RV Business

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Supreme Court declined Monday, Dec. 16, to take up an appeal from conservative states challenging California’s ability to establish strict vehicle emission rules that effectively set the standard for the rest of the nation, according to a CNN report.

The move, which effectively leaves in place a lower court ruling that upheld those regulations, comes days after the court agreed to hear a narrow slice of the fight: Whether fuel companies have standing to sue over the regulations.

Given California’s size, automakers have for decades hewed to that state’s tighter emissions controls, which are permitted under a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency. The states and fuel groups argued in their Supreme Court appeal that the arrangement is unlawful.

The Supreme Court on Monday shut down the appeal from the states. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas said he would have taken up the EPA case but did not explain why.

Click here to read the full CNN report.

For background on this issue, see: “RVIA Webinar Adds Some Clarity to California Regulations” on RVBusiness.com.

The post Supreme Court Declines to Hear Challenge to Calif. Rules first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

On Dec. 12, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) held the 2024 Annual Meeting. The event is the primary membership-wide meeting for the group that represents approximately 500 manufacturers and component and aftermarket suppliers who together produce 98% of all RVs made in the United States, and approximately 60% of all RVs produced worldwide.

The full video above and the separate videos below include the annual report’s full recording and the introductory video. Additionally, there are individual reports from the RV Industry Association’s Chair Kevin McArt, President & CEO Craig Kirby, Go RVing Chief Marketing Officer Karen Redfern, and RV Technical Institute Executive Director Curt Hemmeler.

Introduction

Chair’s Report

President’s Report

Go RVing Report

RV Technical Institute Report

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

The post Videos: RVIA Recaps Challenging 2024 in Annual Meeting first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is the latest list of RV and RV-related recalls compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Per strict NHTSA protocols, manufacturers will next notify its dealer partners of the recall notice. Each notice will include details of the affected vehicles as well as the appropriate remedy.

Forest River, Inc (Forest River) is recalling 684 2024-2025 Clipper and Viking travel trailers. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. The bottle bracket welds may break and cause the propane tank to detach from the vehicle. Dealers will inspect and replace the bottle bracket as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 15, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-269-467-8283. Forest River’s number for this recall is 121-1874.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling 6,963 2009-2017 Georgetown Class A motorhomes. The amber turn signal lens has an undersized reflective surface. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.” The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 15, 2025. Owners may call Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River’s number for this recall is 68-1875.

Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling 508 2023-2025 Momentum fifth wheel trailers. The interior step base does not adequately support the step tread. Dealers will replace the step riser and step treads, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 16, 2025. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design’s number for this recall is 910047.

Roadtrek Inc. (Roadtrek) is recalling 60 2024-2025 Westfalia Wave motorhomes. The seat belt guide bracket may be missing from the second-row seats. The seat belts’ movement may be restricted without the bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 207, “Seating Systems” and 209, “Seat Belt Assemblies.” Dealers will install the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 13, 2025. Owners may contact Roadtrek customer service at 1-888-762-3873. Roadtrek’s number for this recall is 2024-01.

The post NHTSA Releases its Most Recent Installment of RV Recalls first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WASHINGTON — Americans hoping for lower borrowing costs for homes, credit cards and cars may be disappointed after this week’s Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed’s policymakers are likely to signal fewer interest rate cuts next year than were previously expected, according to an Associated Press report.

The officials are set to reduce their benchmark rate, which affects many consumer and business loans, by a quarter-point to about 4.3% when their meeting ends Wednesday. At that level, the rate would be a full point below the four-decade high it reached in July 2023. The policymakers had kept their key rate at its peak for more than a year to try to quell inflation, until slashing the rate by a half-point in September and a quarter-point last month.

The problem is that while inflation has dropped far below its peak of 9.1% in mid-2022, it remains stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% target. As a result, the Fed, led by Chair Jerome Powell, is expected Wednesday to signal a shift to a more gradual approach to rate cuts in 2025. Economists say that after cutting rates for three straight meetings, the central bank will likely do so at every other gathering, or possibly even less often than that.

Click here to read the full Associated Press report.

The post Fed Looks Likely to Slow Rate Cuts Due to Inflation Pressures first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

TROY, Mich. – Champion Homes, Inc. (NYSE: SKY) announced the implementation of a succession plan in which Tim Larson, the company’s Chief Growth Officer, has been appointed President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately.

He succeeds Mark Yost in these roles, according to a company release, which added that Yost will be available as needed to support an orderly transition.

Larson joined Champion Homes in 2021 as Chief Growth Officer. In this role, he has been responsible for leading the company’s direct-to-consumer growth and brand transformation while driving a customer-centric approach to the business. Larson is an accomplished executive in the consumer products and manufacturing industries, the release continued, including serving as CEO of Jostens, Inc. and CMO and Sr. Vice President of Global Customer Excellence at Polaris Industries.

