Aboutcamp BtoB - issue 39

Editor’s note

As anticipated in the previous editorial, this issue of Aboutcamp BtoB is particularly focused on the Australian market. We attended the Melbourne fair and visited one of the most organized, integrated and successful companies Down Under: Jayco Australia. We are confident that our readers will find interesting insights in this extensive report, including some suppliers who might be interested in expanding into this vibrant market.

Unfortunately, there is no good news from the USA, where the recreational vehicle industry has experienced a significant downturn in the first quarter of 2023, with March seeing a sharp decline in total RV shipments: -50.8% compared to the previous year. This downward trend reflects the challenges faced by the industry, including inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. To date, total RV shipments have declined by -54.3% in 2023. Despite the challenging market conditions, the RV industry in North America remains resilient and is focused on adapting to the changing needs of consumers. Towable RVs have been hit the hardest, experiencing a decline of 53.7% in shipments compared to the same period last year, while motorhomes witnessed a relatively smaller decline of 20.2%.

On the other hand, Europe is faring better. Data from ECF (European Caravan Federation) for the first quarter indicated a slight decline compared to the same period in 2022, more pronounced for the caravan sector (-13.5%) while motorhomes have held relatively steady (-3.9%). Germany is performing very well, remaining an extraordinary market with even an increase for the total number of recreational vehicles registered

Contents

Interviews

• 42 Gerry Ryan Jayco Australia

Columns

• 58 AL-KO

System-relevant carriers

• 60 SEEKR by Caframo

Fan ventilation

• 62 Indel B

Great little fridge

• 64 Vetroresina

High quality, low weight

• 66 Maller

Celebrating 50 years

• 70 Teleco

Telair EcoEnergy Lithium

(+3.1). The United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands are also holding up well, with negative declines only in single digits, while the markets of France (-11.1%), Spain (-13.9%), and Italy (-15.1%) are declining more significantly. The negative trend is becoming concerning, however, for Scandinavian countries, with Denmark (-24.8%) and Sweden (-35.2%) leading the way, along with Switzerland (-27.7%) and Austria (-30%). As usual, every year we publish the market report for the last 10 years for each European country. The analysis of the Australian market data compared to European data reveals intriguing insights that shed light on the similarities and differences between these two regions. Moreover, you can also discover fascinating insights into products, technologies, and interviews with key market players.

As you delve into these pages, our team is tirelessly crafting the upcoming August issue, which previews the Düsseldorf Trade Fair. This edition promises to be an extraordinary compilation, brimming with exclusive previews of what exhibitors from the Technology & Components sector will unveil at this unique German show. Prepare yourself for an immersive experience that will showcase the latest innovations, inspiring industry professionals, and provide an invaluable glimpse into the future of the market.

Antonio Mazzucchelli

• 46 Philip Kahm Westfalia

• 50 Jarod Lippert Lippert

• 54 Anthony Wollschlager Airxcel

Report

• 22 Victorian Supershow 2023

Seventy years of Melbourne Supershow

• 72 LAM

Automotive quality

• 74 Whale

Heat Air products

• 76 H.B. Fuller - Apollo

Fast-tack technology

• 78 Wallas-Marin Oy

Winter’s heroes

• 80 Bartolacci design

Playing with light

• 82 Ravago Building Solutions Performance enhancement

Focus

• 36 Jayco Australia

Impressive production facilities

Market

• 84 European RV registrations

Market shows signs of slowing down

T estimonials

• 88 Insights from the industry

News from the world

• 94 North America

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Positive vibe at annual ECF meeting in The Netherlands

The European Caravan Federation (ECF) organized their 45th Annual General Meeting and their 28th Meeting of the European Leisure Vehicle Industry in the Dutch city of Utrecht last May 12. Although 2022 was a though year for the industry because of the challenges in the supply chain, there was a positive vibe among the 140 attendees. Hosted by the Dutch caravanning industry association KCI a variety of speakers from across Europe -and even from the United States- presented their view on the current and future camping landscape. During the General Meeting ECF made clear that the supply chain problems that arose in recent years started to fade away in Q1 of 2023

