RVing in New England,” the weekly Facebook Live show hosted by Bob Zagami and John DiPietro of the New England RV Dealers Association (NERVDA), this week features RV enthusiasts and technicians Chris Dougherty and Randy Murray who discuss their new podcast, “Talkin’ RVs.”
Tonight’s show airs at 7 p.m. ET.
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JASPER, Ind. – Meyer Distributing announces a new partnership with Stoked Fire Products.
From colorful flame colorizers to dependable fire starters and other must-have fire tools, Stoked Fire Products is all about bringing joy and ease to your gatherings, according to a release. Whether it’s a backyard hangout, a campsite adventure, or a cozy indoor evening, Get Stoked! helps you ignite the fun and keep it glowing.
“We’re fired up…literally! After a hot minute, all your favorite GET STOKED products are officially in stock and ready to bring the heat at Meyer Distributing,” said Jesse Bleeman, CEO of Stoked. “From our crowd-favorite Funky Colored Flames to the rest of our fire-loving lineup, we’re restocked, reloaded, and ready to turn every campfire, firepit, or backyard hang into a full-blown vibe. Whether you’re planning your next outdoor adventure or just want to add a little color to your night, now’s the time to get your hands on the goods. Let’s get stoked and keep the flames funky!”
“These are great counter display boxes for impulse purchases,” stated Nick Gramelspacher, VP of Brand Strategy for Meyer. “Perfect for RV/Overlanding and outdoor stores or anyone who camps or spends time by the fire. These Funky Flames and fire starters are new, exciting products!”
Meyer Distributing is a complete international automotive and RV/towing distributor. With 112 locations nationwide and over 3,500,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, Meyer has a huge inventory of parts to service their customers. With strategically positioned warehouse facilities, Meyer Distributing is able to provide next day delivery to most locations using Meyer Logistics direct ship.
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Northeast Florida Chapter of the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) has donated $3,000 to the Emmanuel Project of Northeast Florida – a nonprofit mobile medical clinic that provides essential care to both patients and underserved areas.
“Our members feel strongly about giving back to nonprofit agencies in northeast Florida, especially a nonprofit like Emmanuel Project that shows how recreational vehicles can be used to provide medical services directly in the communities that need them,” said Northeast Florida FRVTA Board Member Michele Berg.
FRVTA Region 6 has made nearly $75,000 in community donations since 2018.
“This contribution covered essential repairs, allowing us to continue reaching families, children and individuals in underserved communities to ensure they receive the care they deserve,” said Emmanuel Project of Northeast Florida Executive Director Raley Moore. “Through the kindness of organizations like the FRVTA Northeast Florida Chapter, we can carry out our mission of providing free, quality medical care to those who need it most.”
Based in Ponte Vedra, the Emmanuel Project of Northeast Florida is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit mobile medical clinic with a team of medical professionals dedicated to meeting people where they are and providing essential care to both patients and underserved areas. It provides quality, no-cost medical care to those without health insurance, and the ‘working poor’ who meet the income guidelines of 300 percent or below of the federal poverty level per household. It’s ability to bring medical services directly to the patient allows the delivery of essential medical care without the barriers of transportation or distance while impacting health outcomes, saving governmental healthcare dollars, reducing inpatient stays and decreasing emergency room visits. For more information, visit https://emmanuelproject.org/about/.
The FRVTA is a non-profit 501 (C) 6 organization established in 1979. The FRVTA Northeast Florida Chapter (Region 6) sponsors two RV shows annually to help members promote their products at the local level. It’s local membership has grown to more than 30 businesses representing RV campgrounds and resorts, licensed Florida RV Dealers, RV manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and RV service companies and suppliers in Northeast Florida. For more information about the FRVTA Northeast Florida Chapter, visit www.neflrvdealers.com.
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In this week’s video from Huntington Bank on markets and the economy, Chief Investment Officer John Augustine discusses how tariff talks “continue to control” markets, February’s lower inflation numbers, and the prospects of a government shutdown.
