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NOVI, Mich. – AL-KO Vehicle Technology Group, a subsidiary of DexKo Global Inc., plans to open a customer and training center in the United Kingdom in March 2025. The company is thus expanding its European network of customer centres to a total of nine sites.

“The new customer center allows us to expand our service offering for the whole of the UK,” says Guido Kovermann, Senior Vice President Sales Leisure at AL-KO Vehicle Technology Group: “The new site is perfectly in line with our ambitious plans to expand our aftermarket business across Europe for even more customer proximity. AL-KO already offers its aftersales services in customer centers in Sweden, Austria, Italy, France, and Benelux as well as at three sites in Germany.”

Adam Betteridge, UK Aftermarket Sales Manager says: “The site is located in Southam/Warwickshire, adjacent to our busy production facility. Thanks to the close collaboration, we can benefit from that synergy and reduce our administrative expenses. This gives us more time to give our customers even more in-depth support and to expand our range of services. With a fully kitted out workshop, showroom and comfortable waiting area, AL-KO UK really are putting their customers front and center.”

Opening in March 2025, AL-KO has committed a significant investment into its center in a bid to provide direct repairs, consultations, and accessory installations along with an inhouse training facility for their growing dealer network. Having taken on two brand-new build industrial units close to its production facility, AL-KO UK are looking forward to welcoming customers to have their repairs and installations carried out in a warm and welcoming environment.

The customer centre is selling and fitting the products of the group brands AL-KO, E&P, CBE and SAWIKO, including towbars, bicycle and motorbike carriers, levelling systems, air suspensions, maneuvering systems, anti-swaying systems and solar cells. In addition, they will operate their brand new leisure vehicle dealership training academy that will provide certified product and service training to leisure vehicle service technicians across the UK.

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DENVER  –  The Ultimate RV Show – featuring the latest makes and models of new RVs, plus pre-owned inventory is underway at the Colorado Convention Center, according to a press release. The show, presented by Camping World and Good Sam, offers free admission and ends Saturday (Jan. 11).

Show attendees can check out more than 300 fully-staged RVs in all classes, from compact, lightweight tent trailers to travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, Class-A motorhomes and more. The top RV manufacturers will be well represented, including Jayco, Keystone, Forest River, KZ RV, Thor Motor Coach and more. The Ultimate RV Show features both new models and a wide selection of pre-owned inventory, all at show-only special pricing. It’s a rare opportunity to view so many fully-staged RVs from so many different manufacturers, all under one roof.  

RV ownership has surged in popularity and ownership demographics have changed significantly, according to the RV Industry Association. Today, an estimated 11.2 million U.S. households own an RV with ownership split almost equally between those over and under the age of 55. There has been major growth among 18 – 34-year-olds, who now make up 22 percent of the market. Also surprising, the median age of a first time RV buyer dropped to 32, down from 33 last year and 41 the year before.

Many of the RVs at The Ultimate RV Show have new features that appeal to the younger market, such as a large selection of lighter-weight towable models and units with enhanced wi-fi connectivity and other pet- and family-friendly features. This year’s show will feature a new 2025 RV from Keystone that is under 2,500 lbs, so can be towed by any vehicle, as well as high-end fifth wheels and motorized RVs that feel like a “condo on wheels” with the latest luxury finishes, according to the release.

In addition to browsing the newest RVs on the market, attendees can check out the latest in outdoor accessories, learn about campgrounds and resorts in the area, and visit the Kids Zone. Soul Dog Rescue of Lupton, Colo. will be at the show with adoptable dogs and puppies.

The Colorado Convention Center is located at 700 14th Street in Denver. Show hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.

For information, visit https://shows.campingworld.com/ultimate-rv-show-denver-colorado/.

CampingWorld’s Ultimate RV Shows which are happening across the country now through March.

Click here to see a schedule of a dozen more upcoming shows.

The post Camping World’s Ultimate RV Show Now Underway in Denver first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – RV dealership personnel from across the country are headed to the 2025 NTP-STAG Expo in Aurora, Co., next week where fixed operations professionals can get the latest information on training and certification opportunities available through the Mike Molino RV Learning Center. A new online course for RV Service Managers is launching in early 2025, according to a release from the RV Dealers Association (RVDA).

RVDA’s Director of Partnerships Patrick Calpin and RV Learning Center Fixed Operations Consultant Tony Yerman will conduct a special workshop on Monday, Jan. 20 at 4:00 p.m. The workshop will provide an overview of continuing education programs that are ideal for new hires as well as experienced employees looking to enhance existing skills.

