Ron Barger

Inaugural ‘RV Component Expo’ Kicks Off in Shipshewana

SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. – The inaugural RV Component Exposition kicked off Wednesday at the Michiana Event Center in at 455 East Farver Street, Shipshewana, Ind., with almost 50 Tier 1 RV component manufacturers, fabricators, raw material suppliers, assemblers and manufacturing equipment suppliers gathered to showcase products key to RV OEMs.

The three-day show continues today and runs through Friday.

The event was spearheaded by Rock Run Industries to open a venue to the wide variety of non-retail component makers usually dealing only with RV purchasing agents, specifying design engineers, product development managers, manufacturing process engineers, and plant and operations managers.

“Most of these companies are not represented at the RV Hall of Fame Supplier Show,” said Trevor Nice, sales manager for Silvercraft exhibiting at the show. “We just supply the OEMs. Anything from PET to honeycomb flooring to sidewall materials for the smaller OEMs that don’t have their own lamination equipment and processes. This show is a great idea for those more involved in the manufacturing process. We are trying to spur product development in conversations with the OEMs.”

The show organizer, Brandon Esh, with Rock Run Industries, builders of a wide array of steel and aluminum components and the largest exhibitor at the show, went into more depth of who the show will attract and the value therein. He said the organizers set the times of the three-day event to the same times the RV industry builds, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help attract the right attendees.

“Anybody from sales through production who can get excited about the advantage these components can deliver to influence its design,” stated Esh. “Product engineers who can see how these suppliers can inspire better solutions and RV products is who we are after. Anybody involved in the design or the manufacturing process of the RV will benefit from attending this show. Today (Wednesday) we have a lot of sales people here interested in how they can formulate an advantage. Thursday and Friday as many of the local manufacturing plants shut down for the week, we expect much of the production management in attendance.”

He said preregistration is going well and it only costs $10 at the door.  

“We have a lot of the big name brands for Forest River coming,” added Esh. “The Winnebago people are coming and we have some Thor brands in the mix. Like Rock Run Industries that started as a chassis manufacturer, these are many of the components that no one sees or recognizes as a brand, but absolutely need to be there.”

He said Rock Run makes about 90% of the RV outdoor kitchen components for the RV industry. The company is debuting a 20-foot-plus, twin axle ice fishing trailer with a hydraulic drop-down frame as an example of the component innovation at the show.

From wood working suppliers, to canvas, flooring, unique bedding, electronics, solar power and a plethora of metal fabricators, this first RV Component Exposition is made for RV design and manufacturing brainstorming and product improvement.

RV Component Expo Exhibitors:

Register here for free or $10 at the door.

For more information, please visit rvcomponent.com

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TB Plastic Extrusions Now a Direct Supplier to OEMs, Tier 1

In 1999 Rodrigo Cortes Sr. left Santa Ana, Calif., to move to Elkhart, Ind., when a friend offered his family a new opportunity in the plastic extrusion business. Over the last 25 years Cortes Sr.  developed his expertise in the plastic industry working with some of the premier parts suppliers to the RV marine and automotive industries in the Midwest.

Working with some of the biggest names in the plastic industry in the area – such as Eddie Kay, Carlos Díaz, Norm Newhouse, Andy Zimmer and Ed Ksiezopolski – Cortes Sr. honed his expertise to become one of the most sought after production processes managers for plastic manufacturing firms.

In September of 2006 Cortes Sr. established TB Plastic Extrusions (The Best Plastic Extrusions) and began production in May of 2008, as an exclusive producer for LTI/BOYD Corporation.

“My attention then turned to the growth and success of our business,” Cortes Sr. recently shared with RVBusiness. “The early challenges were considerable, but with the support and collaboration of BOYD and our team, we built a strong foundation, achieving annual sales between seven and nine million dollars.”

The pandemic presented unique challenges to the firm, particularly with staffing shortages.

“Yet, we achieved a remarkable 40% increase in sales, reaching $14 million,” shared Cortes Sr. “We operated three shifts, working 24/6 to meet rising demand. During this time, I began to semi-retire, but only after ensuring a smooth transition by offering the management leadership of the company to Carlos Díaz”

But upon his retirement in Sarasota, Fla., he felt compelled to acquire a mold and tooling company founded in the 1990s. The company had a strong track record, having served various industries, including government, weapons manufacturing, and the medical field.

Today, with the experience and knowledge gained over the years, TB Plastic Extrusions stands stronger than ever, supported by an exceptional team that includes Carlos Díaz, who brings over 26 years of experience in the field; Xochitl Pacheco and Lourdes Cortes in quality control, each with at least 26 years of experience.

TB Plastic Extrusions family owned status continues with his son, Vice President Rodrigo Cortes-Jimenez, who took the position in 2012, and daughter, Maria Garcia-Cortes, who took over the quality control area in 2018. At the same time, his son-in-law, Eloy Garcia, is responsible for the warehouse management.

