Month: March 2020

In a conference call with investment analysts following Wednesday’s (March 25) second-quarter earnings report, Winnebago Industries Inc. President and CEO Michael Happe spent the bulk of his time on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the company, suppliers, dealers, and retail demand. That was the order of the day, despite the fact that Winnebago had […]

Editor’s Note: the following analysis, authored by Bill Zhang for Harvest Hosts, examines the long-term effects on RVing from the coronavirus and the opportunities for businesses to capitalize with more people taking to the road in the post-pandemic era. Traditionally, the RV industry has been dominated by retirees and the older generation after their careers […]

Jayco Inc. is donating several units to a local health care facility and area first responders in an effort to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a press release, the South Bend Clinic has received two Seismic 4125 toy haulers from Jayco to serve as additional space for pediatric immunizations outside of the clinic […]

Patrick Industries Inc. today (March 26) provided a business and operations update regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “In order to continue to both balance production levels with customer demand and prioritize the well-being of our team members, as well as maintain compliance with mandates by certain state governments and other government agencies, we will be temporarily […]

When news broke that COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) was causing a shutdown of national forests, national parks and most state park campgrounds all across the country, it was an emotional blow to the RV and related outdoor industries. But SylvanSport CEO Tom Dempsey saw it as an opportunity to join the fight against the virus. “Coming […]

An economics professor at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business thinks the COVID-19-related shutdowns in Indiana’s RV industry will not have the same, extended economic impact as the plant closings during the 2008 recession, according to WISH TV. But they will have an immediate effect. “I think that RV sales can be hit hard […]

Polser International, based out of Izmir, Turkey, plans to open a 10,000-square-foot distribution facility in Elkhart, Ind., under its Polser USA group in May. The 40-plus-year-old manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP) and composite materials currently distributes to 70 countries worldwide and plans to aggressively market its rolled and panelized products to the RV industry, […]

Coachmen RV, a division of Forest river Inc., introduces the new Encore line of gas-powered Class A motorhomes, beginning with the 325SS model.

The RV Industry Association’s February 2020 survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments ended the month with 37,113 units, an increase of 1.9% from the 36,421 units shipped in February of 2019. Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, totaled 33,169 units for the month, an increase of 4.1% compared to last February’s total of […]

Mike Wendland, a journalist and longtime RVer who with his wife Jennifer operates the RV Lifestyle podcast and YouTube channel, provides an overview of how the RV industry is coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews include Dean Corrigal from Leisure Travel Vans, Nick Schmidt of Sunshine State RVs in Gainesville, Fla., and Mark Koep of […]