In this session, attendees will learn how fixed operations online courses and certification can help parts and service management professionals handle the influx of new and returning customers looking to enhance or repair their towable or motorized product. The workshop will cover how to:

• Efficiently manage the parts and service departments to improve Repair Event Cycle Time (RECT)
• Organize parts and service management workflows
• Deal effectively with difficult customers and improve customer satisfaction
• Improve employee retention through professional development and recognition

The session will also provide information on the new Learning Center’s fifth online training course for service managers. Expected later in 2025, this course will complement the existing online training already available for service writer/advisors, parts specialists, parts managers, and warranty administrator staff. In addition, attendees can learn how to register for free fixed operations certification readiness tests using the RV Fixed Operations Today mobile app.

For more information on RV fixed operation training visit www.rvlearningcenter.com. For more information on the NTP-STAG Expo visit https://expo.ntpstag.com.   

The post RV Learning Center Fixed Ops Workshop Set for NTP-Stag Expo first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

NEW YORK – Octane (Octane Lending, Inc.), the fintech (financial technology) company “revolutionizing the financing experience,” announced its 2024 milestones on its journey to make buying better. The company had a record-breaking year, exceeding its originations targets, expanding its product offering and markets served, diversifying its capital markets strategy, and strengthening its leadership team, according to a release.

Significant Momentum in Octane’s Powersports and RV Business

Octane saw considerable growth in both its powersports and RV business in 2024. The company grew originations through its in-house lender, Roadrunner Financial, Inc., by 36% year-over-year, closing the year at more than $1.6 billion in 2024 originations. Octane also reached several milestones last year, surpassing $4 billion in aggregate originations in February and $5 billion in aggregate originations in September. The company continued to see strong growth in the RV market, doubling its RV originations for the second year in a row. At the same time, it expanded its relationships with key powersports original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), launching full-spectrum financing with both Kawasaki and CFMOTO.

Equity Financing Fuels Product Innovation and Expansion into New Markets

Octane raised $50 million in its Series E funding round, bringing its total equity funding raised since inception to $242 million. This investment fueled the company’s entrance into the marine market with full-spectrum credit coverage. During the course of 2024, Octane introduced over 100 new products and product enhancements to make buying better for dealer partners and their customers, including Dealer Portal 2.0, a significantly upgraded version of its industry-leading dealer platform. Octane’s soft-pull prequalification tools, Octane Prequal and Prequal Flex, continued to help consumers quickly and easily apply for financing with more than 1200 dealers using each tool, respectively; nearly 400,000 powersports applications were sent to partner dealers through the two digital tools. The company also partnered with RideNow, the largest powersports retailer in North America, to launch RideNow Finance, a private label partnership that drives more sales for RideNow Powersports Dealerships through digital tools, full-spectrum financing, and branded lifecycle marketing.

Strong Financial Performance Combined with Historic ABS Transaction Concludes a Successful Year in Capital Markets

Octane continued to diversify its capital markets strategy in 2024. The company completed four asset-backed securitizations (ABS), which were supported by over 100 investors. The first three transactions, OCTL 2024-1, OCTL 2024-2, and OCTL 2024-3, were backed by powersports collateral. The fourth transaction, OCTL 2024-RVM1, was Octane’s first transaction backed wholly by RV and Marine collateral and the first deal of its type in two decades. In addition to completing more than $4 billion of ABS deals to date, other notable 2024 accomplishments include completing a $500 million forward-flow deal with funds managed by AB CarVal, announcing two separate whole loan sales totaling $280 million to Yieldstreet, and completing a $200 million whole loan sale to funds managed by AB CarVal. Octane maintains approximately $1 billion in revolving capacity. Additionally, the company realized strong financial performance in 2024; year-over-year Octane grew top line revenue by 46%, grew profit by 62% (for a gross profit margin of 41%), and increased GAAP net income by approximately 650%, all new record highs*. 

Key Leadership Appointments and New Headquarters in Octane’s 10th Year in Business

In 2024, Octane made several executive appointments, brought in key talent, and garnered recognition for its performance, culture, and leadership. Octane appointed its first President, Steven Fernald, who continues to serve as the company’s Chief Financial Officer in addition to overseeing its Powersports and Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) business, and announced the appointment of a new Chief Risk Officer, Mark Molnar, an executive with over thirty years of risk experience at both established banks and fintech companies.