In 2024 the company has diligently implemented a strategic plan to expand its customer base and strengthen market presence. As part of this effort, the firm decision to relocate its Florida based  mold and tooling company Simplex Tool & Mold Inc. to Elkhart, Ind. With this integration TB Plastic Extrusions, Inc. now provides comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for its Elkhart area  customers by not only pre-tuning tooling in-house but developing new.

“We were the production powerhouse for some major plastic parts suppliers in the RV industry and now TB Plastics is stepping out independently to bring that same level of excellence just directly to the OEM and Tier One clients,” said Rodrigo Cortes. “Customers will continue to receive the same product that came out of the same machine, crafted by the same production staff, but backed by what we believe to be better service and enhanced quality because we’re now locally owned and operated, and free from any corporate constraints.”

He said that currently the focus has been on improving tools, getting new tools, running tests, and make sure that quality production is ready.

“So now we’re in a place where now we’re going to start going knocking on doors for new business,” said Rodrigo Cortes. “We specialize in any extrusion part that you could think of for the RV. Now the main ones would be the slide out solutions, all the seals, screw covers, trims, corner blocks, window seals, etc.…”

He said even though TB Plastics Extrusions is a small company currently with around 15 production employees, it can easily scale up to 12-hour shifts with its highly skilled workforce.  

“The team members we have really care and they’re the ones that are willing to go the extra mile because we’ve done the same for them,” he said. “We’re basically a family. So they know that if we switch from eight-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts, they’re all willing. We are a smaller company that was actually supplying half of the inventory of these larger firms. We can actually offer the  same part that comes out of the same machine by the same workers, for better quality, better price, and just better service overall, just because we’re now locally owned.”

Rodrigo Cortes concluded that TB Plastics Extrusions  recently updated its logo to reflect its culture of faith.

“We incorporated a dove because it represents The Holy Spirit,” he said. “It’s our focus of how we operate as a family, as a business. We are guided by strong ethical principles, and dedicated to serving with integrity and fairness. We always keep our eyes on the glory of the Lord, believing that everything we do is for His glory.”

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Australian Firm Brings Duoetto MK2 Water Heater to US

Founded in 2004, Australia-based Aus J Hot Water Solutions continues to expand its international markets into North America with improvements to its 10-liter capacity (2.5 gallon) Duoetto MK2 water heater. The company touts the Duoetto MK2 as the “first 12-volt over 240-volt capable water heater in the RV, marine, caravan and camping market, designed to […]

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New Thermoplastic Caps by Travel Star a ‘Gamechanger’

The rapid growth of family owned, 32-year-old, Goshen, Ind.-based Travel Star Products cannot be overstated. Due in part to the fiberglass supply constraints to the RV industry, the company’s thermoformed plastic alternative for front and rear RV caps have taken off. Travel Star is suddenly front and center to dozens of OEMs looking for raw […]

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Dave Carter & Associates Inc. Breaks Ground on Expansion

The management team from Dave Carter & Associates Inc., along with representatives from Nuway Construction and local government officials, gathered yesterday afternoon (Jan. 12) to break ground on a new 68,000-square-foot expansion of an existing facility at 2434 Century Drive in Goshen, Ind. Dave Carter & Associates Inc. is a multi-line national distributor to multiple […]

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Way Interglobal to Hold 12th Annual Open House Dec. 8-18

Way Interglobal Network LLC will hold its 12th annual Open House for OEM customers from Dec. 8-18 at its recently remodeled, 3,000-square-foot showroom in the company’s headquarters located at 3002 Coast Court, Elkhart, Ind. The company stated that this year’s almost two-week-long open house will include special COVID restrictions allowing only one to two participants […]

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ICON Technologies Plans Expansion for R&D, Warehousing

Winkler, Manitoba-based ICON Technologies LTD, producers of thermoforming and rotational molding products for both RV OEM and aftermarket suppliers and parts replacement needs, plans an expansion for research and development and mixed use to its current Winkler production facilities. The company is both a supplier to the RV industry and consumer-direct seller with its ICON […]

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Marcus Lemonis: ‘I am Very Excited About our Prospects’

Following Monday’s favorable third-quarter financial report by Lincolnshire, Ill.-based Camping World Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CWHI), Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis said he was “very excited about our prospects for next year and beyond.” In his prepared statement during a conference call with investment analysts, Lemonis acknowledged that 2020 has “seen its challenges in the supply […]

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Arrow Showcase Features Product Debuts, Conversations

Omaha, Neb.-based Arrow Distributing announced in late October it is inviting dealers to attend its annual showcase of distributors, which is Jan. 12-13, 2021, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. In addition to the physical show, Arrow will also offer a virtual show/sale from Jan. 18-25. Andy Mullin, who serves as vice president […]

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Land ‘N’ Sea’s Virtual RV & Marine Trade Show a Success

Land ‘N Sea Distributing, a subsidiary of Brunswick Corporation, recently held its first of four RV and marine dealer trade shows adapted to a virtual format due to COVID-19 and, according to the company, the first RV event was a great success. Over 300 brands were represented and a record number of dealers were in […]

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