley Announces Acquisition of B&R Manufacturing