FAIRFAX, Va. – During a workshop at the upcoming RV Dealers Convention/Expo, Mark Goldsmith, a national trainer with iA Dealer Services, will conduct a workshop that will explore the importance of active listening, asking the right questions, and utilizing nonverbal communication to build that relationship with your dealership clients.
Effective communication often is the key to building rapport and trust with a dealership’s customer base.
At 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 13, Goldsmith will lead “The Power of Effective Communication” in the business innovation education track. By the end of the workshop, dealers will be empowered to use communication to lead to improved customer satisfaction, increased sales, and long-term dealership and brand loyalty.
Learning objectives for this session:
How to effectively communicate with customers through multiple mediums to drive positive results
Steps and approaches to understanding customer behaviors and tendencies.
Why some customers are easier to communicate with than others.
About the RV Dealers Convention/Expo
The convention allows North America’s top dealership personnel to forge valuable connections with peers, industry leaders, and potential business partners in the Expo. Dealership professionals can expand their network and gain insights from the best in the RV industry.
The dealer-organized RVDA Convention will provide an in-depth look into the current sales landscape. Attendees will have access to valuable resources to optimize all departments within a dealership, including fixed operations.
To register for the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo click here. Regular updates will be posted on the convention website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
The event is sponsored by RVDA of the U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center.
Companies interested in partnership or sponsorship opportunities can contact Julie Newhouse at (703) 364-5518 or email [email protected].
BAD WALDSEE, Germany – In the 2023/24 fiscal year, the Erwin Hymer Group (EHG) achieved record sales of $3.36 billion and is the market leader in Europe with a market share of 23.6% of new registrations.
In the 2023/24 fiscal year, THOR Industries, the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles, achieved a turnover of $10.04 billion with just over 22,000 employees and 186,908 vehicles sold. The Erwin Hymer Group, as a European subsidiary with close to 8,900 employees and 55,317 vehicles sold, contributed $3.36 billion to the total turnover. The company thus achieved the highest turnover in its history and exceeded expectations, according to a company release.
The Erwin Hymer Group was able to increase its market share of new registrations in Europe by adding 3.5% of market share in the first half of 2024. With a total market share of 23.6% EHG is the leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles in Europe and is ranked first in several categories:
No. 1 in Europe – total recreational vehicles
No. 1 in Europe – motorized recreational vehicles
No. 1 in Europe – camper vans
No. 1 in Europe – urban campers (manufacturers of recreational vehicles without automotive OEMs)
“Our figures demonstrate the attractiveness of our brands and the high demand for our products. In a challenging market environment, we’ve succeeded in achieving our ambitious growth targets and significantly increasing our operating profitability. This gives us the tailwind we need to implement our strategic goals in the areas of sustainability, innovation and digitalization,” said Alexander Leopold, CEO of the Erwin Hymer Group.
About the Erwin Hymer Group
The Erwin Hymer Group is a 100% subsidiary of THOR Industries, the world’s leading manufacturers of recreational vehicles with just over 22,000 employees worldwide. The Erwin Hymer Group unites motorhome and caravan manufacturers as well as motorhome and caravan accessory specialists, hire and financing services under one roof. The motorhome and caravan brands Buccaneer, Bürstner, Carado, Crosscamp, Dethleffs, Elddis, Eriba, Etrusco, Hymer, Laika, LMC, Niesmann+Bischoff, Sunlight and Xplore, the rental companies Crossrent, McRent and rent easy, the chassis specialist Goldschmitt, the accessories specialist Movera and the touring portal freeontour all belong to the Erwin Hymer Group.
DirecTV is buying Dish and Sling, a deal it has sought to complete for years, as the company seeks to better compete against streaming services that have become dominant, according to an Associated Press report.
DirecTV said Monday that it will acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that includes a payment of $1, plus the assumption of debt.
The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, with headlines about reported talks popping up over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked their owners’ then-$18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.