Editorial

Editor in Chief: Antonio Mazzucchelli direttore@aboutcamp.eu

Art director: Federico Cavina

Editorial team: Renato Antonini

John Rawlings - Terry Owen - Enrico Bona

Steve Fennell - Paolo Galvani - Giorgio Carpi

Peter Hirtschulz - Andrea Cattaneo

Bartek Radzimski - Irene Viergever

Web team: Maurizio Fontana - Gabriel Lopez

Advertising

Sales International: direzione@fuorimedia.com

Sales Italy: Giampaolo Adriano +39 338 9801370 adriano@fuorimedia.com

Web edition

Print edition

and production figures are now clearly up, to pre-covid levels. For manufacturers of motorhomes and caravans sustainability is a big topic, especially with regard to the upcoming Euro7 emissions standard and the uprise of alternative fuels. ECF board members elaborated on those issues and on their efforts to influence EU decision making, on these topics as well as on the proposed rise of the maximum weight for motorhomes to 4,250 kilograms for holders of the B driving license. Troy James (senior VP at Thor Industries) and Alexander Leopold (CEO at Thor-owned Erwin Hymer Group) took the audience along into all of the differences between the US and European caravanning and RV market. Alexander Wottrich, co-CEO at Truma Group and grandson of the company’s founder, shared his views on technical innovations. KCI board member and Thetford marketing manager Norbert van Noesel presented the promotional efforts of the Dutch industry association on promoting camping, followed by trend researcher Adjied Bakas, who also was on stage last time around in Utrecht, ten years ago. University professor Carlo van de Weijer gave his view on sustainable recreational mobility and Stan Stolwerk, director of NKC, the Dutch association of over 65,000 motorhome ownersm takes a prominent role towards sustainability and co-operation with manufacturers and other suppliers.

The full report will be published in the next issue of Aboutcamp BtoB. Don’t miss it!

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Aboutcamp BtoB helps professionals in the caravan/RV and leisure industry around the world keep up to date with all the latest business news and market trends in this sector. It’s the most well informed source of B2B information in the caravan industry, with a unique global perspective and an international team of correspondents delivering daily news online at www.AboutcampBtoB.eu, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, and a high quality print magazine delivered (free) in Europe, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, China, Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Chile. The Aboutcamp BtoB magazine is published four times a year with features including exclusive interviews with senior management from the industry, reviews of the major exhibitions around the world, and reports about the latest market trends, plus in-depth profiles of OEM suppliers who specifically manufacture components for this sector. With all the recent acquisitions, new technological developments and more and more consumers buying leisure vehicles around the world, Aboutcamp BtoB is essential reading for everyone working in any business related to the caravan industry. While so many flock to the internet, and have an inbox full of emails, Aboutcamp BtoB decided to print a paper magazine so that it gets more noticed, read, appreciated and discussed; so, we wish you happy reading!

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Aboutcamp BtoB is also a website updated daily with news and information dedicated to RV builders and OEM producers. The website is supported by a professional newsletter sent monthly to the professionals in the RV sector. We also strengthened our presence on LinkedIn, where we manage the business page of the magazine but also the group “Caravanning Professional” which allows us to develop direct and informal relationships with decision-makers in the RV industry.

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Carthago opens new Malibu van plant in Slovenia

The Carthago Group held an inauguration ceremony at its new plant in Ormož, Slovenia which will manufacture its Malibu Van range. This is Carthago’s second plant in Slovenia (in addition to its plant at Odranci) and represents a total investment of 50 million Euros, with 300 jobs expected to be created by the end of next year. This shows that Carthago is continuing to expand, even during times of political and economic uncertainty.