“As we engaged in our ongoing succession planning activities, the Board determined that Tim has the right set of leadership, operational and financial skills and experience to lead Champion Homes as it embarks on its next phase of growth,” said Eddie Capel, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Since joining the Company, Tim has been instrumental in developing and executing our digital direct-to-consumer strategy, expanding our retail footprint, and driving a customer-centric approach to the business. We are confident now is the right time to transition leadership and that he will continue to build on the progress achieved during Mark’s tenure as CEO. We remain on track to deliver solid results in our third quarter and will look to capitalize on new opportunities to unlock even more value for our shareholders with Tim at the helm. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank Mark for his leadership as CEO of Champion Homes and his many contributions over the past decade.”

Larson said, “It is an especially exciting time at Champion Homes. There is a tremendous opportunity to expand and elevate offsite built homes through customer-centric product and service innovation, in support of both homeowners and our retailers. I look forward to working with our CFO, Laurie Hough, and the entire outstanding Champion team as we evolve and grow our portfolio of housing solutions.”

“It has been a privilege to serve as CEO, and I am proud of what our team has accomplished during my tenure at Champion Homes,” Yost said. “Having worked closely with Tim in recent years, I am confident in his ability to lead the Company forward.”

About Tim Larson

Larson has been a member of the Champion Homes executive leadership team since 2021, serving as the Chief Growth Officer. He has significant experience transforming the customer and digital experience across a diverse portfolio of brands and manufacturing businesses with dealer-based retail channels. Larson acted as Board Chair for several businesses, including Spectro Alloys and Botanic Innovations. From August 2013 to January 2018, he served as CMO and Sr. Vice President of Global Customer Excellence for Polaris Industries. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Jostens, Inc. from January 2008 to January 2013. Larson earned a B.A. in Strategic Communications from the University of Minnesota.

About Champion Homes, Inc.

Champion Homes, Inc. (NYSE: SKY) is a leading producer of factory-built housing in North America and employs approximately 9,000 people. With more than 70 years of homebuilding experience and 48 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and western Canada, Champion Homes is well positioned with an innovative portfolio of manufactured and modular homes, ADUs, park-models and modular buildings for the single-family, multi-family, and hospitality sectors.

In addition to its core home building business, Champion Homes provides construction services to install and set-up factory-built homes, operates a factory-direct retail business with 72 retail locations across the United States, and operates Star Fleet Trucking, providing transportation services to the manufactured housing and other industries from several dispatch locations across the United States.

Champion Homes builds homes under some of the most well-known brand names in the factory-built housing industry including Skyline Homes, Champion Homes, Genesis Homes, Regional Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, Titan Homes in the U.S. and Moduline and SRI Homes in western Canada.

The post Tim Larson Succeeds Mark Yost as Champion Homes CEO first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) has launched a new member service, the RVDA Help Desk & Solution Center, designed to provide a wide range of assistance to dealer members.

The RVDA Help Desk & Solution Center, first announced at the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo, is designed to provide professional and timely advice on a variety of dealer or RV industry-related topics such as:

• RVDA member benefits/services
• Manufacturer and supplier questions
• Human resources
• Compliance obligations
• Insurance issues
• Consumer dispute resolution
• Industry/RV consumer data
• Dealership operations

The program, administered by RVDA staff, will offer help and provide resources to assist RV dealers. In more complex business-related cases, the dealer inquiry will be forwarded to Better Vantage Point, RVDA’s endorsed Dispute and Risk Management provider, who will contact the dealer and provide customized, expert support of up to one (1) hour at no charge to help resolve the question.

Members can submit a request to the Help Desk & Solution Center using a confidential contact form using the four options listed below:

• RVDA website here: RVDA Help Desk & Solution Center
• Email [email protected]
• Calling (703) 591-7130, ext. 113        

All submissions are confidential to RVDA staff and Better Vantage Point and will not be shared beyond those necessary to provide assistance. The RVDA Help Desk & Solution Center is a member-only service, and all dealer inquiries will be handled in accordance with RVDA’s commitment to supporting its members.

“A Help Desk was one of the top needs identified in an RVDA member survey conducted earlier this year,” said RVDA President Phil Ingrassia. “Thanks to the support of the RVDA Board of Directors who approved and funded this new program, the association will collaborate with Better Vantage Point to help troubleshoot commonly asked questions and help with many operational and compliance issues.”

“Running a successful professional dealership is complex, complicated, and perpetual.  Keeping operations running profitably, securely, and legally can feel like trying to tuck an octopus into bed at night while the tentacles keep flopping all over the place,” said Tom Kline, Lead Consultant & Founder of Better Vantage Point | Tuck The Octopus (sm).  “I am looking forward to digging in to help RVDA members relieve many of the anxieties and worries of running their stores and safeguarding their assets.  My job is to help the owner/operators sleep better at night.  I am here to provide them with peace of mind.”

