Month: May 2025

WASHINGTON, D..C – The national average for a gallon of regular saw few changes over the past week, going up slightly to $3.18, according to a report by the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Even though this is the time of year when we typically see seasonal increases and rising demand, the price of crude oil has been plunging. A couple of factors are at play: economic concerns and the decision by OPEC+ (the group of oil-producing countries) to increase output and add more oil to the market, despite tepid demand. The lower the price of oil, the less drivers pay at the pump. The national average is almost 50 cents less than it was this time last year. 

Today’s National Average:  $3.186 

One Week Ago: $3.171 

One Month Ago: $3.201 

One Year Ago: $3.662 

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased from 9.41 b/d last week to 9.09. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 229.5 million barrels to 225.5. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.5 million barrels per day. 

Oil Market Dynamics 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell $2.21 to settle at $58.21 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 2.7 million barrels from the previous week. At 440.4 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year. 

EV Charging 

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 34 cents. 

State Stats 

Gas 

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.77), Hawaii ($4.50), Washington ($4.26), Oregon ($3.90), Nevada ($3.84), Alaska ($3.62), Illinois ($3.40), Pennsylvania ($3.35), Idaho ($3.31), and Utah ($3.31).  

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.66), Louisiana ($2.73), Tennessee ($2.74), Alabama ($2.76), Texas ($2.76), Arkansas ($2.78), Oklahoma ($2.80), South Carolina ($2.82), Kansas ($2.85), and Missouri ($2.85). 

Electric 

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (55 cents), Alaska (47 cents), West Virginia (47 cents), Montana (44 cents), South Carolina (43 cents), Louisiana (43 cents), Tennessee (43 cents), Kentucky (42 cents), Idaho (42 cents), and Georgia (40 cents). 

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (22 cents), Missouri (25 cents), Iowa (27 cents), Delaware (27 cents), Nebraska (29 cents), Utah (29 cents), Texas (30 cents), Maryland (30 cents), Vermont (30 cents), and North Carolina (31 cents).

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an excerpt of a blog post by IDS recapping its April Dealership Insights Forum, which was titled “Are You Tracking the Right Service Metrics?”. Click here to read the full recap.

Your dealership’s fixed operations are essential for sustaining steady revenue and growth, especially during economic downturns. But are you measuring the right service success metrics?

At the April Dealership Insights Forum, dealers gathered to discuss which fixed ops success metrics every dealership should be tracking, how you can incentivize your team, how you can drive more revenue from unclaimed warranties, and more.

The discussion was led by Don Miller, Senior Data Innovation Manager at IDS, Kevin Gribble, former fixed ops manager at Lazydays RV, and Steven Shackleford, Service Director at The Great Outdoors RV.

Here are the highlights from their discussion:

Seasonal Trends in Service Volume

Don Miller kicked off the discussion with a look at national averages for service volume, labor hours per work order, and revenue trends, using IDS’ industry reports.

Don Miller: “Looking back over the last 6–7 years, historically, shows that service can be very seasonal.”

Volume by Season:

• Winter (Jan, Feb, Dec): <20% of annual volume.
• Summer/Fall: ~28–29% each.
• Spring: ~26%.
• October is the peak service volume month, followed by May and June.

Labor Hours per Work Order

• Average billed hours per work order have remained fairly stable over 6–7 years, at ~4 hours.
• Winter months (December, January and February) show higher average hours, possibly due to larger off-season work orders done during that time.

Revenue Trends

One area that has changed considerably over the last several years is dollars per work order.

• Dollars per work order increased from ~$800 in 2018–2019 to $1,064 recently.
• Again, the winter months have some of the highest dollars per work order, likely due to bigger repair jobs.

Don encouraged dealers to track these trends over time, as these insights can be crucial for planning.

Click here to read the full recap.