The guest list at the inauguration ceremony included the Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar and Matjaž Han, the Minister for Economy, Tourism and Sport, which indicates

Dometic wins ISPO AWARD 2023

Dometic has won an ISPO AWARD for its GO Hydration Water Faucet and matching Water Jug which provides a universal smart water supply solution for outdoor adventures thanks to its water-saving rechargeable electric faucet and space-saving jug.

The ISPO Award jury said the following about the Dometic Hydration Water Faucet: “A small invention with big benefits. The Hydration Water Faucet is as easy to use as it sounds, just press the button and the exact amount of water you need is dispensed. Undoubtably, this was a key factor in our AWARD decision. For outdoor adventurers looking to go further and stay out longer, this is a worthwhile purchase.”

The innovative Hydration Water Faucet is part of Dometic’s GO collection of products designed to be easily stowed, packed, combined and transported. Practical and robust products including a table, chairs and stackable storage boxes.

the importance of the Carthago Group in Slovenia and the strategically important connection between the German motorhome manufacturer and its locations in the country. They were accompanied by Danijel Vrbnjak, the Mayor of Ormož, plus the management of Slovenian company Carthago d.o.o, and the entire management of the Carthago Group, including founder and owner Karl-Heinz Schuler.

Karl-Heinz Schuler emphasised the close relationship between the locations in Germany and Slovenia in his speech:

“In addition to our headquarters in Aulendorf/Upper Swabia, the plants in Odranci and now in Ormož constitute a supporting and indispensable pillar of the Carthago Group. Without the foothold in Slovenia, the Carthago Group wouldn’t be what it is today: one of Europe’s most successful manufacturers of premium category motorhomes.”

The new, highly specialised and state-of-the-art plant in Ormož in the north east of Slovenia has been built on a green field site covering an area of approximately 100,000 square metres. The manufacturing facilities include a joinery, a pre-assembly facility and an assembly facility, as well as logistics.

The new plant will have an annual capacity of about 3,000 Malibu Vans. Approximately 180 people will be employed in Ormož when production starts. This number is expected to increase to about 300 employees by the end of the first full year of production in 2024.

Caravan industry in Germany records stronger first quarter in 2023 than previous year

The association for the caravan industry in Germany (the CIVD), says that in the first quarter of 2023, the industry recorded a total of 23,770 new registrations of leisure vehicles, exceeding the previous year’s result by around 3.1 percent. It says that the continued interest in caravan and motorhome travel and the improved availability of vehicles is making the industry optimistic for the caravanning year 2023 at the start of the season. This is the second-best result ever for this period. New registrations of motor caravans rose by 5.7 percent to 18,479 units while the caravan segment recorded a decline compared with the previous year, with 5,291 new registrations (-5.1 percent). These results are an initial indicator that motor caravan production is recovering from the challenges of the previous year. The enthusiasm of Germans for caravanning as a form of holidaying continues to be strong, while high demand for rental vehicles indicates that interest among newcomers also remains high. Therefore, these positive developments are encouraging for the caravanning industry in Germany which is starting the caravanning year 2023 with optimism after a very challenging

2022. Supply shortages were particularly noticeable in motor caravans production last year, as the division suffered from an acute shortage of vehicle chassis. Demand for new motor caravans far exceeded supply on the market. The latest new registration figures therefore give cause for optimism for the remainder of the year: with 18,479 new registrations in the first quarter, the division exceeded the previous year’s level by 5.7 percent. Numerous manufacturers are now focusing on a broader range of brands for their base vehicles, which has improved the supply situation for vehicle chassis compared with the previous year. Caravan production benefited from the lack of vehicle chassis for motor caravans in 2022: manufacturers producing both vehicle types used their open production capacities to build more caravans. Accordingly, the division not only closed 2022 with an increase in production, but also recorded rising new registration figures in the autumn and winter. Many of the new caravans were exported. In the first quarter of 2023, the caravan sector, with a total of 5,291 new registrations, was around 5.1 percent below the result for the same period of the previous year.

