Dave Barbulesco

Gathering in familiar surroundings at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) is preparing for a strong turnout and a tightly packed agenda during its 93rd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase. This year’s event, which gets underway Thursday (March 11) and runs through Sunday, returns to the sprawling […]

Registration opens today for the 2016 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo, Nov. 7–11 in Las Vegas. The theme is “Gear Up for Success,” and dealers are encouraged to bring their top performers for a week of fixed-operations training and education, leadership development, networking, and motivation. The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) reported in a press release […]

Wells Fargo & Co. announced that it has completed the purchase of the North American portions of GE Capital’s Commercial Distribution Finance and Vendor Finance businesses as well as a portion of its corporate finance business, totaling $27.4 billion of assets, including approximately $24 billion of loans. The remaining international segment of the transaction is expected […]

Spartan Motors Inc. reported an 18.4% gain in fourth-quarter revenue, aided by growth in its Spartan Chassis Inc. subsidiary, a key supplier to the motorhome industry. Net sales for the quarter totaled $140.6 million compared with $118.8 million in the same period of 2014. The company incurred an operating loss of $10 million versus an operating loss […]

More than two dozen tornadoes were reported Tuesday (Feb. 23) across five Southern states Tuesday in a deadly outbreak of storms that punished the Gulf, according to a CBS News report. The Sugar Hill Trailer Park in Convent, La., was demolished. Two people were killed and another seven are in critical condition. “I heard a big […]

Elkhart Ind.-based supplier Patrick Industries Inc. today (Feb. 18) reported a 65% increase in fourth-quarter net income lifted by 32% growth in RV sales. Net sales for the fourth quarter, ended Dec. 31, grew 31% to $248.7 million from $189.6 million in the same quarter of 2014. The company reported that the jump in RV revenue reflected […]

As gas prices barrel down below $2 a gallon, RVers have come out in force during the early round of winter shows that generally set a barometer for the coming year in terms of trends in the industry and potential sales. And, despite the backdrop of a gyrating stock market, RV dealers and show organizers […]

The Vigilant Parent announced the launch of PerpAlert, a personal safety smart phone app that is “ideally suited for RV travelers,” according to a press release. With a single touch the PerpAlert will send out a variety of information, including: • Camera activated, automatically takes three photos. • E-mail Activated, photos sent to family (up […]

At its meeting today (Feb. 1), South Carolina’s Cherokee County Council is expected to approve the second reading of a tax break for a $22 million expansion project by Gaffney-based Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC). The Gaffney Ledger reported that the ordinance provides a 6% fee-in-lieu for Freightliner to expand operations at its facility. Freightliner […]

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s interrupted Don Sheliga’s life around three years ago. While working as an engineer for Coachmen RV, Sheliga coped, embracing the series of therapies, treatments and recommended exercise that would help retard – but, at this point, not cure – the progressive symptoms associated with the disease. The most potent medicine, however, […]