Month: August 2024

ELKHART, Ind. – It’s not every day that an industry icon like Forest River Inc. founder and CEO Pete Liegl announces some of his succession plans as he did Wednesday, Aug. 20, (See “Forest River Inc. Announces Management Updates”) in turning over the publicly held company’s daily steerage to three notable senior management members.

But that’s what happened when the news media was apprised of strategic changes “designed to continue Forest River’s forward trajectory and dedication to customer satisfaction” in its key markets including recreational vehicles, cargo trailers, pontoon boats, buses, vans and commercial vehicles for both the public and private sectors.

“It is with great pleasure and honor that I write this letter of planned succession,” said Liegl in also informing the company’s 14,000-plus employees of his future plans for the 28-year-old, Elkhart, Ind.-based, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. “While I don’t have any intentions of resigning as CEO, I believe that it is important to envision the future and plan for a smooth transition for the continued legacy of Forest River Inc.”

The three individuals taking on enhanced duties:

• CFO Darrel Ritchie: corporate management
• Veteran David Wright: commercial vehicles
• RV Group GM Doug Gaeddert: all RV’s

Given the potential impact of all this, Liegl agreed to answer a few RVBusiness questions over the phone yesterday regarding this whole headline-generating turn of events. Here’s some of what Liegl, a former Coachmen Industries Inc. executive, had to say:

RVBusiness: We were admittedly surprised to hear the news as were others in the industry, Pete, and found it noteworthy that you’re retaining your position at this point.

Liegl: It’s a matter of giving new responsibilities to the various people we have employed today. They’re all going to have more responsibilities and I’m going to stay on as CEO.

RVB: Okay, so perhaps the best way to describe this whole transition at this point is that you’re redistributing some of your senior corporate responsibilities?

Liegl: Exactly.

RVB: And that’s to occur exactly when?

Liegl: Immediately.

RVB: So, Pete, why this and why now?

Liegl: Because they’re younger people. They’ve got more fire in their bellies than I, and it makes sense to do it because they’re very capable individuals. You take Gaeddert for example: he’s going to have all of the RVs of Forest River, the motorized and the towables. And you take David Wright, he’s going to have the commercial and do a better job at it than I.

And then Darrel Ritchie, our chief financial officer, who’s stepping into corporate management, is going to focus on using Forest River’s money to look at potential new plans for financing dealers’ inventories, rentals, etcetera.

And, specifically we’ve got people like David Wright and Doug Gaeddert who are very competent. They can do more than what they’ve done in the past. And we’re consolidating some of our overall operations, like in Gaeddert’s area where he’ll be not only over the towables, but he’ll be over the motorized as well.

RVB: And this is a look into the future, isn’t it?

Liegl: Yes, very definitely. I guess I’ve had a good run at it, but I don’t have the get-up and go that those boys do.

RVB: For those of us who have followed Forest River for years, is there anything that you would add to this about the company’s big picture looking into the future.

Liegl: We’re just going to do more of what we’ve been doing, but hopefully better.

And, again, looking at finances, the fact of the matter is that we’ve got the money, so, I’m asking, ‘Why don’t we do our own financing for dealers?’ That’s what Darrel Richie’s looking at doing right now. Do we do short-term and long-term financing, wholesale and retail?

That’s his job. Because we’ve got the funds in the bank, we got the money, why not do it? And that’s going to be a big boost right there. And then you consolidate under Gaeddert both the towables and the motorized. I think that’s going to be a big plus. And David Wright will oversee commercial growth, and we’re getting a hell of a lot more of that including buses and everything else under that umbrella.

All three of them want to get going on that, and so, fine. They’ll do a better job than I ever thought of doing.

RVB: You’ve made some pretty bold statements lately, as has Doug Gaeddert, about Forest River’s RV market strength lately. Is that still the case?

Liegl: Yes, that is correct. We’ve been doing very well and we’re expecting more of the same going forward.

We’re making good money every month, and the future looks like more of the same. And just looking at when I have the opportunity to take the towables and the motorized and put them together under Gaeddert, that makes sense to me. And putting all of our commercial work together, that makes sense to me, too.