The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming giants, demand for more traditional satellite continues to shrink. And, although high-profile acquisitions have proven to be particularly tough under the Biden-Harris administration, that may make regulators more inclined to approve DirecTV and Dish’s pairing this time around.
DirecTV said Monday that the transaction will help it bring smaller content packages to consumer at lower prices. It’s hoping this will appeal to those who have left satellite video services for streaming. The company said that combined, DirecTV and Dish have collectively lost 63% of their satellite customers since 2016.
ELKHART, Ind. – The RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA) announces the launch of its donation drive in partnership with “I Support the Girls” (ISTG), a charity dedicated to collecting and distributing essential items for women in need. Its mission: “Through an international network of affiliates, I Support the Girls collects and distributes essential items, including bras, underwear and menstrual hygiene products, allowing women and folks experiencing homelessness, impoverishment or distress to stand tall with dignity,” according to a release.
At RVWA’s Open House breakfast, in lieu of traditional breakfast fees, participants were encouraged to donate sanitary products to support ISTG. The donations totaled 11,738 individual products.
Denyse Pontius
“This is a six-month drive, that spans across borders, providing products not only in the U.S. but also in Canada,” enthused Denyse Pontius of Century Chemical, chair of the Community Service Task Force. “Our ambitious goal is to supply products for five women’s lifetimes, which equates to 80,000 sanitary items. With the generous support we’ve received so far, we’re confident we will smash this target and continually strive to exceed it.”
RVWA members can contribute by setting up donation boxes at their workplaces or by shopping from Amazon wish lists, directing products to RVWA’s main donation sites. For those interested in setting up their own donation box or seeking more information, contact Savannah Henry at [email protected].
Susan Carpenter
RVWA President Susan Carpenter, recounted the inspiration behind the drive: “This all came about when Kate Taylor of Thetford, our Events Co-chair, saw an ad for ISTG and brought it to our attention. It just made so much sense. We are given the chance to give another woman a sense of dignity.”
To add an extra layer of excitement, we’re encouraging donation sites to get creative and decorate their donation boxes. This way, they can join in the fun and be part of a lively decorating contest!
The donation drive will culminate in a celebratory breakfast on March 1, 2024 (location to be announced at a later date). This finale event will gather all collected items for a final count and provide a photo opportunity to capture this incredible community effort.
The RV Women’s Alliance invites everyone to join hands in this noble cause and make a tangible difference in the lives of women and folx in need.
Donations Links
Click on the U.S. Flag for U.S.-based donations.
Click on the Canadian flag for Canada-based donations.
About the RV Women’s Alliance
Founded in 2019, the RV Women’s Alliance purpose is to elevate, educate, and promote women in the RV industry, making the RV industry a place where women thrive. Open to anyone in the RV industry who supports our mission, the Alliance has more than 2,500 members from more than 500 companies. The Alliance is headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, with leadership based across the United States and Canada. Learn more at www.rvwa.org.
In a message on its website, Xtreme Outdoors announced it has discontinued production of Little Guy campers.
Liberty Outdoors and its Little Guy brand of teardrop trailers were founded in Ohio by Joe Kicos in 2002. In July 2019, the assets of Liberty Outdoors, now in Pennsylvania, were purchased by Xtreme Outdoors and its principals, Vikram Kaul and Yong Lee.
The message on the www.golittleguy.com website reads:
Xtreme Outdoors is not currently producing any Little Guy campers. The prolonged downturn in RV demand coupled with the loss of a key vendor has forced us to put production on pause and downsize our overall operations and staff substantially. At this point, there is no customer service and it is unclear if and when, we will be back in business.
A heartfelt thank you to all the Little Guy camper owners and others who were part of the journey.
ELKHART, Ind. – Spearheaded by CEO and founder of ASA Tom Irions and 20- year industry veteran Doug Graham Jr., 14Forty Designs LLC introduces itself to the market as an efficient, high-end graphics printing company specializing in vinyl graphics, backlit acrylics, vehicle wraps, marketing POP, signage and more, according to a release.
