Month: October 2024

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. –Blue Compass RV, a leading retailer of recreational vehicles with over 100 locations across the United States, announced the acquisition of Patriot RV in Lexington, Kentucky market. The store has been rebranded to Blue Compass RV and boasts a state-of-the-art facility in an ideal location right on I-75.

“We are excited to continue our growth with this acquisition in the Lexington, Kentucky market,” said Jon Ferrando, Founder, President and CEO of Blue Compass RV. “This is an excellent dealership facility in an attractive retail location right on I-75 in Georgetown.  The store has an exceptional RV product lineup.  With this new location and brand mix, we are better positioned than ever to offer our customers in the Lexington market an exceptional sales, service and ownership experience.”  

With this acquisition, Blue Compass RV reinforces its commitment to providing the highest quality products and services to our customers. Blue Compass RV is proud to offer a strong product lineup from the new Lexington location featuring industry-leading new RV brands such as Grand Design, Forest River Flagstaff, Aurora and Cherokee, along with leading motor home brands Jayco Motors, Fleetwood, Tiffin, Entegra and Thor Motor Coach.

Blue Compass first entered the Lexington market with the acquisition of the 12-store Family RV Group in March 2021, and is excited to operate from the new location on I-75.

About Blue Compass RV

Blue Compass RV is the fastest growing RV retail company in the United States over the past six years, with over 100 locations in 33 states. The Blue Compass RV stores across America offer an incredible selection of new and used RVs, including the best lineup of premium new brands. Our mission is to provide an exceptional sales, service, and RV ownership experience for our customers.  With over 1,000 service bays across the country, Blue Compass can service our customers wherever their travels may take them. 

Blue Compass RV has been named the No. 1 Airstream dealer in the world for five consecutive years, with a record-setting nine Airstream stores achieving the prestigious “Five Rivet” status. Blue Compass RV’s flagship Motor Home Specialist store has been the leading motorhome dealer in the U.S. for 11 consecutive years.

Led by Jon Ferrando and an experienced leadership team, Blue Compass has grown exponentially since its founding in 2018, for which it was named to the 2023 and 2024 Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list, as well as South Florida Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Private Companies list for three consecutive years. Prior to launching Blue Compass RV, Jon Ferrando was instrumental in building America’s largest automotive retailer from start-up to over $20 billion in revenue.

The post Blue Compass RV Acquires Patriot RV in Lexington, Ky. first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

From Keystone RV: From special features that help owners tow with confidence, innovation and testing, a huge range of floorplans to fit any need, proven longevity and durability, and so much more, there’s a reason that Cougar is a household RV name. The Cougar team is here to answer the question: Why Cougar?

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

The post OEM Showcase: Keystone Officials Answer ‘Why Cougar?’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

MIDDLEBURY, Ind. – Firefly Integrations’ technician training program continues in October in Baton Rouge, La., Fredericksburg, Va., Columbia, Tenn., and Greensboro, N.C. The training sessions are available in four-hour sessions.

The focus of each session is to give technicians a heightened understanding of RV-C and CAN bus technology as well as strengthen their ability to distinguish between operational, technical, and software issues.

The training sessions involve hands-on experience with Firefly’s Multiplex system and technical discussion that should greatly diminish the time technicians spend troubleshooting and diagnosing issues, the company says.

Each attending technician will earn a certificate for RV Technical Institute (RVTI) credit hours. Technicians need only attend one session for the information needed and the certificate.

October Schedule

• Oct. 3: Baton Rouge
• Oct. 17: Fredericksburg, Virginia
• Oct. 22: Columbia, Tennesse
• Oct. 24: Greensboro, North Carolina

For more information and to register for available training in July and beyond, go to https://www.fireflyint.com/services/training

The post Firefly Integrations October Training Academy Schedule first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

California’s passage of Assembly Bill 1755, signed by the governor on Sept. 29, 2024, marks a significant step forward in streamlining consumer warranty claims, bringing much-needed relief to both consumers and the RV industry, according to a communication from the RV Industry Association (RVIA).

This legislation, backed by major players such as Consumer Attorneys of California, General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis and supported by the California Judges Association, the RV Industry Association, and the California Defense Council, aims to expedite the resolution of warranty disputes and get consumers, including RVers, back on the road faster.

“With California’s RV industry generating a staggering $11 billion in economic output and supporting over 51,000 jobs, the swift resolution of warranty issues is critical,” said RVIA President & CEO Craig Kirby. “AB 1755 is a crucial step towards ensuring the continued growth and success of the RV industry, while simultaneously protecting the rights of California consumers.”