Octane also strengthened its Sales and Engineering expertise by acquiring the team behind The Lasso, a platform that links car sellers directly to a network of hundreds of top-notch dealerships. Nate Milhalovich, formerly the CEO and co-founder of The Lasso, joined Octane as SVP of New Verticals, along with four talented engineers and salespeople. Octane will leverage Milhalovich and The Lasso team’s technical skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and experience building pipelines and relationships to help Octane strengthen its offering and expand into new markets.

In 2024, Octane celebrated its tenth anniversary, opened a new headquarters in Manhattan, and won nearly 30 awards, including ranking on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies for the third year in a row, making the Technology Fast 500 awarded by Deloitte, LLP for the second year in a row, and being named one of the Best Places to Work in Dallas for the second year in a row. Octane’s CEO and Co-founder, Jason Guss, continued to receive accolades for his leadership and vision, being named an Entrepreneur Of The Year^® 2024 New York Award Finalist for the second time and receiving the Powersports Finance Achievement Award in Leadership.

“The past year was the most successful in Octane’s ten-year history, made possible thanks to the creativity and effort of our team and the ongoing support of our esteemed dealer, OEM, and investor partners,” said Guss. “We intend to build on this momentum in 2025, as we reaffirm our commitment to making buying better through a fast, seamless financing experience.”

Founded in 2014, we have approximately 40 OEM partner brands and 4,000 dealer partners, and a team of over 500 in remote and hybrid roles. Visit www.octane.co.

*Financial performance based on 2024 unaudited company financial statements.

The post Fintech ‘Octane’ Grows Originations by 36% to More Than $1.6B first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Winnebago Industries Inc. (NYSE: WGO), a leading manufacturer of outdoor recreation products, has announced the appointment of Mike Pack, a senior executive for Oshkosh Corporation, to its board of directors, effective Jan. 8.

“Winnebago Industries is committed to continuing to be the trusted leader in outdoor recreation and Mike’s financial and management skillsets, as well as his manufacturing industry expertise, will be invaluable in helping the company achieve its goals,” said David Miles, Winnebago Industries’ board chair. “We welcome Mike to the board and look forward to his guidance and strategic insights in the years to come.”

Pack is an executive vice president at Oshkosh, a global industrial technology company focused on innovating purpose-built vehicles and equipment, where he serves as president of the company’s Vocational segment. In this role, he is responsible for leading all aspects of the segment, which includes Pierce fire trucks, McNeilus refuse and recycling vehicles, and Oshkosh AeroTech airport ground support equipment and jet bridges among other vocational business lines.

Pack has been with Oshkosh Corporation since 2006. During his tenure, he has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and held various domestic and international assignments of increasing responsibility across the organization. Prior to joining Oshkosh Corporation, he was a senior audit manager at Grant Thornton LLP. Pack earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a certified public accountant.

“I am thrilled to join the Winnebago Industries board of directors,” said Pack. “Winnebago Industries includes some of the most iconic brands in the outdoor recreation industry, and I am excited to play a part in advancing the company’s short- and long-term objectives.”

Pack will serve on the Audit Committee and Technology and Innovation Committee of the Winnebago Industries board.

“Mike is a tremendous addition to the board, bringing strong executive leadership and experience to bear,” said Michael Happe, Winnebago Industries’ president and chief executive officer. “I know he embraces our purpose of elevating every moment outdoors and will help bring that ideal to our many customers and stakeholders.”

Pack’s appointment follows the retirement of Richard Moss in December 2024. Moss served on the Winnebago Industries’ board of director for seven years. Kevin Bryant, who has served on the company’s board since 2021, has been appointed to succeed Moss as chair of the Audit Committee.

“On behalf of the board of directors and all of us at Winnebago Industries, we offer our thanks to Rick for his many contributions to our business,” said Happe. “We have benefited tremendously from the rich business perspectives he has brought to the board.”

The post Winnebago Industries Names Mike Pack to Board of Directors first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Harvest Hosts, North America’s largest private RV camping network, has announced significant upgrades to its offerings for 2025, according to a release. These updates aim to further enhance the RV travel experience, making it more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable. The company has introduced new membership options, integrated existing services, and improved technology to streamline the RV travel journey for adventurers across the continent.