Kicking off business with the purchase of state-of-the-art large format printers, 14Forty will serve the design and graphic production for all the industries ASA currently serves, the release continued. Offering next-level designs, vibrant colors, quality production techniques, and build-to-order purchasing as mainstays will bring a fresh perspective to their diverse customer base.
The company’s name, 14Forty Designs, reflects the origins of the printing press. With its vintage- style “14” alongside a contemporary font, 14Forty symbolizes the blend of tradition and modernity in the age-old craft of printing.
“I can hardly believe it’s already here — a reality,” said Graham. “I am a testament to the fact that when one door closes, another is opened. Nothing should be the same for too long, and I knew I wanted to change the graphic printing processes to provide solutions for buyer pain points like obligated inventory, mass waste, and more. I approached Tom Irions about the idea, and we ran with it. 14Forty wouldn’t be here without him and the rest of the team at ASA.”
14Forty boasts the most modern equipment in the industry, setting a new standard for suppliers. Printing and fulfilling orders on demand eliminates the necessity for bulk production and excess inventory while ensuring minimal financial commitment and significantly reduced waste. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also eliminates the burden of obligated inventory, benefiting everyone involved.
“I’ve seen so many inefficiencies in my time in printing,” Graham said. “When building this business, I wanted to bring a modern approach to the production process.”
With a collective experience exceeding 80 years in the industry, 14Forty benefits from a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Supported by ASA, a longstanding entity with over 47 years of history and led by CEO Tom Irions, the new company is well-equipped to cater to the recreational, commercial, construction, marine, and agricultural industries.
14Forty Designs, LLC (http://www.14FortyDesigns.com) offers premium visual communication solutions for diverse industries. Established in 2024 under ASA, with roots dating back to 1977, the company continues the tradition of excellence, specializing in vinyl graphics, backlit acrylics, vehicle wraps, marketing POP, signage, and more. The Elkhart, Ind.-based graphics provider draws inspiration from the pioneering spirit of Johannes Gutenberg and is named after the year 1440 when he invented and established the first printing press.
TAMPA, Fla. – It seems “hundreds” of travel trailers are being made available to Florida residents for housing following displacement from their homes by Hurricane Helene, although information regarding where the trailers are coming from is difficult to obtain.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, in a video published online by Tampa Bay NBC affiliate WFLA-TV, said, “We are bringing our first round of travel trailers for people to live in while repairs are being made on their homes.” The WFLA report added, “DeSantis said hundreds of the trailers are already here and hundreds more are coming.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis updates the media in Pasco County.
Meanwhile, Dave Kelly, executive director of the Florida RV Trade Association which works closely with RV dealers statewide, had no information regarding the use of travel trailers for temporary housing.
“I can’t figure this thing out,” Kelly said. “All we hear is that they’re (Federal Emergency Management Administration) going to buy from the area most affected and then go out from there. And they have this approved FEMA vendor list. Almost all of our dealers have signed up for it and they call me and say, ‘When are they going to buy’ and I have to say ‘I don’t know.’ And then they see news reports like this and they call and ask, ‘Where are they buying trailers,’ and again, I have to say, ‘I don’t know.’
He said he has reached out to FEMA but has never been able to get a firm grasp on how the process works.
“I get a little frustrated with the whole FEMA thing,”
For its part, national park and campround association OHI is closely monitoring the situation.
“So, we have received reports from the Southeast showing where the damage is,” OHI President & CEO Paul Bambei, told RVBusiness this morning. “There are reports of death and widespread damage across a wide swath of Helene. Our goal right now is to publish what we consider the five most important things that a campground owner can do to make sure that they have their bases covered on the ground, and we have worked with our member benefit provider, Leavitt Insurance, so that it is coming from an authoritative source, a property insurer. We are also amping up our disaster relief recovery efforts through the OHI Foundation to make a direct appeal for donations and in the process in such a way that we create a little more urgency behind it.”
But it’s too early, he agrees, to actually assess the extent of damage that has occurred.