The intent of this legislation is twofold. First, to allow consumers to obtain relief faster – whether through restitution or a replacement vehicle to get back on the road faster and secondly, to reduce the burden on the California judicial system. It accomplishes this by:

Creating a pre-dispute notice requirement, which ensures the consumer notifies the correct contacts at the manufacturer via the pre-dispute notice. Oftentimes, the consumer’s problem can be solved just by talking to the right person.

Incentivizing consumers and manufacturers to more quickly resolve claims by permitting consumers to obtain civil penalties if they comply with this requirement, while penalizing manufacturers with the possibility of civil penalties if they do not comply with this requirement.

Creating an early mandatory mediation process that puts the manufacturer and consumer together earlier on in the process as we know that the more touch points that the consumer has with the right contact at the manufacturer, the more likely a resolution can be reached. Early mandatory mediation also allows for cases to be settled earlier, which reduces the burden on a judge’s docket.

Streamlining document production for both sides to hopefully reduce the number and cost of discovery battles.

Streamlining the civil procedural process of consumer warranty claims, which is currently rather drawn out, thus reducing the burden on the judicial system.
RV manufacturers value the relationships they have with consumers and want to make sure that our customers have a positive experience throughout their RV journey. The RV industry has long sought improvements to the civil procedural process in California and this is a significant step that will better protect consumers and get RVers back on the road more quickly.

The post California Warranty Law a ‘Win for Consumers, RV Industry’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Valterra Products – Dometic Sanitation Division, a leading provider of innovative RV components and accessories, announces the addition of Liane Reid to its team as Sales Development Manager. 

With over 25 years of experience in the RV industry, Reid brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise across various facets of the business, including supplier relations distribution, retail, and consumer interactions. Her proven track record and deep understanding of the industry make her a valuable asset to Valterra.
In her new position, Liane will play a pivotal role in driving Valterra’s sales strategy. She will focus on building stronger relationships with customers, expanding the company’s market reach, and introducing innovative RV products to the market.

“We are excited to welcome Liane to the Valterra team,” said Donna Warr, director of sales. “Her extensive experience and passion for the RV industry will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success.”

About Dometic

Dometic is a global market leader in the mobile living industry. Millions of people around the world use Dometic products in outdoor, residential, and professional applications. Our motivation is to create smart, sustainable, and reliable products with outstanding design for an outdoor and mobile lifestyle in the areas of Food & Beverage, Climate, Power & Control, and Other Applications. Dometic employs approximately 8,000 people worldwide, had net sales of SEK 27.8 billion (USD 2.6 billion) in 2023 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

For more information on Dometic, please visit: http://www.dometic.com.

The post Valterra Names Liane Reid as Sales Development Manager  first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ATHENS, Texas — The Texan RV Park and Campus, home of the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA), announces the appointment of Heather Bradley as the new General Manager. Bradley brings a unique blend of leadership, community-building, and hospitality skills, honed through years of experience in ministry, to her new role at the park, according to a release.

After dedicating much of her life to full-time ministry, where she focused on building communities, providing guidance, and fostering connections, Bradley has seamlessly transitioned into the world of RV park management. Her ministry experience has instilled in her a deep understanding of the importance of creating a welcoming and supportive environment — a skill set that is directly applicable to managing an RV park where guests seek not only a place to stay but also a sense of belonging.

“Stepping into this role at The Texan RV Park and Campus feels like a natural extension of the work I’ve done in ministry,” Bradley said. “Just as in ministry, where it was important to create a supportive and connected community, my focus here is on building a team that is committed to providing an exceptional experience for our guests and students. We’re not just managing an RV park; we’re creating a home away from home for people who travel from all over the country.”

Bradley’s leadership style emphasizes teamwork, cross-training, and continuous improvement among the staff, ensuring that every guest feels welcomed and cared for. She understands that, much like a congregation, the RV community thrives on strong relationships and shared experiences. Under her guidance, The Texan RV Park and Campus is poised to become an even more vibrant and connected community.

As Bradley and her husband, Kelly Bradley NRVTA chief operations officer, embrace this new chapter as empty nesters, she remains passionate about her online social media ministry and podcast, which continue to inspire and connect people. Her dedication to serving others, whether through spiritual guidance or providing a memorable RV experience, remains at the heart of everything she does.

The Texan RV Park and Campus, located in Athens, Texas, is more than just an RV park — it’s a hub for RV enthusiasts and home to the National RV Training Academy. With Heather Bradley at the helm, guests and students alike can look forward to a warm, welcoming environment where they can learn, relax, and connect.

For more information about The Texan RV Park and Campus or to book your stay, please visit www.texanrvpark.com or contact us at (903) 677-3326.

About The Texan RV Park and Campus

The Texan RV Park and Campus is a premier RV park in Athens, Texas, offering a serene setting, top-notch amenities, and a strong sense of community. It is also home to the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA), where RV owners and professionals can receive expert training and certification. The park’s mission is to provide a welcoming environment where guests feel like part of a larger family, making every stay a memorable experience.