And we’re only getting going. We’re just starting this next phase. So, in my estimation, we’re going to be doing even better in the future.

The post Liegl: ‘Forest River’s Looking to the Future in a Big Way’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ELKHART, Ind. – Since 1996, Forest River Inc. has remained a leader of the recreational vehicle, cargo trailer, pontoon boat and commercial vehicle industries.

“Today, Forest River is proud to continue this legacy with changes to its leadership team,” stated a press release from the company.

Founder and CEO Pete Liegl announced three leadership changes designed to continue Forest River’s forward trajectory and dedication to customer satisfaction.

• Chief Financial Officer Darrel Ritchie will lead Corporate Management. Having started with Forest River in 2002, Ritchie brings deep understanding of the company and is poised to continue the Forest River commitment to excellence.
• David Wright, another 22-year expert, will assume management of Forest River’s Commercial Division, inclusive of buses, vans, trucks and cargo trailers.
• Doug Gaeddert, who has run towable divisions for 25+ years, will now oversee Forest River’s entire Recreational Vehicles Division including towables and motorized.

Pete Liegl remains CEO and will continue to lead strategic oversight of Forest River. “I believe it is important to envision the future and plan for a smooth transition for the continued legacy of Forest River, Inc.” said Liegl. “I will remain fully engaged and devote significant time to help the incoming leaders.”

The post Forest River Inc. Announces Management Updates first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

RVing in New England,” the weekly Facebook Live show hosted by the New England RV Dealers Association (NERVDA), this week discusses the prospects of campers “finding a hidden gem.”

Co-hosted by Bob Zagami and John DiPietro, tonight’s show airs at 7 p.m. ET.

The post ‘RVing in New England’ Discusses ‘Finding a Hidden Gem’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

 METTAWA, Ill., –Brunswick Corporation, (NYSE: BC) – a leader in the marine industry as well as parent company to several RV industry companies including RELiON Battery LLC, Progressive Industries, ParkPower by Marinco, and Land ‘N’ Sea Distributing – announced the following changes to its organization that are aimed at further broadening the experience of its senior leadership team. 

Aine Denari is named Executive Vice President and President, Navico Group, and Brunswick Chief Technology Officer.  Denari was previously President, Brunswick Boat Group, a role she assumed in October 2020.  During her tenure, Boat Group achieved exceptionally strong operational and financial performance and successfully navigated very dynamic market conditions. In her new and expanded role, Denari will lead the next phase of evolution of the Navico Group and be responsible for Brunswick’s technology strategy and advanced development activities, including maintaining the leadership of autonomy programs and assuming responsibility for the Boating Intelligence DesignLab at the University of Illinois.

Brenna Preisser is named Executive Vice President and President, Brunswick Boat Group, succeeding Denari.  Since January 2019, Preisser has been Executive Vice President and President, Business Acceleration, the division housing Freedom Boat Club, Boateka, and Brunswick’s financial services and related businesses. Preisser successfully led the acquisition and expansion of Freedom Boat Club from 170 locations to its current footprint of 410 locations around the world, and the creation of Boateka, Brunswick’s innovative pre-owned boat sales platform.  Preisser has held a number of executive positions at Brunswick over the past 20 years including Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Strategy Officer.  She will now be responsible for Brunswick’s portfolio of 18 leading boat brands, including Boston Whaler, Sea Ray, Bayliner, Lund, Harris, Quicksilver, and Princecraft.

Will Sangster is promoted to Senior Vice President and President, Business Acceleration, succeeding Preisser, and will be responsible for the continued growth of the exciting portfolio of businesses within the division.  Sangster was most recently President of Mercury Marine in EMEA, a position he assumed in October 2021, and prior to that he spent 14 years with Brunswick in a number of international leadership positions including as the head of Mercury Marine’s ANZP region. Sangster’s operational and international experience will be extremely valuable as Freedom Boat Club grows in international markets and further optimizes its operating model.