“I think it was spotty. For instance, the Carolinas have given us a report showing 18 parks that have been damaged in some capacity or another, and we’re in the process of trying to collect information from others as well. Oddly enough, we’re hearing from Florida that the damage was not as severe as expected – not to say that there wasn’t damage. But it wasn’t anything close to what Georgia and the Carolinas and Tennessee experienced. But we’re going to spend the day gathering more information, and we’ll try to direct the funding to those campgrounds that need it most.”
In a press release this morning, OHI Chief Strategy Officer David Bassler noted, “The OHI and CARVC teams have been working closely together since Hurricane Helene to assess the damage across the Carolinas following the storm. More than a dozen parks (that we know of currently) have extensive damage from flooding. We know of at least one campground that has been completely destroyed, and there has been at least one death reported. Most of the campgrounds in the mountains of North Carolina are without power so communicating and getting updates has been difficult.
“These campgrounds need your help. They need assistance to get back on their feet—to clean up, make repairs and in some cases completely rebuild. With all the many disasters we’ve seen in 2024, the OHI Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund needs to be replenished so we can provide this support. If you haven’t been impacted by Helene or another disaster and have the ability to give $10, $50, $100, $500 or more, please do it today. It’s when the entire outdoor hospitality community comes together that we are able to support each other in these times of great need. Please DONATE TODAY to the OHI Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund,” the press release stated.
President & CEO of the Florida RV Park & Campground Association, Bobby Cornwell, said this morning that while it’s difficult to get in touch with parks, he had spoken with a few park owners.
“A lot of it is what you would expect from seeing the news,” he said. “The coastal areas from south of Tampa to Tallahassee, the whole coastal region has had tide surge damaging and flooding. I don’t know exactly the number of parks that were affected, but there were individual stories from five or six parks that were heavily damaged by floodwaters, but a lot of that has already receded.”
He said there was no word of any parks being completely wiped away, but that power outages and flooding were the main concerns.
Mike Shoemaker, who operates at Nature’s Resort, an inland park near Homosassa, is on Cornwell’s board of directors. Cornwell spoke with him after the storm.
“He had a lot of flooding damages. He’s right on a waterway that’s connected to the gulf and his whole park was under water ,” Cornwell said.
Inland park owners in the Big Bend region, where the storm made landfall, reported extensive tree damage from high winds.
Not many parks are located right on the coast where the most severe flooding occurred and many parks don’t have a great deal of structures to be damaged, he said, and he anticipated that most parks would be able to reopen within a couple of weeks after floodwaters recede an cleanup is completed.
He noted that during Hurricane Ian in 2022, several parks were literally wash away.
“That didn’t happen this time,” Cornwell said. “I think most everybody should be able to recover as soon as they dry out. Some of the landscape has changed, for some of these parks that lost trees because of the high winds. A park may not look as pretty for a while, but at least it will still be operational.
Some of the most severe damage occurred in the Big Bend region, he said, in areas such as Cedar Key, where three storms have made landfall within the last 18 months. Those parks suffered major damage, but the area is not densely populated and there are few parks in the area.
Cornwell summed things up this way:
“Overall, most everybody’s going to be OK. Parks will be reopened as soon as power is restored and fortunately the majority of them just have minor damage.”
NOVI, Mich. – The Shyft Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHYF), a North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing today announced in a press release the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report, Focusing Forward, Sustainably. The report outlines strategic efforts in reducing emissions, improving workplace safety, advancing belonging and inclusion, and assessing future climate impacts through the company’s first physical climate risk assessment.
“We take great pride in the progress outlined in our 2024 Sustainability Report. Our efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to sustainability that touches every facet of our operations—including environmental considerations, the safety of our workforce, and our commitment to social responsibility,” said Josh Sherbin, Chief Legal, Administrative, and Compliance Officer. “These milestones reflect our team’s commitment to sustainable growth, and we look forward to accelerating these initiatives in the years ahead.”