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AKRON, Ohio – Myers Industries Inc. (NYSE: MYE), the parent company of Ameri-Kart and Elkhart Plastics and a leading manufacturer of a wide range of polymer and metal products and distributor for tire, wheel, and under vehicle service industry, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

“We are pleased to report first quarter results of improved profitability on flat sales driven by the contribution of our Signature acquisition and strong performance of our Scepter military products. Further, we reduced our SG&A across the businesses,” Myers Industries’ President and CEO Aaron Schapper stated in a release. “Our ‘Focused Transformation’ program, launched earlier this year, is gaining momentum as we foster a culture of accountability and ignite a renewed drive among employees. I have been encouraged by conversations with our teams as we identify opportunities and actions to drive enterprise-wide improvements. During the quarter, we activated our previously announced $10 million 2025 Share Repurchase Program, demonstrating our commitment to return cash to shareholders.

“Finally,” he continued, “the fact that 15 of our 16 manufacturing sites are located within the U.S. enables us to provide our customers with supply chain sourcing optionality and a level of insulation from potential tariff impacts. As we move forward, we remain committed to transforming our organization by building a culture rooted in accountability, continuous improvement, and a profitable growth mindset.”

First Quarter 2025 Financial Summary

• Net sales: Slightly lower as higher demand in Infrastructure and Industrial, particularly military applications, was offset by lower Food & Beverage demand due to cyclicality of seed box demand and lower Automotive Aftermarket demand.
• Gross profit: Increased due to product sales mix, led by higher sales in Infrastructure due to the Signature acquisition.
• Operating income: Increased due to improved mix and lower material and manufacturing costs. The 2024 comparison period also includes $6.5 million of Signature acquisition and integration costs, including acquisition-related inventory step up.

Click here to read the full financial report.

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RICHMOND, British Columbia – The first week of June marks the return of RV Tech Week, a national campaign celebrating the critical role of RV technicians and the wide range of exciting career opportunities in the Canadian Recreation Vehicle industry, according to a release from the RVDA of Canada.

From June 2-6, dealerships, suppliers, manufacturers, and service centres across the country will participate in RV Tech Week 2025, recognizing the hard work, innovation, and technical excellence of RV professionals. This year’s theme, “Tech the Next Step: Skills That Move You,” encourages Canadians to explore RV technician careers and celebrate the dedicated professionals who power the RV lifestyle.

“RV Tech Week is more than just a celebration — it’s a movement to showcase the skill and pride behind every RV repair and service,” said Chardell Brydon, chair, RVDA of Canada Education & HR Committee. “This is our opportunity to thank those working behind the scenes and to inspire a new generation to consider a career in this fast-paced, hands-on field.”

“Technicians are the backbone of the RV experience,” saidays Eleonore Hamm, president of the RVDA of Canada. “Without their skill and dedication, our industry wouldn’t be able to support the millions of Canadians who rely on RVs to explore, connect, and enjoy the freedom of the open road. RV Tech Week is our way of honoring their expertise and attracting new talent to this rewarding career path.”

Campaign Highlights

• National Toolkit Available: Employers and industry partners can access a free Activation Toolkit, packed with pre-made content, graphics, social media templates, event ideas, and recognition tools to help amplify their participation. Industry members can click here to download the full RV Tech Week Activation kit.

• In-store and Online Events: Businesses are encouraged to host shop tours, recognition events, and virtual Q&As to engage customers and promote the RV technician trade.

• Social Media Celebration: Organizations and individuals are encouraged to share content throughout the week using #RVTechWeek and tagging @rvcareers and @rv.careers to help boost the reach and visibility of the campaign.

• Career Awareness Focus: Through storytelling, employer spotlights, and hands-on learning moments, RV Tech Week emphasizes the growing demand for skilled technicians and the rewarding lifestyle the RV industry offers.
Why It Matters:

Canada’s RV industry is on the move — and so are the professionals who keep it going. From diagnostics and solar installs to appliance repairs and structural work, RV technicians play an essential role in supporting Canada’s vibrant travel and tourism sector.

RV Tech Week is an invitation to celebrate these skills, spark curiosity about the trade, and create momentum around training, recruitment, and retention.