Erwin Hymer Group signs agreement for 6,000 Volkswagen Crafter vans

The Erwin Hymer Goup has concluded an agreement with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) for 6,000 Crafter panel vans as the base vehicles for EHG brand camper vans. The agreement was signed by Alexander Leopold, CEO Erwin Hymer Group, and Lars Krause, Member of the Brand Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing at VWCV. The vehicles will be delivered to the Erwin Hymer Group from 2024.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a leading manufacturer of light commercial vehicles and a brand of Volkswagen Group. The Erwin Hymer Group is the European subsidiary of Thor Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of recreational vehicles. At the signing of the contract, Lars Krause announced: “We are delighted to have gained the Erwin Hymer Group

as a new partner that will offer its own camping solutions using our vehicles as the basis. We see the Crafter panel van as a benchmark in its class. It offers

In recent years, caravans and campervans have become a lifestyle topic that inspire people across all age groups. Young target groups and families in particular appreciate the flexibility and everyday usability of compact camper vans. This development is also reflected in the number of vehicle registrations. In 2020, campervans recorded a 44 per cent share in motorhome registrations in Europe. This increased to 50 per cent in 2021 and grew once more to 54 per cent in 2022.

plenty of space and great flexibility for a wide range of solutions and is a first step in our collaboration. We are also looking forward to discussing further projects for other vehicles, such as the Crafter chassis and T6.1 successor.”

Alexander Leopold: “With the Crafter as a base vehicle, we are in an even better position to meet the strong demand for powerful and compact camper vans. In addition, we can very well imagine joint projects with our partner Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in areas such as alternative drive systems, for example.”

CIVD update on EU Commission B-licence policy

For several years, the caravaning industry has been campaigning for the expansion of the B-licence policy #Führerscheins to 4.25 tonnes. The European Caravan Federation (ECF) is actively involved in the deliberations of the EU commission and is an important point of contact for decision-makers in Brussels. The concerns of the caravanning industry are therefore heard at EU level. On 1 March, the EU Commission published its draft for the 4th driving licence policy #Führerscheinrichtlinie. The draft also takes up the extension of the B driving licence, but limits this to vehicles with alternative drives. From the point of view of the caravanning industry, the CIVD has the view that this restriction is not expedient and must be revised, because the existing fleet must be urgently considered and the expansion to 4.25 tons for all vehicles must be possible.

Thetford launches new website

Thetford has launched a new website that is easier to use for both consumers and commercial users. Market research showed that there were two different types of visitors to the Thetford website: those with a service demand who typically query how a product works, how to maintain a product or how to fix a product, and those with a commercial need.

Wendy Dujardin, Services Manager at Thetford: “Not every end-user is aware of their product model. In the past they had trouble finding the right one and therefore finding the right answer to their questions. A service wizard now supports our customers, leading them to all relevant documentation per product series, all in one place. This will help our end users to become far more self supporting in case of service questions.” The renewed website also offers a more inspirational commercial journey. Norbert van Noesel, Marketing Manager at Thetford said: “Although Thetford offers no direct sales to end-users, we like to guide our customers to have the best RV and camping experience and find the right products to support this experience. This is more than just showing products, it’s about bringing people in an inspirational environment. Our new approach from areas of use, supported by lifestyle photography, creates a refreshing visual design.” The new website can be experienced at www.thetford.com.

LCI Industries first quarter 2023 report

LCI Industries (“Lippert”) has reported first quarter 2023 results which show that in its RV OEM business channel, net sales were $400.1 million in the first quarter, down 62% year-over-year, driven by a nearly 55% decline in North American wholesale shipments for the quarter compared to same quarter in 2022.

“Despite wholesale RV declines, revenue and content per unit are substantially above pre-COVID levels. By leveraging our strong R&D capabilities, we are aggressively working to expand market share through product innovations to meet consumer demand for high-quality, sophisticated content,” commented Jason Lippert, LCI Industries’ President and Chief Executive Officer.