Rebuilding the Escapees RV Club Website and Membership Portal

In a major upgrade to its services, Harvest Hosts is revamping the Escapees RV Club website and membership portal, slated for release in March 2025. The new platform promises an improved user experience, featuring a more modern and intuitive interface. This redesign will make it easier for members to access community groups, events, and resources, ensuring a more seamless experience.

The revamped portal will also integrate with Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome accounts, providing users with a unified dashboard and single sign-on functionality. This enhancement means members can manage all their accounts and memberships in one place. By summer 2025, Escapees features will also be available through the Harvest Hosts mobile app, allowing members to stay connected and manage their travel plans on the go.

Introducing the Harvest Hosts Campground Partners Program

One of the most exciting new additions for 2025 is the launch of the Harvest Hosts Campground Partners program. Starting in March, this new network will combine the existing Escapees’ Campground Discount Program with the CampersCard network. This expansion will result in over 1,500 participating campgrounds across North America, offering exclusive discounts and benefits for members.

Members of Harvest Hosts, Boondockers Welcome, and Escapees will automatically gain access to these discounts, making it easier than ever to explore new destinations while saving on camping costs. The addition of the Campground Partners program reflects Harvest Hosts’ commitment to providing RV travelers with diverse, affordable options for camping and exploring.

Escapees Joins the Harvest Hosts All Access Membership

Starting in March 2025, Escapees RV Club will be included in the Harvest Hosts All Access Membership. This unified membership streamlines access to all Harvest Hosts products, allowing RVers to enjoy more adventures with fewer barriers at a great price. For just $179/year, members can enjoy:

– Nearly 6,000 Harvest Hosts locations
– Over 3,600 Boondockers Welcome sites
– Discounts at 1,500+ campgrounds through the new Campground Partners program
– Access to CampScanner discounts
– All Escapees RV Club benefits, including community events, support groups, and educational resources

For members not looking for the full bundle, they are welcome to stick with their existing Harvest Hosts, Boondockers Welcome, or Escapees plans. Harvest Hosts is happy to serve all customers and offer the best program to suit their travel needs.

“At Harvest Hosts, we believe in giving our members more value without raising costs,” said Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts. “2025 is all about making RV travel easier, more affordable, and more fun—whether that’s through better technology, more places to stay, or bringing Escapees into the fold.”

About Harvest Hosts

Harvest Hosts, the largest private RV camping network in North America, provides a complete network of offerings to streamline the road travel and camping experience. Its collection of companies includes Boondockers Welcome, a community of RVers allowing guests to stay overnight on their property for free; Escapees RV Club, one of the largest and most established RV membership organizations, offering resources, education, and community for all RVers; CampScanner, an alert service to book sold-out campgrounds; and Brit Stops, a membership connecting motorhome tourists in the UK and Ireland with small businesses for overnight stays.

The company’s mission is to advance the technology and accessibility of the RVing and campground industry, making traveling while supporting national parks, local small businesses, and communities easier than ever.

To learn more, visit: http://www.harvesthosts.com/, http://www.boondockerswelcome.com/, http://www.britstops.com/, and http://www.escapees.com/; download the Harvest Hosts app on iOS here: https://apps.apple.com/ and  Android here: https://play.google.com/.

The post Harvest Hosts Introducing ‘Exciting Enhancements’ in 2025 first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

At the 2025 Arrow Distributing show, RVBusiness had an opportunity to speak with Rich Elliott, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Progress Manufacturing, a hitch and towing company based out of Provo, Utah and a subsidiary of DexKo Global Inc.

RVBusiness: The Equal-i-zer product has won Trailer Life’s Reader’s Choice Award numerous times. Why has that been important?

Elliott: Yes, so Trailer Life has evolved from that title to RV Magazine and now Wild Sam. For 13 years they have held an annual award chosen by readers where they get to pick their favorite awning, hitch or other product. We’re 13-for-13 with Equal-i-zer winning each time, which is why we claim that Equal-i-zer is America’s favorite hitch because in the court of public opinion, they have spoken, and said Equal-i-zer is our favorite.

RVB: What is it about the product and/or company that has helped lead to those wins?

Elliott: You get American-made quality, and low warranty issues for dealers and consumers. We’re primarily known for our quality, function and performance.

RVB: We are here at the 2025 Arrow Distributing show in New Orleans. Three years ago, Progress was acquired by Dexter Axle. What have been some of the challenges in the industry that the aftermarket has experienced over the last few years with pricing and, some say, dealers getting squeezed?