The post Heather Bradley Named GM of Texan RV Park & Campus first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

BLUFFTON, S.C. – Fantasy RV Tours, the leader in guided RV vacations, and AdventureGenie, the first AI-powered travel tool for planning camping and RV trips, jointly announced a new partnership.

According to a press release, the collaboration aims to transform the RV experience for travelers by combining expertly guided tours with state-of-the-art technology. This revolutionary partnership integration is slated to be available for users by mid-October with the release of five popular autumn caravans and a Christmas rally. More tours will be available soon after. For more information visit https://adventuregenie.com/fantasy-rv-tours.

Starting this fall, Fantasy RV Tours will be offering a complimentary 12-month AdventureGenie PRO subscription to their guests upon registering for a tour. AdventureGenie subscribers traveling with Fantasy will be able to easily route from their home to the tour rally point and then from the final destination to their next adventure. AdventureGenie allows the RVer to fill in the gaps before and after their RV vacation.

“Partnering with AdventureGenie is a natural fit for us,” said Nel Filliger, CEO of Fantasy RV Tours. “We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with AdventureGenie, a collaboration that represents a new era for RV Travel. By integrating their cutting-edge technology with our premier RV experiences, we’re setting the stage for unparalleled travel adventures that blend convenience, innovation, and the joy of exploration.”

Fantasy RV Tours is the leading provider of guided RV vacations, offering professionally planned travel experiences across the USA, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, and Overseas. Known for delivering safe, worry-free adventures, they caterto RV enthusiasts of all levels, from first-time travelers to seasoned road warriors. Each tour is curated to showcase iconic destinations, cultural highlights, and unique local attractions, all while providing the security of expert guides, guaranteed campsites, and the camaraderie of fellow travelers. With a reputation for creating memorable journeys, Fantasy combines the freedom of RV travel with the ease and comfort of guided vacations.

AdventureGenie is the AI-powered trip planning platform designed specifically for RV travelers. With its state-of-the-art technology, AdventureGenie is transforming the once tedious RV trip planning process into an effortless joy that crafts personalized itineraries in minutes, including campgrounds, unique attractions, and special options tailored to each user’s interests. AdventureGenie offers innovative features such as a personalized campground scoring and matching system based on the user’s camping preferences (GenieMatch). AdventureGenie’s most recent product release, called Personal Genie, showcases a natural language processing (NLP) feature of their innovative trip planner. Personal Genie guides users through every step of the road trip planning process, from routing to selecting appropriate campgrounds to choosing activities and making helpful suggestions along the way.

Together, Fantasy RV Tours and AdventureGenie are set to redefine how RV enthusiasts plan and experience their adventures. Through this partnership, travelers will benefit from Fantasy RV Tours’ unmatched expertise in guided vacations and AdventureGenie’s ability to personalize and streamline trip planning.

AdventureGenie Co-Founder and CEO, Scott Lengel, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Fantasy RV Tours has offered professionally guided RV caravans and rallies around the world for more than 35 years. Being able to partner with such a well-respected and established tour operator is an absolute honor for AdventureGenie. We are thrilled to be able to sprinkle our Genie magic on what we believe are the best RV tours being offered in the world.”

With this groundbreaking partnership, Fantasy RV Tours and AdventureGenie are paving the way for a new era of RV travel—one where technology meets the spirit of guided exploration.

The post Fantasy RV Tours, AdventureGenie Announce Partnership first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

PHILADELPHIA — A strike by dockworkers at 36 ports from Maine to Texas, the first in decades, could snarl supply chains and lead to shortages and higher prices if it stretches on for more than a few weeks, according to an Associated Press report.

Workers began walking picket lines early Tuesday in a strike over wages and automation even though progress had been reported in contract talks. The contract between the ports and about 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight.

The strike comes just weeks before the presidential election and could become a factor if there are shortages.

Workers at the Port of Philadelphia walked in a circle outside the port and chanted “No work without a fair contract.” The union, striking for the first time since 1977, had message boards on the side of a truck reading: “Automation Hurts Families: ILA Stands For Job Protection.”

Click here to read the full Associated Press report.

The post Dockworkers Strike Sparks Fears of Supply Chain Disruption first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

KENT, Wash. – Torklift Central announces the start of the Turkey Challenge, an annual food drive aimed at supporting families in need during the Thanksgiving season. In partnership with Kent United Methodist Church, this year marks the 12th iteration of this cherished community initiative after a two-year pause, according to a release.