Lippert’s content per North American travel trailer and fifth-wheel RVs for the twelve months ended March 31, 2023, increased 21% year-over-year to $5,881. Its continued execution of a diversification strategy meant that North American RV OEM net sales were now less

than 48% of total net sales for 12 months ended March 31, 2023. Consolidated net sales for the first quarter of 2023 were $973.3 million, a decrease of 41 percent from 2022 first quarter net sales of $1.6 billion. Net income in the first quarter of

2023 was $7.3 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, compared to net income of $196.2 million, or $7.71 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2022. EBITDA in the first quarter of 2023 was $52.5 million, compared to EBITDA of $301.5 million in the first quarter of 2022. Additional information regarding EBITDA, as well as a reconciliation of this non-GAAP

financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure of net income, is provided in the “Supplementary Information – Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” section below. The decrease in year-over-year net sales for the first quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by decreased North American RV wholesale shipments and decreased selling prices which are indexed to select commodities, partially offset by acquisitions. Net sales from acquisitions completed in the twelve months ended March 31, 2023 contributed approximately $28.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. The Company’s average product content per travel trailer and fifth-wheel RV for the twelve months ended March 31, 2023, increased $1,027 to $5,881, compared to $4,854 for the twelve months ended March 31, 2022. The content increase in towables was primarily a result of organic growth, including pricing and new product introductions, market share gains, and acquisitions.

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Dimatec with Nova Leisure to expand in UK

Dimatec, a global manufacturer of instrumentation, accessories and spare parts for the RV sector, in particular in the field of on-board and external lighting for campers and caravans, has announced an important new partnership with Nova Leisure, a distributor of caravan and motorhome equipment in the UK market. This new alliance will bring benefits to customers in terms of availability of materials and in after-sales service and technical assistance.

“The United Kingdom has a very solid internal market, with its own needs, in which we have already been successfully present for many years,” said, Alexander Vohwinkel, Export Manager of Dimatec: “Nova Leisure represents for us a strategic partner in this sector, with a great experience both technically and of the needs of its specific market. We are confident that this synergy will be an immediate advantage for customers and will give impetus to further consolidation of both companies in the UK market”.

AMA revenues up for third consecutive year: +24% in 2022

AMA closed the 2022 financial year with €289 million in consolidated revenues, up for the third consecutive year, and +24% compared to the previous year. UniCredit and Crédit Agricole Italia, together with SACE, are supporting the growth strategies of the Emilia-based company. With 18 production units, 15 distribution branches and four sales offices in which 1,650 people work in synergy, the Group aims to expand its product range with a view to long-term sustainable development, respecting the environment and future generations.

Unicredit and Crèdit Agricole Italia have supported the company by disbursing two six-year loans, for a total of €20 million , resources that will enhance the production units and accelerate the growth in size of the Group. Both operations saw the intervention of SACE with the SupportItalia guarantee and for the financing of UniCredit, and also of CDP.

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Trigano acquires Alonso dealer group and Abalain

Trigano has entered into exclusive negotiations for the acquisition of almost 100% of the capital of the companies Loisirs Evasion, Loisirs 40, Loisirs 47 and ATC 64 (Alonso group). It is also acquiring 100% of the capital of the companies Bretagne Camping-Cars, Bretagne Camping-Cars Quimper, SO.DI.CA. and Britways Car (Abalain group) – motorhome distributor in Brittany. Alonso group is a motorhome distributor in south-western France, it employs around 40 people and achieved a total turnover of around €30M in 2022 from its four sales outlets. Given the level of Trigano’s sales to these companies, the contribution to consolidated sales resulting from this acquisition would be around €25 million. These acquisitions are fully in line with Trigano’s development strategy through external growth. The integration of Alonso group would complete the territorial coverage of the Libertium network, which already consists of 50 outlets in France.