The post Huntington Bank: Three Things We Learned This Week first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.
BATH, N.Y. – Wilkins RV has announced in a press release that Scout Burnstine, of Elkhart Ind.-based Alliance RV, has been selected by our sales team as the winner of the 2024 Manufacturer Sales Rep of the Year Award.
Scout has served as the rep for Alliance’s Paradigm, Valor, and Benchmark product lines for the past four years, building a strong and trusted relationship with our team and customers alike. His dedication, product expertise, and consistent availability have made him an invaluable asset to Wilkins RV, the release stated.
Earlier this month at the Syracuse, N.Y., RV Show, Scout was formally recognized for his outstanding support, in-depth training efforts, and his commitment to going the extra mile for both our staff and our retail customers.
He was presented with an award commemorating this honor, along with a $150 gift certificate to a local restaurant as a token of our appreciation.
“Scout is a true partner,” said Brian Wilkins, President of Wilkins RV. “His willingness to jump in, whether it’s helping train our team or working directly with a customer, makes a huge difference. He’s professional, approachable, and always working to make us better. We’re proud to work with him and thrilled to recognize his contributions.”
Wilkins RV began honoring outstanding manufacturer reps in 2008 as a way to recognize those who go above and beyond to support our sales efforts and ensure customers have the best experience possible. “Today’s RVs are complex, and it takes a lot of training and collaboration to get it right,” added Wilkins. “This award is our way of saying thank you to those who give it their all – and Scout certainly has.”
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In this episode of SupplySide Showcase, Ahmet Cinar, Managing Director & Owner of Polser International, and Greg Glanders, President of Polser USA, join Rick Kessler and Chris Cieto of RVBusiness for a conversation on how the Turkey-based company is making inroads with the RV industry thanks to its operations in Elkhart, Ind.
The post SupplySide Showcase: Polser Int’l Gaining Traction in USA first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.
ELKHART, Ind. – Century Chemical Corporation announced a leadership transition that will take effect immediately. Denyse Pontius has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while Pat Pontius will assume the role of President. These title changes more accurately reflect their ongoing leadership roles and responsibilities within the company, according to a release.
Denyse Pontius has been an integral part of Century Chemical, demonstrating exceptional leadership and vision in guiding the company’s strategic initiatives. As CEO, she will continue to shape the company’s goals and vision, ensuring long-term success and growth in the industry.
Pat Pontius, who has played a key role in overseeing daily operations and fostering strong client and partner relationships, will now serve as President. In this capacity, he will continue to manage the company’s day-to-day operations, strengthening internal processes and enhancing customer engagement while ensuring Century Chemical remains a leader in chemical manufacturing and environmental solutions.
“We are thrilled to formally recognize Denyse and Pat’s leadership with these new titles,” said Jimmie Southern, Business Development Manager. “Their expertise and dedication have been instrumental in our success, and we are confident that their continued leadership will propel Century Chemical forward.”
Century Chemical remains committed to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With Denyse Pontius as CEO and Pat Pontius as President, the company looks forward to continued growth and a bright future ahead.
About Century Chemical Corporation
Founded in 1926, Century Chemical Corporation is a woman-owned leader in sanitation and chemical solutions for the RV, marine, aviation, and portable sanitation industries. With nearly a century of expertise, Century Chemical remains dedicated to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
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HOUSTON, Texas – PPL Motor Homes, one of the largest RV consignment dealers in the U.S., announced the opening of its second location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, located in Decatur, Texas.
“As part of our continued growth, this new location reflects PPL’s commitment to delivering greater convenience, accessibility, and value to its customers in the DFW market, one of the largest RV markets in the country,” Juan Tejeda, chief executive officer of PPL Motor Homes, stated in a release
As a full-service RV dealership, PPL Motor Homes of Decatur will offer a comprehensive range of services, including RV consignments, sales, financing, parts, and service.