Elliott: It’s kind of funny, for a time, you couldn’t get anything hitches, trailers – you name it. Then, almost overnight, you went from nothing to having a year’s supply of it. I think inventory levels have been a challenge, interest rates have been a challenge, and DeMinimis (in which imported goods under a certain dollar amount are exempt from tariffs) has impacted RV parts stories as well. All these things have pinched dealer margins.

RVB: Following that thought on dealer’s getting pinched on margin and points with certain parts and accessories, inflation has been a point of stress not only in our industry but all industries across the country. Consumers have been feeling it in their pockets with their recreational dollars. What is Progress doing here at the Arrow show to help dealers?

Elliott: We were talking to a dealer not long ago about some of these challenges and how we wanted to make some price changes, and they called it a “revolution.” We loved that word and we’re calling it a “price revolution.’ We have dropped our price significantly on the Equal-i-zer and the E2hitch.

We didn’t change where we manufacture it or how we make it, it’s the same product at a new price. We are making hitching great again. The prices are going back to what they were during the first Trump administration.

We are not changing the retail price, so all that margin is going into the dealers’ pockets. This is how we are trying to help solve that problem for dealers with hitches. We’ve always delivered good margins, but now they are out of this world.

RVB: We are at the beginning of distributor show season. Dealers are flying across the country to order things they need for their retail stories. What has been the initial response here at the Arrow show?

Elliott: Outstanding. People are loving it. Inventory is the name of the game and dealers’ pockets have been understandably tight when it comes to spending. With this price change, it has opened the door for dealers to spend. Our numbers are up in comparison to other years despite the price change even down in price. The dealers who do carry our product appreciate the change and those who don’t are starting to say, I need to look at that pricing and reconsider.

RVB: Outside of this beginning season, how long will this price revolution last?

Elliott: The prices will certainly be sweetened for show season, but the prices will still be lower after show season than they were last year. But we have incentivized dealers to buy now.

The post Progress Manufacturing Brings a ‘Price Revolution’ to 2025 first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, joins Rick Kessler and Sherm Goldenberg of RVBusiness for a Capitol Talk discussion on the association’s recent legislative successes – including the EXPLORE Act and the Great American Outdoors Act – as well as other ORR initiatives.

The RVBusiness Capitol Talk video series is sponsored by Airxcel Inc.

The post Capitol Talk: Jessica Turner & Outdoor Recreation Roundtable first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ELKHART, Ind. – For 100 years, Dometic has been at the forefront of mobile living, driven by one bold idea: making life on the move easier, according to a release. It all began in 1924 with the invention of absorption refrigeration—a groundbreaking technology that made cooling possible without electricity — which was later mass produced in 1925. This innovation transformed mobile living, allowing travelers and adventurers more of the comforts of home while on the road.

Since then, Dometic has led the way in redefining what’s possible in mobile living. From RV refrigerators and air conditioning to mobile cooking and smart RV control systems, every decade has introduced game-changing advancements that support the needs of modern adventurers. This legacy of innovation continues into 2025 as Dometic prepares to unveil the next generation of mobile living solutions at the Florida RV Supershow and NTP-STAG tradeshows this January.

The innovations on display at these events are a testament to Dometic’s unwavering commitment to deliver meaningful innovations that enhance the experiences of end-users, empower dealers, and support OEMs. This dedication will come to life through several new product displays that highlight advancements in cooling, ventilation, and dealer resources, underscoring Dometic’s role in shaping the future of mobile living.

As Dometic celebrates its 100-year legacy, it’s clear that the journey is far from over. This is not just about products; it’s about a vision for the future of mobile living. Dometic’s presence at the Florida RV Supershow and NTP-STAG tradeshows is a chance to see how a century of engineering excellence is being channeled into groundbreaking solutions. For those who embrace the call of adventure, the future starts here.

Join Dometic this January and be among the first to witness what’s next. Visit us at the Florida RV Supershow and NTP-STAG tradeshows to see how we’re shaping the next century of “Mobile living made easy.”

About Dometic

Dometic is a global market leader in the mobile living industry. Millions of people around the world use Dometic products in outdoor, RV, and professional applications. Our motivation is to create smart, sustainable, and reliable products with outstanding design for an outdoor and mobile lifestyle. Dometic is a publicly listed company headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

Media Contact: Sara Dover, Brand Manager of Activation at Dometic, [email protected], 574-336-4594

The post Dometic Celebrates a Century of Mobile Living Innovation first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.