“Brunswick is fortunate to have an extraordinarily talented leadership team and a deep bench.  Aine, Brenna, and Will have a proven track record of success in many previous positions and I’m proud and excited to see them all take on new and expanded responsibilities,” said Dave Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation CEO.  “These moves follow the recent expansion of the role of Ryan Gwillim, Brunswick’s Chief Financial Officer, to include Chief Strategy Officer. Our talent remains a major competitive advantage and our talent development strategy includes broadening the scope and experience of our highest potential leaders at all levels of the Company.”

Denari, Preisser, and Sangster will assume their new roles immediately. Brett Dibkey who preceded Denari as President, Navico Group will leave the company at the end of the August after assisting with the transition.  We thank Brett for his leadership and many contributions to successfully integrating and restructuring the Navico Group businesses in challenging market conditions and wish him every success in his future endeavors.   

About Brunswick Corporation

Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) is home to more than 60 industry-leading brands. In the category of Marine Propulsion, these brands include, Mercury Marine, Mercury Racing, MerCruiser and Flite. Brunswick’s comprehensive collection of parts, accessories, distribution and technology brands includes Mercury Parts & Accessories, Land ‘N’ Sea, Lowrance, Simrad, B&G, Mastervolt, RELiON, Attwood and Whale. Our boat brands are some of the best known in the world, including Boston Whaler, Lund, Sea Ray, Bayliner, Harris Pontoons, Princecraft and Quicksilver. Our service, digital and shared-access businesses include Freedom Boat Club, Boateka and a range of financing, insurance and extended warranty businesses. While focused primarily on the marine industry, Brunswick also successfully leverages its portfolio of advanced technologies to deliver an exceptional suite of solutions in mobile and industrial applications. Headquartered in Mettawa, IL, Brunswick has 17,000 employees operating in 25 countries. In 2023, Brunswick was named by Forbes as a World’s Best Employer and as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek, both for the fourth consecutive year.

For more information, visit www.Brunswick.com.

The post Brunswick Corporation Announces Organizational Changes first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FOREST RIVER, Iowa – Winnebago, the flagship brand of outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer Winnebago Industries (NYSE: WGO), announced the launch of its latest campaign, “Home Is Where You Take It” under their current brand platform Go Where You Feel.

Winnebago has long enabled adventure-seekers to seek a life off the beaten path, the release continued. With their latest campaign, Winnebago sets itself apart by positioning its Backcountry Series as the optimal solution for the growing crowd of people seeking to put down — and pick up — their roots at a moment’s notice. Its RVs offer a clean, quality and functionally-focused fit and finish, making it possible to find home off the road and off the grid, elevating the experience for today’s rugged nomads.

“The campaign is a reflection of the backcountry story,” said Kunal Mehta, vice president of strategy, business development and marketing. “I am excited about what the story tells. We’re launching ‘Home Is Where You Take It’ at a time when more people are embracing the nomadic lifestyle. Our models are designed to meet the demands of today’s adventurers, ensuring they have the tools and comfort needed to explore the world.”

“Home is Where You Take It” marks a significant step for Winnebago, as it markets to the outdoor and overland consumer segments, the release continued. This new evolution is the first step towards bringing the Go Where You Feel mentality to a new segment of consumers. The campaign spotlights the Ekko, Revel and Solis Pocket, three of Winnebago’s Backcountry Series vehicles, meticulously designed for today’s explorer.

Winnebago’s highlighted models are equipped to make a home out of anywhere, despite tough terrain, challenging conditions, and miles of open road. The Ekko, Revel, and Solis Pocket are designed with specific consumers in mind, each featuring unique attributes tailored to enhance the outdoor experience so you can truly go where you feel.

• Ekko: Efficient like a camper van, spacious like a Class C. This all-wheel drive option has the capability to tackle nearly every terrain. Packed with power, ample water and a dream gear garage, the EKKO promises your adventures are properly fueled.
• Revel: Built on the all-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Revel is the ultimate adventure-ready off-road van. Boasting significant ground clearance, rugged tires and off-road lighting, this adventure van ensures you can get out there and light up the trail along the way. Paired with a meticulously designed modern interior that offers comfort and functionality, rest assured you have an epic place to crash after a full day of adventuring.
• Solis Pocket: Versatility is key with the Solis Pocket. This van favorite is comfortable in the backcountry or buzzing city streets with it’s compact size making it perfect for solo travelers, couples or even small families. With an efficient and functional layout and features like the multi-functional dinette, indoor/outdoor galley, wet bath or available pop-top sleeping, this compact camper van takes advantage of every inch of its 17′ footprint.