The new dealership will be located at 500 US-287, Decatur, TX 76234.
About PPL Motor Homes
PPL Motor Homes is one of the largest RV consignment dealers in America. Since 1972, PPL has helped over 50,000 individuals sell their RVs. With a proven track record for success, the company sells over 94% of the RVs listed for sale by RV owners. PPL Motor Homes team members are dedicated to the company’s mission of helping RV owners exit, enter, and enjoy the RV lifestyle. PPL Motor Homes is based in Houston, Texas, with additional locations in Cleburne, Texas, New Braunfels, Texas, Summerfield, Florida, El Reno, Oklahoma, and its newest location in Decatur, Texas. PPL Motor Homes is a portfolio company of Main Street Capital, a principal investment firm based in Houston, TX.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a News & Insights report from the RV Industry Association (RVIA).
Go RVing continues to provide additional insights into today’s RV owners with the latest special report focused on Millennial and Gen Z RV owners, and extension of the latest Go RVing RV Owner Demographic Profile. Newest to RV ownership, Millennial and Gen Z Owners are primed to reshape the face of the industry. Beyond just their diversity across growth audiences, this critical group seeks excitement, new travel options, and boondocking opportunities over your standard campsite.
These owners are among the most diverse with 42% of Millennial/Gen Z owners indicating they are a part of at least one growth audience (which include Hispanic-Americans, African Americans, Asian-Americans, and LGBTQ+). This is compared to 30% of all RV owners.
Key Demographics and RV Usage
The young family segment makes up a substantial portion of RV owners. Key demographic characteristics include:
Millennial and Gen Z owners use their RVs slightly more often when compared to RV owners as a whole (32 days vs. 30 days) for a median of 30 days a year, often during vacation time, and have a high participation rate in camping (57%), fishing (45%), and swimming (43%). They also show a strong inclination towards bringing recreational equipment such as bicycles (40%), ATVs/4 Wheelers (23%), and motorcycles (22%) on their trips.
Brand Loyalty and Future Intentions
Looking ahead, 83% of Millennials and 72% of Gen Z plan to purchase another RV, with a preference for new RVs (79%) and specific types like conventional travel trailers (22%), Class A motorhomes (21%), and Class C motorhomes (16%). RV brand loyalty is high among these owners, with Millennial (89%) and Gen Z (91%) likely to purchase the same brand again, citing strong quality and positive experiences as key reasons.
Buying Process and Information Sources
The buying process for Millennials and Gen Z is heavily influenced by digital resources, with 95% using online platforms for information. Dealership websites (38%), social media (37%), and RV sales listings (37%) are important sources, along with experiential resources like dealerships (48%) and talking to other owners (47%). Notably, 79% of these RVs are bought new, with 44% of buyers paying in cash.
Motivations and Travel Habits
The primary motivations for purchasing an RV include past camping experiences (29%), the desire for a change in travel method (27%) and the ability to go off-roading or boondocking (19%). These owners commonly travel with a spouse (82%), children under 18 (67%), and pets (26%). They enjoy a variety of campsites, with a preference for private campgrounds, state parks, and national park campgrounds.
Campsite Preferences and Activities
When it comes to camping, Millennials and Gen Z seek adventure and unique experiences, with 32% of Gen Z owners using their RVs more than 90 days per year. They show a higher affinity for festival campsites (26%) and unique campsite experiences like wineries and farms (32% Gen-Z, 27% Millennial). Nearly all Millennial and Gen-Z RV Owners participate in at least one hobby while RVing (93% Gen-Z, 94% Millennials vs. 85% Boomers). While Millennials show a higher propensity to fish while on an RV trip, Gen-Z reports higher attendance of college/professional sporting events.
Future of RV Travel
Millennials and Gen Z are enthusiastic about RV travel, with a large majority agreeing that it’s a convenient form of travel for all ages and that RVing is for everyone. Their intention to repurchase and their loyalty to brands that provide quality and positive experiences indicate a strong future for the RV industry with these younger generations.