The Turkey Challenge, which originated over a decade ago as a grassroots effort, has grown into a symbol of hope and generosity, drawing support from individuals, businesses, and organizations alike. Through the collective efforts of volunteers and donors, the initiative has provided Thanksgiving meals to countless families, embodying the true spirit of giving.

Torklift Central and Kent United Methodist Church are committed to making a significant impact on the community by ensuring that families have access to a warm meal and a sense of belonging during the holiday season.

“We are very excited to bring back the Turkey Challenge in partnership with Kent United Methodist Church,” said Jack Kay, President at Torklift Central. “We are passionate about this event and hope that with the partnership with Kent United Methodist Church, we are able to make even more of an impact in the community”.

The official dates for the Turkey Challenge are from September 29th to November 3rd, during which food and monetary donations will be collected. On November 6th, the donations will be delivered to the Kent Food Bank.

Stay tuned to Torklift Central’s website and social media channels for updates on the Turkey Challenge including weekly updates from businesses and communities of faith of the donations collected.

The post Torklift Central Kicks Off its 12th Annual Turkey Drive first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Supersede, the cutting-edge company aiming to replace conventional wood-based building materials in manufacturing and construction, today announced in a press release the launch of the world’s first 1:1 marine-grade plywood replacement.

The Supersede Marine Board, an engineered extruded sheet crafted from plastic waste, is modern, scalable and cost-effective. It is 100% recyclable, waterproof, and rot-proof, and does not splinter or split. Beginning with the boat manufacturing industry, Supersede will also provide its innovative solution to manufacturers of modular homes, RVs, and trailers.

The announcement comes as traditional plywood prices are still ⅓ higher than in 2019, following pandemic-related supply chain challenges. Additionally, boat manufacturers are increasingly facing a rise in plywood warp, rot, splinter, and performance issues due to change in moisture levels. Marine-grade plywood is processed using harmful chemicals that are known to pose possible health, safety, and environmental hazards. While marine-grade plywood has been in use for decades, the unreliability of its supply chain, its non-durability, and its potential risk to human and environmental health makes the plywood market—worth $31.5B in the US alone—ripe for transformation.

“Boat manufacturers and their insurers have more experience than almost anyone with the headaches of plywood — from the persistent challenges associated with inconsistent performance, warping and splinters, to extensive maintenance, high costs, and little peace of mind,” said Supersede CEO and Co-Founder, Sean Petterson. “We have created the first modern breakthrough addressing these issues with the Supersede Marine Board, a true 1:1 replacement to marine-grade plywood that has all the attributes boat manufacturers look for: a durable, reliable and affordable solution that is non-hazardous, environmentally sustainable, and always consistent. This isn’t just an upgrade to the legacy plywood industry, it’s a long overdue leap forward.”

The potential environmental impact of the Supersede Marine Board is substantial. For every 72 sheets of 1/2′ plywood displaced, one tree is saved. Additionally, Supersede’s manufacturing and engineering process eliminates VOCs, adhesives, and waste from the equation. The solution also provides an effective, cost-incentivized solution for plastic recycling, which can help counter the spread of microplastics entering the ocean and negatively impacting human health.

Beyond offering a durable, cost-effective, sustainable and safe alternative to existing marine-grade plywood, Supersede is also ideal for partners. The company’s vertically integrated and streamlined supply chain means manufacturers benefit from consistent pricing. Supersede also eliminates steps in the manufacturing process such as sanding, sealing, and drying, thereby saving partners labor costs and substantially increasing throughput. Supersede’s offcuts are also 100% recyclable, and the company’s offcut buyback program enables customers to achieve their zero waste goals. The Supersede Marine Board is also safer for partners’ employees because it prevents exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins like CCA, splinters, and sawdust.

Supersede Leadership Team

The Supersede leadership team includes co-founders Jordan Darling, Sean Petterson, and Shane Kenyon, all graduates of the Rochester Institute of Technology, a nationally top-ranked university for innovation. Darling and Petterson—both Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees in manufacturing— and Kenyon have extensive experience working in construction from a young age, having grown up in families who worked in the industry. Kenyon, a mechanical design engineer with automotive industry expertise, led teams at Tesla, NIO, and Nikola Motor Company.

Prior to the launch of Supersede, both Darling and Petterson launched and sold successful companies. Darling’s previous company, Free Form Factory, invented and patented personal electric water crafts manufactured out of plastic; the company was sold in 2017. Petterson’s previous company, Strongarm Technologies, empowered industrial workers with the tools and knowledge necessary for a safer, more efficient workplace; the company sold in 2023.

Inspired by their shared love of the outdoors and driven to create solutions that solved crucial industry challenges while positively impacting the environment, the team drew upon their collective expertise in the construction, watercraft, and automotive industries to launch Supersede. 

The post Supersede Offers First Marine-Grade Plywood Replacement first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.