Instead of a vehicle-first campaign touting the features and technology of the vans, Winnebago focused on the adventurer. Opting to use real people who live the van life as talent to embody their real consumer. These influencers and 4×4 enthusiasts came from all walks of life, many with preconceived notions about the brand, and came away with a new appreciation for the Backcountry Series in their pursuit of going where they feel. Winnebago recognized the importance of providing vehicles that are not only durable, versatile, and reliable, but also exceptionally comfortable. The Ekko, Revel, and Solis Pocket represent a significant departure from the traditional image of Winnebago, often associated with large, luxurious motorhomes.

These new models are compact, rugged, and built for off-road exploration, showcasing Winnebago’s commitment to innovation and adapting to the evolving needs of the market.

Combined with its new focus on audience-first messaging, Winnebago is doubling down that home isn’t a fixed place; it isn’t just four walls, sometimes, it’s four wheels. The campaign can be viewed at Winnebago.com/winnebago-backcountry-series and Winnebago will be at Overland Expo – Mtn West in Colorado, where the brand will highlight its fleet of Backcountry vehicles.

The RVBusiness Featured Video is sponsored by CURT, a Lippert brand.

The post Winnebago Launches ‘Home Is Where You Take It’ Campaign first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – Improving fixed operations performance will be at the top of the agenda during education workshops conducted by speakers from Integrated Dealer Systems (IDS) at the RV Dealers Convention/Expo. 

The Convention/Expo will take place Nov. 11-15, 2024, at Paris Las Vegas and is sponsored by RVDA of U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center. 

At 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 14, Don Miller, senior consultant for IDS, will present “Pulse Check: Current RECT Trends and What’s Driving Them” in the fixed operations education track. 

This presentation is designed to help dealers benchmark their dealership’s performance against the rest of the industry, and to provide practical guidance on how to improve the efficiency and profitability of any service department. 

Learning objectives include: 

• RECT trends in the industry, highlighting which brands are performing the best and in what specific area 
• Which critical service metrics you should be tracking, including RECT and how to use this data to compare your dealership’s performance to others in your region 
• Areas of your dealership to take a harder look at, so you can improve processes and allot your resources where they will have the biggest impact 

Then, at 3:15 p.m. on Nov. 14, Allison Miller, sales engineer for IDS, will host “Elevate Your Fixed Ops Customer Experience with Automation” in the fixed operations education track. 

Because unit sales and profit margins are impacted by interest rates and market forces, more dealerships are focusing on maximizing profit in fixed ops. That means the customer experience needs to be a cut above that of competitors – more frequent, more personalized, and more helpful. 

Learning objectives include: 

• Provide proactive communication with customers by automating text messaging, follow-ups, reminders, and more. 
• Improve cross-departmental collaboration and communication to elevate your customer experience. 
• Identify communication gaps in your fixed ops department. 

About the RV Dealers Convention/Expo 

The convention allows North America’s top dealership personnel to forge valuable connections with peers, industry leaders, and potential business partners in the Expo. Dealership professionals can expand their network and gain insights from the best in the RV industry.  

The dealer-organized RVDA Convention will provide an in-depth look into the current sales landscape. Attendees will have access to valuable resources to optimize all departments within a dealership, including fixed operations. 

To register for the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo click here. Regular updates will be posted on the convention website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.  

Companies interested in partnership, sponsorship, exhibiting, and Vendor Training +Plus opportunities can contact Julie Newhouse at (703) 364-5518 or email [email protected].    

The post RECT, Customer Service Talks Set at RVDA Convention/Expo  first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ELKHART, Ind. — Results of the Great Cardboard Boat Race, sponsored by Winnebago Industries to benefit Crossroads United Way, were “nothing short of extraordinary,” organizers told the Elkhart Truth.

The event Friday saw record-breaking attendance and boat participation, solidifying its place as one of the community’s most anticipated events of the year, the group said.