View the full Millennial/Gen Z Special Report (Members-only)
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Pollak Towing is a name most parts specialists are probably familiar with.
After all, the company has been around for more than 100 years conducting research and development and manufacturing different trailer connection components.
But Pollak, based in Long Island City, N.Y., might not be so well known as an aftermarket supplier.
Pollak made its name as a provider of OEM parts for most American pickup manufacturers and for large construction vehicles and off-road heavy equipment like bulldozers.
All the while, though, Pollak products have been available in bulk for RV back shops as replacement parts for vehicles coming in that are used for towing the RVs.
Now Pollak is making more of an effort to reach the aftermarket customer with its products and is working through distributors to increase its market presence with new point-of-purchase displays and deals to move the products from the back shop into the front-and-center of the parts and accessories store.
A newly developed plan-o-gram is designed to help dealers draw attention to the products, but Pollak Aftermarket Sales Manager Stephen Tacchi said it is important for dealers and customers to know there is nothing new or second-rate about the products.
“It’s not a new product. It’s a new product in the aftermarket, but it has been introduced and it is an OEM product on really literally millions of vehicles,” he said.
The aftermarket products are produced on the same lines as the OEM products and undergo the same rigorous testing to ensure quality.
The only difference is in the way the products are presented to the consumer.
“The average consumer goes under a vehicle that needs to replace the part and pulls off the connector and he looks at it on the back – it says Pollak,” Tacchi said. “So, he walks into the shop and says, ‘I need one of these.’ That’s the best of both worlds when you have someone come in and asking for a specific product.”
So far, Pollak’s visibility in stores is limited, but with the new marketing efforts, Tacchi said the Pollak intends for the plan-o-gram to help drive the retail business.
Aaron Shaffer, director of marketing services for Standard Motor Products – Pollak’s parent company – and his team developed the plan-o-gram to display 19 products and help consumers understand the use for each.
“We’re not the first people to build a program like this; other folks have done it for sure,” Shaffer said. “I think maybe an advantage of being not the first is that we were able to start from scratch and re=imagine the product offering.”
“What we’re trying to provide for the RV market is a package that is easy to read, easy to understand so you can find the part you need fast and the best on the market,” Tacchi said.
Included on that plan-o-gram offering are three of the most-popular items Pollak sells in its Pollak Pro series.
The Pollak Pro RV Trailer End Harness (10-117V) features a seven-blade, trailer-end RV plug with an 8-foot harness. The harness features a single-swipe design with an over-molded trailer end. A heavy-duty jacket protects wires from harsh environments, and non-rusting vinyl construction offers long-lasting durability. Each harness is wired to RV industry standards and designed for all RV and vocational electric brake trailer-tow applications. (Crosses to Pollak Aftermarket 14-227)
The Pollak ProFlex 7-Way Blade and 4-Way Flat Connector (7WB-182PF) features a 7- and 4-way molded design and non-rusting vinyl construction. ProFlex Connectors are designed to plug directly into the OEM wiring system or the Pollak 11-998 (4-foot U.S. car harness), and feature a flexible design that allows users to easily switch between trailers with different connectors. Each connector is wired to RV industry standards and includes a mounting bracket for easy installation.
The Pollak Pro 7-Way Blade RV-Style Socket (7WB-110V) is an OE replacement or for new applications, and plugs into the OE U.S. car harnesses or the Pollak 11-998 (4-foot U.S. car harness). It features a self-cleaning design, duel stainless steel spring, a seal in the lid, and heavy-duty four-hole mounting. Non-rusting vinyl construction offers long-lasting durability. Each Socket is wired to RV industry standards with a schematic on the lid. (Crosses to Pollak Aftermarket 11-893)
Anyone seeking more information about Pollak products can contact their distributor representative or visit http://PollakTowing.com.
The post Pollak Towing is Making Strides in RV Aftermarket Sector first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.