The 2024 Sustainability Report builds on previous reports, highlighting Shyft’s progress from fiscal year 2023 into 2024. The company achieved notable advances across its key sustainability pillars—environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance excellence—each integral to creating long-term value for stakeholders, employees, and communities.
Key Highlights of the 2024 Sustainability Report:
Reduction in Emissions: Scope 2 GHG emissions were reduced by 15% year-over-year, driven by energy efficiency improvements.
Blue Arc EV Solutions: Secured an order of 150 Blue Arc EV Trucks from FedEx, supporting the transition to zero-emission transportation.
Enhanced Safety Performance: As part of its Mission Zero safety initiative, Shyft reduced its Total Recordable Incident Rate by 40% and its Lost Time Case Incident Rate by 75%.
Climate Risk Disclosure: The company’s first physical climate risk assessment evaluates the potential impacts of climate change on operations, demonstrating Shyft’s proactive sustainability strategy.
Social Responsibility: Through its Shyft For Good program, the company is committed to donating $100,000 to non-profit organizations focused on health, education, and the environment, reinforcing its role as a responsible corporate citizen.
About The Shyft Group The Shyft Group is the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets. Our customers include first-to-last mile delivery companies across vocations, federal, state, and local government entities; the trades; and utility and infrastructure segments. The Shyft Group is organized into two core business units: Shyft Fleet Vehicles and Services and Shyft Specialty Vehicles. Today, its family of brands include Utilimaster®, Blue Arc EV Solutions, Royal® Truck Body, DuraMag® and Magnum®, Strobes-R-Us, Spartan® RV Chassis, Red Diamond Aftermarket Solutions, Builtmore Contract Manufacturing, and Independent Truck Upfitters. The Shyft Group and its go-to-market brands are well known in their respective industries for quality, durability, and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 3,000 employees and contractors across campuses, and operates facilities in Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Saltillo, Mexico. The Company reported sales of $872 million in 2023. Learn more at TheShyftGroup.com.
NEW YORK, NY – Swavelle Group, a leader in textile and fabric design, has appointed Erin Tsucalas to the role of Vice President of Design, further bolstering its best-in-class leadership team. In this expanded role, Erin will oversee innovation, creative development and a talented team of fabric design specialists. With an insights-led focus, Tsucalas will continue her work elevating Swavelle’s collections while driving growth and setting new standards for the industry.
“We’re proud to promote Erin, giving her a broader platform with which to inspire our people, the industry and design professionals,” said Greg Thomases, CEO of Swavelle Group. “As we advance our leadership team with an eye toward the future, Erin will set the creative direction for all collections, ensuring Swavelle customers have access to the widest variety of extraordinary fabrics to meet every design need with something remarkably beautiful.”
Tsucalas joined Swavelle earlier this year as Design Director with more than 25 years in product development and design for luxury home furnishings working with brands like Lexington Home Brands, Ethan Allen, and Kravet. At Swavelle Group, she has been instrumental in helping set the design direction for new collections that have been well received as customers look to capture more market share.
“I am proud to expand my role at this incredible company alongside such an talented team,” said Tsucalas. “With design at the heart of everything we do, Swavelle has been a trusted leader in textiles for generations. Fabric has power to transform spaces, tell stories, and evoke emotion. It is inspiring to have the resources and depth of expertise here to bring design visions to life for every customer, from residential to commercial.”
About Swavelle Group
With a legacy of more than 50 years meeting the fabric and textile needs of corporations and consumers, the Swavelle Group is one of America’s leading family-owned textile companies. The Swavelle Group brands include Bella Dura, Bella Dura Home, TFA, and Swavelle. Trusted for generations by discerning insiders across the industry, from retail and contract to indoor, outdoor, RV to residential, the Swavelle Group is widely recognized for its unparalleled commitment to quality, exceptional customer service and a remarkable range of on-trend textiles fit for every need. For more information visit Swavelle.com.
Solutions: Secured an order of 150 Blue Arc