New marketing manager at Lippert Europe

Francesca Tompetrini has a new role as Marketing Manager Caravanning and Rail at Lippert Europe with responsibility for the marketing team and reporting to the Vice President of Sales Caravanning EMEA, Lorenzo Manni. Francesca has a Degree in Communication and started her career at Lippert in 2017.

“Francesca has always had a great passion for Communication and Marketing area, expressing professionalism and ability to manage projects in the Caravanning and Railway sectors, as well as the constant desire to grow and improve,” says Lorenzo Manni. “We are sure that in her new role she will contribute to achieving Lippert’s growth and sales objectives and to increasingly promote and develop strategic communication and brand identity and awareness.”

Dometic’s first quarter 2023 report says market conditions were ‘extremely challenging’

Net sales were SEK 7,289 m (7,518); a decrease of -3%, of which -13% was organic growth. Operating profit (EBITA) before items affecting comparability was SEK 847 m (1,114), corresponding to a margin of 11.6% (14.8%). Items affecting comparability were SEK -26 m (-159). Profit (loss) for the quarter was SEK 334 m (494). Operating profit (EBITA) was SEK 821 m (955), corresponding to a margin of 11.3% (12.7%). Operating profit (EBIT) was SEK 667 m (812), corresponding to a margin of 9.2% (10.8%). Comment on Dometic’s first quarter 2023 results by Juan Vargues President and CEO: “The first quarter result 2023, with a solid double-digit EBITA margin despite extremely challenging market conditions and macroeconomic uncertainty, shows how our strategic initiatives are transforming Dometic into a more diversified and resilient company. RV industry production in the US declined by 54 percent year to date, while high retailer inventory levels continued to affect our Service & Aftermarket business globally. In this environment, net sales for the quarter reached SEK 7,289 m (7,518) and both the Marine and Global segments reported organic net sales growth. For the Group, organic net sales declined by 13 percent. Service & Aftermarket organic net sales declined by 19 percent, a sequential improvement compared with the fourth quarter of 2022. We expect a

continued gradual improvement over the coming quarters. Operating cash flow improved significantly to SEK 294 m (-398), supported primarily by sequentially reduced inventories. EBITA before items affecting comparability was SEK 847 m (1,114), corresponding to a margin of 11.6 percent (14.8). The decline was attributable to the EMEA and Americas segments, while the margin improved in the APAC, Marine and Global segments.

site in Hungary, continued to have an adverse impact on the EMEA result. We are taking additional measures to improve the results in EMEA and Americas, and expect to see gradual improvements in 2023. The global restructuring programs announced in 2019 and 2022 are continuing at high pace, and today there are 14 percent fewer FTEs (full-time equivalents) in the company than a year ago. At the same time we are increasing our investments in product development and in strategic structural growth areas such as Mobile Power Solutions and Mobile Cooling.”

The margin for the Americas segment continued to be negatively impacted by significantly lower net sales in both RV OEM and Service & Aftermarket. The sales mix, with a lower share of Service & Aftermarket net sales, also had a negative effect on the margin for the EMEA segment. In addition, extraordinary logistics-related costs and inefficiencies in manufacturing linked to the factory transfer from Germany to our existing

“We are optimistic about the long-term trends in the Mobile Living industry, however it is difficult to predict how the current macroeconomic situation will impact the business in the short term. We anticipate a gradual recovery in demand in Service & Aftermarket over the coming quarters, and continued stable development in the Distribution sales channel. In the OEM sales channel we foresee a gradual weakened demand over the coming quarters, with the exception of RV Americas where we expect to see a stabilization in demand by the end of the year. In this environment we will continue to drive our strategic agenda to deliver on our targets, while at the same time remaining agile to quickly respond to short-term market trends.”

Caravan Salon Düsseldorf 2023 set to be highlight of the year for the caravan industry

The Caravan Salon Düsseldorf 2023 (25 August to 3 September) has already received more enquiries from potential exhibitors compared to last year and is set to be the highlight of the year for the caravan industry.