About RVDA of Canada

A national, volunteer federation of provincial and regional RVDA associations and their members, the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada is a professional trade association that works on behalf of all retail businesses involved in the recreation vehicle industry. Advocacy, professional development and industry initiatives are developed by members, for members and delivered on their behalf by the RVDA. For more information, visit www.rvda.ca. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube @rvdaofcanada.

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NEW YORK — Uncertainty continues to hang over the latest round of financial results and forecasts for companies both big and small as they try to navigate a global trade system severely shaken by a shift in U.S. policy, according to an Associated Press report.

Tariffs and the stark shift in policy has also shaken consumer and business confidence. The U.S. economy shrank during the first quarter of the year, its first drop in three years. Consumer spending ramped up in March, likely an effort to get ahead of tariffs, but fell for the entire quarter. Meanwhile, companies have been pulling back on hiring.

Roughly half of the companies in the S&P 500 have reported their latest quarterly financial results, but the focus has been on how they will adjust to tariffs and any change in consumers’ behavior. The focus remains blurry for both companies and investors because of the on-again-off-again nature of President Donald Trump’s policy.

Trump has implemented a range of tariffs on goods from some of the biggest U.S. trading partners and many of those countries have hit back with retaliatory tariffs. At the same time, Trump has pulled back or postponed some tariffs. The situation remains unpredictable and that is problematic for companies trying to plan ahead and investors looking for stability.

Here’s what companies (Caterpillar, Stanley Black & Decker, Newell Brands, Barclays, GSK, Sysco and First Solar) are saying about tariffs and the potential impact …

Click here to read the full Associated Press report.

The post Tariff Turmoil Prompts Cloudy Forecasts for the Year Ahead first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following story by David L. Slone was published by the Times-Union of Warsaw, Ind. It is reprinted with permission.

WARSAW, Ind. – Slate, a startup EV truck manufacturer that is backed by Jeff Bezos, is bringing over 2,000 jobs to Warsaw and will have a major impact on the city, county and state.

Peggy Friday, CEO of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, said Wednesday (April 30), “We’re incredibly excited about this opportunity with Slate. (KEDCO) is all about creating wealth for the community and opportunities. And this repurposing of the former Donnelley printing plant that employed so many people back in the day is now being repurposed and brought to life again.”

She said the real story is that the Donnelley campus sat vacant for less than a year.

“We were so fortunate to find another user, especially at this caliber, to take over that campus, so we’re just excited and can’t wait to officially welcome them here, but there’s a lot of work to do between now and then,” Friday stated.

In June 2023, LSC Communications announced it was closing its doors at 2801 W. Old 30, Warsaw, by September and the closing would impact over 500 workers. LSC Communications began in 2016 when R.R. Donnelley, the commercial print and logistics company, decided to divide its services into three separate companies, according to a past LSC website.

Slate formally revealed itself April 24. On April 25, TechCrunch.com published an online story that Slate was eyeing the former printing plant in Warsaw for its EV truck production.

Tuesday (April 29), Slate confirmed that it was expected to be producing its EV trucks in Warsaw by 2026 and would be bringing over 2,000 jobs to Warsaw with it.

As for what those jobs are specifically, that information is yet to be announced by Slate.

“It’s a brand new startup, so they’re going to need some of everything. Specifically what those job skillsets are, we don’t know yet. We’re just getting into the process now, working with their HR department, but KEDCO will be very instrumental in helping them to identify where the workforce is coming from and then, hopefully, partner in hosting job fairs that we can expose all of Northeast Indiana to the opportunities,” Friday explained.

The work to bring Slate to Kosciusko County has been a team effort, she said.

“KEDCO was instrumental in driving this train, but also our community partners are the county, the county commissioners, the county council and the other community members that we’ve worked with. It’s just been great, it’s been a catalyst,” she said. “And, really, to bring such a larger employer here with close proximity to U.S. 30 will just help us completely tell that story that we do need to redevelop that (U.S. 30) corridor because we’re looking at bringing in 2,000 jobs.”
Obviously, the county wants those workers to live and work here, but Friday acknowledged that they know a large majority of them will be traveling on U.S. 30 to get to work.