With over $160,000 raised and counting, Crossroads United Way again surpassed its fundraising goals, thanks to contributions from participants, sponsors and the local community. The funds will be directed toward supporting vital programs in the region, focusing on early childhood education, mental health and other critical services.

The post Winnebago-Sponsored Cardboard Boat Race Breaks Records first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

GOSHEN — Plans for the first 80 spots in a “higher-end” RV park north of Syracuse can move forward after a detailed plan was approved, according to reporting by the Elkhart Truth.

The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners this week approved a zone map change for North Trace RV Resort, a 45-acre property in Benton Township. Plans ultimately call for a 230-space campground at the location on C.R. 29, south of C.R. 56, with the first third of capacity planned for phase one.

Steve Showalter, owner of Showalter RV, told the board when introducing the plan last year that the park is meant to meet the need for a high-quality campground that can accommodate larger RVs. He said there’s a potential client base of people who want a “higher-end, resort-style experience” that Elkhart County is lacking

The post Elkhart County Approves Plans for Higher-End RV ‘Resort’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

LOS ANGELES – Sensible Weather, a leading weather protection provider for travel and outdoor experiences, announces today its new partnership with Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), the world’s largest network of privately owned campgrounds. Rounding out a robust portfolio of Sensible Weather camping partners, this partnership allows campers to buy Weather Guarantees at more than 450 KOA campgrounds across the U.S., according to a release.

Sensible Weather provides a differentiated value to customers, with a Weather Guarantee that gives peace-of-mind and tangible experience benefits, while providing booking conversion improvements and incremental revenue for partners such as campgrounds, hotels, golf courses and more. Guests who are offered a Weather Guarantee have more confidence to book without worrying about the impact of unpredictable weather. Aligned with KOA’s commitment to enhancing the outdoor experience with their signature outdoor hospitality, campers can now add a Weather Guarantee to their bookings throughout the KOA system.

Sensible Weather provides a unique Weather Guarantee for every reservation based on the dates of travel and location. If the weather each day exceeds predefined parameters, Sensible Weather automatically sends a text to message to consumers letting them know how to collect their payout. Customers don’t need to submit a claim – there is no haggling or claims process. Campers with Weather Guarantees can receive reimbursements from Sensible Weather of up to 100% of their nightly rate in real-time, based on the day-of weather data via a text notification typically before the predicted weather event occurs.

“Camping today is about getting outside and making the most of your time outdoors. With six out of 10 U.S. households identifying as campers and camping accounting for a third of all leisure trips, more people are seeing the importance of connecting with nature,” said Nick Cavanaugh, Ph.D., Sensible Weather CEO & founder. “Instead of letting the threat of unpredictable weather get in the way, our Weather Guarantees help campers commit to their next camping trip, and with the addition of KOA to our portfolio, will help campers make the most of their time at the majority of campgrounds across the U.S.”

Since 1962, KOA campgrounds have been the place to create unforgettable moments – relaxing with family or friends, enjoying the great outdoors or gathering around a campfire. According to KOA’s 2024 Camping & Hospitality Report, active campers have increased by 68% over the past 10 years, adding an additional 21.6 million households. As more people seek experiences in the outdoors, KOA aims to grow with the demand and maintain an unparalleled camping experience from booking, to arrival, to departure. KOA’s partnership with Sensible Weather offers a new convenience to campers that will ultimately increase booking confidence and amplify the guest experience.

“By early June, 40% of campers said they had altered plans due to weather,” shares Diane Eichler, Sr. Vice President of Marketing at Kampgrounds of America. “Outdoor hospitality can be heavily impacted by the weather. By offering Sensible’s Weather Guarantee, we will enhance our campers’ experience, encouraging more campers to book their next adventure with confidence and make lasting memories in the outdoors.”

The post ‘Sensible Weather’ Teams Up with KOA to Protect Campers first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Kaulig Racing’s Chris Rice got the inside scoop from Daniel Knight, general manager of Campers Inn RV of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on the new RV Supercenter coming soon.

The RVBusiness Featured Video is sponsored by Curt, a Lippert Brand.

The post Campers Inn RV Planning New Supercenter in Myrtle Beach first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.