DISCLAIMERS
The RVDA Help Desk & Solution Center provides general business advice and guidance to RVDA members. This service is not a substitute for legal advice and is intended for informational purposes only. The information and assistance provided, whether by RVDA staff or by Better Vantage Point, LLC (BVP), is non-legal in nature. Dealers are encouraged to independently review any advice or suggestions provided and to consult with their own legal counsel or professional advisors as may be necessary.

Better Vantage Point, LLC, as an independent contractor, provides advice and recommendations that do not necessarily reflect the views or input of RVDA. RVDA expressly disclaims any liability for direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages that may arise from reliance on the advice or recommendations provided through the Help Desk & Solution Center. Dealers are solely responsible for decisions made based on the information or guidance provided.

About RVDA

RVDA is the national association representing RV dealers, service centers, and related businesses. RVDA works to promote the interests of its members by providing education, advocacy, and member services designed to foster a strong RV marketplace. For more information, click here.

About Better Vantage Point

Better Vantage Point delivers a robust governance, risk, and compliance program to protect and shelter dealership assets.  With 30+ years as a dealership owner, and almost 100 years in the family dealership business, Tom Kline and Better Vantage Point help great dealers excel even further by relentlessly uncovering exposures and then tirelessly safeguarding to prevent problems before they occur. Tom Kline, Lead Consultant & Founder, is also the author of the recently released book Tuck The Octopus: A Better Vantage Point For Dealership Risk And Compliance. For more information about Better Vantage Point, clickhere. 

The post RVDA Launches Help Desk & Solution Center to Aid Dealers first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Michael J. Nissley, National Director & Vice Chairman of Colliers’ Manufactured Housing and RV Group, with his “deep and longstanding experience in the Canadian manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries,” served as lead advisor in the sale of an institutional seasonal RV resort portfolio in Ontario, Canada, according to a release.

The portfolio represents a substantial share of all institutionally owned RV resort communities in Ontario. Colliers MHRV Group and Bruce Nell, Head of Global MHRV Valuation, worked together with Eastdil Secured to facilitate the transaction. The 13-community portfolio consists of approximately 3,000 total sites, the release continued.

The landmark sale, one of Canada’s largest RV resort portfolio transactions, highlights the industry’s rising global investor interest driven by favorable investment factors and heightened demand for outdoor hospitality. Key investment factors driving interest include the market-driven rent structure, its position as one of the last unconsolidated niche alternative asset classes, exposure to growing demographic segments such as seniors and affordable housing, and diverse business models such as transient, seasonal, and year-round operations.

Nissley is regarded as a renowned MHRV expert, according to the release, and is trusted by top industry leaders to represent them in property dispositions. He has facilitated numerous portfolio transactions across North America. Regarding this sale, Nissley said, “This portfolio offers investors an opportunity to enter the asset class at a meaningful scale, providing both the operational foundation and team structure necessary to overcome the common challenges institutional investors face when entering the RV sector.”

About Colliers’ Manufactured Housing and RV Group

Colliers’ MHRV team stands as the dominant global leader in the niche asset class. In North America, leadership is driven by Michael J. Nissley, National Director of MHRV Brokerage/Capital Markets, and Bruce Nell, Head of Global MHRV Valuation. Colliers MHRV also has a strong European team, based in the UK and a strong presence in Australia. Real estate services include Brokerage, Finance, and Valuation/Appraisal. Our clients are the largest public REITs, pension funds, banks, life insurance companies, private equity firms, family offices, as well as entrepreneurial owner-operators looking to maximize value. The MHRV team consists of professionals with deep experience in private equity, banking, finance, property and asset management, ownership, development and marketing. They have played a key role in the sale, consulting, management, valuation, financing, and appraisal of over $400B and totaling over 20,000+ MHRV properties globally.

About Colliers

Colliers (NASDAQ, TSX: CIGI) is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 68 countries, our 22,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert real estate and investment advice to clients. For more than 29 years, our experienced leadership with significant inside ownership has delivered compound annual investment returns of approximately 20% for shareholders. With annual revenues of more than $4.4 billion and $96 billion of assets under management, Colliers maximizes the potential of property and real assets to accelerate the success of our clients, our investors and our people. Learn more at corporate.colliers.com, X @Colliers or LinkedIn.

The post Collier’s Nissley Advises on $91M Canadian RV Resort Sale first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

From Fox 13, a Seattle, Wash.-based Fox television affiliate: The RV industry says California’s zero-emission rules are driving out business. The report includes comments from Mark Rosenbaum of Mike Thompsons RV Super Stores and Monika Geraci of the RV Industry Association

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

The post Video: RVIA, Mike Thompson’s RV on Calif. Regulations Plight first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

JASPER, Ind. – Meyer Distributing announces new partnership with Dexter.