“It’s just really critical that that corridor gets the attention it deserves and needs.”

Slate’s plans for the Donnelley facilities is a win-win for everyone, Friday stated.

“The state of Indiana, this is a really great opportunity. For us, though, it’s an opportunity to diversify. We are the Orthopedic Capital of the World, we have a fantastic recreation industry here. Manufacturing. Education. Agriculture is very big in Kosciusko County. So to be able to diversify with a new, innovative project like this is really exciting because Warsaw and Kosciusko County, we’re focusing on innovation and that’s the key.”

She continued, “This reindustrialization, bringing back jobs to the United States, but also bringing such brand new technology and innovation to Indiana, we’re just really proud that we could be competitive because they could have landed most anywhere.”

Friday didn’t originally envision an electric vehicle company coming to the area.

“This technology isn’t being done anywhere else in the world, so it was all brand new to us. It’s been a really fun process to work with Slate and the team. Very hardworking, very down-to-earth Midwestern type of people. Just excited to welcome them to our community and learn more about the opportunity, about the product and it’s going to be fun to watch for them on the highways and here in town,” she said.

Slate’s timeline to get the first vehicle off the line in the third or fourth quarter of 2026 is pretty aggressive, Friday said, but the county and KEDCO are ready to come alongside them and make sure that Slate can stay on its timeline.

The message she wanted the community to know about KEDCO is, “If we bring a project to a community, the county, know that that project has been vetted and that we believe that, in our due diligence, that it’s a great fit for the community and we’ll continue to advocate for that.”

Friday said she would love to purchase one of Slate’s EV trucks herself at some point.

“It appears to be a really great product, and … I do know that there is a buzz of people who are interested in learning more about the vehicle and what it can do,” Friday said. “We just want them to be successful, and KEDCO stands alongside to make sure that we can do everything possible to make that happen.”

Slate’s innovation really fits with the city of Warsaw and Kosciusko County, she said.

“Grace College, through the Lilly Endowment, has funds set aside to build a business innovation and research center. The city of Warsaw is repurposing the Warsaw Chemical building for innovation. We’ve got Plug and Play here. Everything is pointing to innovation, orthopedic, technology and we just want to diversify our portfolio and it’s really great to have a manufacturing opportunity that’s as innovative as this one is,” Friday said.

She’s grateful that Warsaw and Kosciusko County were able to be the site of preference for Slate because Slate could have landed anywhere in the country.
“They did their due diligence and they know that this is the place to be,” Friday said.

More information on Slate Auto and its vehicles can be found at https://www.slate.auto/en

For more about KEDCO, visit https://www.kosciuskoedc.com/

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The RV Industry Association (RVIA) released a “sizzle reel” for the 2025 RVs Move America Week, the annual event in which the RV industry descends on Washington D.C. for meetings and advocacy.

This year, RVs Move America Week begins with two days of committee meetings where volunteers from across the RV industry collectively work to build a strategic roadmap to help define future growth of the $140 billion RV industry. In addition to committee meetings, participants will gain insight on the state of the RV industry from association leaders and on the policies of the administration from political speakers. Attendees will rub elbows with federal policymakers and industry innovators, forging relationships beneficial to the future growth of the RV market. As the impact of RV industry continues to grow, its influence in Washington is vital for the future success of the industry. It’s more important than ever to make your voice heard and advocate for the federal reforms our industry needs to truly thrive.

Click here for more information about RVs Move America Week.

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Modern Buggy RV is a featured partner of the U.S. Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) All-State Championship, offering an exclusive chance for one lucky USSSA Little League family to win a 12LRK RV, along with a $750 discount for all USSSA members on any Modern Buggy RV with a valid USSSA Membership ID, according to a release.

This exciting promotion will take center stage at the 2025 USSSA All-State Championship, which runs July 29 to Aug. 3, and will be featured at over 25 Little League baseball events this season. Families can enter the giveaway via the USSSA National Championship website and through QR code banners at fields nationwide.