Dexter is a premier supplier of axles, suspension, brakes, doors, venting products, trailer parts and accessories, and towing components serving the commercial trailer, RV, heavy-duty, marine, agriculture, and manufactured housing markets. Dexter, headquartered in Elkhart, Ind., employs over 3,800 people in the U.S. and Canada, operates 20 manufacturing facilities, and distributes trailer parts and accessories through over 50 company-owned distribution locations.

“We are proud to partner with Meyer Distributing and believe this is the beginning of a long-standing relationship,” commented Andy Jamison, VP of Sales, Distribution and Product Management at Dexter. “We believe this partnership is a great fit for trailer owners seeking USA-manufactured Dexter Genuine axle components and venting products.”

“Meyer’s dedication to our customers continues by partnering with Dexter,” claimed Ben Johnson, Meyer’s Director of Sales – RV, Trailer, Towing & Marine. “Their long-standing quality and variety of products are now available to all customers through Meyer on our coast-to-coast U.S. and Canada delivery network.” 

Meyer Distributing is a complete international automotive and RV/towing distributor. With 109 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.

The post Meyer Distributing Announces New Partnership with Dexter first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: RVBusiness first reported on this acquisition on Dec. 1 (See: “Northern Wholesale to be Acquired by Sun Capital Partners”). Also Northern recently hosted its annual 2025 RV Super Show (See: “Northern Wholesale Supply Hosts ‘Optimistic’ Super Show”).

LINO LAKES, Minn. – Northern Wholesale Supply, LLC (NWS), a leader in RV, marine and power sports parts and accessories distribution, announces the strategic acquisition of substantially all of its assets by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a private equity firm. The affiliate of Sun Capital also acquired the Northern Wholesale Supply, LLC trade name and post-closing the partnership will operate as Northern Wholesale Supply, LLC, according to a release.

This partnership positions the new business to expand its product offerings, solidify its market leadership, and deliver innovative solutions to meet the evolving demands of the RV, marine and powersports aftermarket, the release continued.

A Strategic Alliance for Sustainable Growth

For nearly 40 years, Northern Wholesale Supply has been a trusted name in RV, marine and powersport parts, offering a catalogue of over 30,000 products. This strategic alliance will focus on:

• Operational Excellence: Improving efficiencies with the business’ vendors, including developing and curating vendor’s ecommerce capabilities.
• Expanding Proprietary Product Lines: Developing innovative solutions through proprietary brands of the new business.
• Exploring New Markets: Expanding the reach of the new business across North America to serve vendor partners and customers more effectively.

“This partnership marks an exciting chapter for the Northern Wholesale Supply business,” said Chad Smith, CEO of Northern Wholesale Supply. “With Sun Capital’s resources, we’re not just continuing the legacy of the NWS business—we’re elevating it. Together, the team will drive the innovation and service that NWS’ customers and partners have come to expect.”

Preserving Jobs and Strengthening Communities

The acquisition ensures the preservation of over 200 jobs, reaffirming NWS’s commitment to its workforce and the local community. By combining operational stability with a forward-looking approach, the new business remains committed to delivering exceptional service to customers and partners across the RV, marine and powersport aftermarket.

Building on Success with a Vision for the Future

Matthew Garff, Managing Director & Partner at Sun Capital Partners, Inc., shared, “Northern Wholesale Supply’s leadership in the RV, marine and powersport sectors is a testament to their dedication and innovation. We are thrilled to partner with the new business to unlock new opportunities and expand their impact.”

The new business remains dedicated to delivering value, innovation, and exceptional service as it enters this new phase of growth.

About Northern Wholesale Supply

Founded in 1984, Northern Wholesale Supply, LLC is a premier provider of RV, marine and powersport parts and accessories. Headquartered in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, the company serves customers nationwide with a catalog of over 30,000 products, including its proprietary Extreme Max, Boat Lift Boss and Ultra Legs product lines. For more information, please visit https://northernwholesale.com/

About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a global private equity firm focused on partnering with outstanding management teams to accelerate value creation. Since 1995, Sun Capital has invested in approximately 545 companies worldwide with revenues in excess of $50 billion across a broad range of industries and transaction structures. The firm has built a reputation as a trusted partner, recognized for its operational experience. Sun Capital focuses on defensible businesses in growing markets with tangible performance improvement opportunities in the Services, Food & Beverage and Industrials and Distribution sectors. The firm has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles and New York, and an affiliate with offices in London.

For more information, please visit www.suncappart.com.

The post Sun Capital Completes Northern Wholesale Supply Acquisition first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.