This partnership with USSSA underscores Modern Buggy’s commitment to making RVing more accessible to all families, the release continued.

Learn more about the partnership at https://allstate.usssa.com

The post Modern Buggy RV Headlines USSSA Championships first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

After 53 years at its facility on Industrial Parkway in Elkhart, Ind., Fleming Sales moved to a new location at 54900 County Rd 17, in Elkhart. The company stated it moved out of its old 43,000-square-foot facility to a newer, more efficient facility of just over 20,000 square feet.

The privately held, family-run business is celebrating serving the hardware, parts and RV industries for 80 years in 2025.  

“My dad built the building we just moved out of in 1972,” said co-owner third generation Bob Grady of his father. John E. Grady joined his grandfather, Edgar Fleming’s, firm in 1947.

“We are actually about three miles away from where we were here on County Road 17 and Protector Drive now.  It’s right on the corner of a main route in Elkhart, north and south, perfect for our distribution. It’s a very good location. A lot of traffic, a lot of exposure.”

Third in line of the four generations of family that has led Fleming Sales, Bob Grady, has run parts and service since 1972. He stated that its new facility represents a consolidation process for the firm. His brother, CEO, Mark Grady and fourth generation in the family, and national sales and marketing executive, Caryn Grady manage the firm day to day.    

“We’re leasing this new facility that’s about half the size of the original building,” explained Bob. “It was time to consolidate. We just didn’t need all that space. It was quite an undertaking, but we got it done with everything moved in a month. After 53 years of accumulating stuff it was a good move. And everybody’s settling in. We’re doing really well. The fun part now is reorganizing, getting everything just where we want it and set up. Our customers are happy and that is what counts.”

The firm is well known throughout the RV industry for offering its premium RV parts and  accessories for  over 70 years. According to Grady the business has evolved over the years starting as a manufacturer’s representative business by representing a number of companies such as MTD lawn and garden products and kerosine heaters when they were popular. Eventually, as many of these companies sold to larger conglomerates, “We decided to take better control of our future by building our own products and directly importing others,” stated Grady.

Today, the company successfully carved out a niche in fabrication, distribution and sale of products to RV manufacturers.

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The annual RV Industry Association (RVIA) Aftermarket Conference is evolving to meet the changing needs of the industry. This year’s event promises an expanded scope and audience, building on its rich 50-year history, according to an RVIA release.

Aftermarket Committee Chairman John Tinghitella recently shared the vision for the conference’s growth: “For over five decades, the Aftermarket Conference has been a crucial platform for suppliers and distributors. It’s where they gather for a week of focused small group meetings – often described as a ‘speed dating’ format – alongside insightful speakers, panels, workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities. This event serves as the efficient kickoff to the upcoming model year, allowing members to privately discuss plans for new products, shows, catalogs, and overall seasonal strategies.”

Adding an important dimension to the conference, Jarrod McGhee, owner and president of FunTown RV (a network of 26 locations) and a prominent voice for the RV consumer, will deliver the keynote address on Tuesday, Aug. 12. McGhee’s recent participation in an RV Industry Association Leadership Conference panel in March left a strong impression.

Tinghitella explained, “Jarrod’s understanding and focus on today’s RVer deeply resonated with me. His message is precisely what we in the aftermarket need to hear to effectively attract and retain consumers within the RV lifestyle.”

Looking ahead, Tinghitella detailed the Aftermarket Committee’s strategic enhancements for the upcoming event: “Our Leadership Team is committed to broadening the conference’s scope and audience while honoring its legacy. A key initiative is extending special invitations to 8 select RV Dealers, inviting them to join the conversation and bring the vital perspective of those closest to the RV buyer. This aligns perfectly with our charter and mission: to drive the best possible outcomes for RV consumers in aftermarket parts and accessories. By fostering this collaboration, we believe suppliers and distributors will experience an even more valuable and impactful event.”

The 2025 Aftermarket Conference will be held Aug. 11-14 at the Embassy Suites hotel in San Antonio, Texas,.
 
Click here to learn more about the event and register.

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