This leading caravanning trade fair occupies 16 halls at the Düsseldorf Messe, plus outside display areas, and is when the sector presents its new products and innovations for the future, and also sets standards for the quality and diversity of the products on display.

“We are very satisfied with the registrations received so far. Requests from national and international exhibitors have increased again against the previous year and we

have already had to set up waiting lists in many segments. Caravan Salon is the highlight of the year for visitors and exhibitors and undisputedly THE meeting point for the entire industry with guests from all continents. It is and will be the showcase for innovations because in Düsseldorf the trends and innovations of the coming season and beyond are presented,” says Caravan Salon Director Stefan Koschke. In addition, there is a great entertainment and information programme that is perfectly oriented towards mobile leisure. The popular “StarterWelt”, the Special “Abenteuer Selbstausbau/Adventure

DIY”, the “Travel & Nature connected” stage, the Dream Tours cinema plus many other attractions are all part of the inviting line-up at Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. The ranges are rounded off by accompanying high-quality side events for the caravanning industry.

Bailey of Bristol with Ford Pro for its first campervan conversion

The UK caravan and motorhome manufacturer, Bailey of Bristol (Bailey) has announced it will be introducing its first van conversion in October this year. It will be based on the Ford Transit and called Endeavour. It is also working on a concept van conversion based on the all-electric Ford E-Transit. Bailey became an official Ford Pro Converter in August 2022, following its first collaboration with Ford for its best-selling Adamo coachbuilt motorhome range in 2020. The success of the Adamo model has lead Ford to become Bailey’s leading base vehicle supplier. Members of the Bailey Product Development Team recently presented its first pre-production Endeavour model to the Ford Pro Special Vehicle Team for evaluation at Ford UK headquarters in Dunton, Essex.

WEVC eCV1 3.5T electric van starts real-world testing

The British-designed and built WATT eCV1 prototype 3.5 tonne light commercial vehicle from the Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) has started an intensive real-world testing programme. Designed for production of up to 5,000 vehicles per annum, the innovative and highly flexible vehicle is suitable for a wide range of electric commercial vehicle designs and specialist vehicle converters. WEVC signed a MoU with electric commercial vehicle specialist, ETRUX, earlier this year who has designed and built a body for the WATT eCV1 3.5 tonne cab and chassis unit. The next step is for WEVC’s electric vehicle platform technology to be adapted by ETRUX into a range of offerings for the commercial vehicle market. It could also suit a conversion to a recreational vehicle. The vehicle uses WEVC’s PACES architecture, a sophisticated and cost-effective modular electric vehicle platform designed to support commercial vehicle manufacturers, specialist vehicle converters and fleet operators in the transition to an electric future.

AL-KO Vehicle Technology adds seventh Customer Centre to its European network

AL-KO VT has expanded its European customer centre network with the addition of a customer centre in Ramsau in Austria. This joins the group of six other centres in Germany, the Netherlands, France and Italy. “The newly opened customer centre in Ramsau in the Zillertal valley in Austria is another step towards even greater customer proximity and is a first-class addition to AL-KO VT’s closeknit service network in Europe,” says Günther Schöllenberger, Managing Di-

rector at the Ramsau site. “Our caravanning customers can now have their vehicles retrofitted with high-quality accessories in a great holiday area. Due to its optimal geographical location on the north-south axis, the Ramsau Customer Centre is also ideal for a stopover during a holiday trip.”

Vitus Gredler, Head of the Customer Centre Ramsau, adds: “Particularly when it comes to advice-intensive topics such as caravan payload increase, choosing the right rear carrier or configuring a suitable air suspension, caravanning customers can meet seasoned workshop professionals with a wealth of relevant experience. Owners of caravans and motorhomes, light commercial vehicles and car trailers will find themselves in good hands at the Ramsau Customer Centre.”

Scott Hunter: Head of Operations at BMPRO US Division

BMPRO, the RV power and control management company, has announced the promotion of Scott Hunter to the position of Head of Operations at its US Division. BMPRO says that Scott’s experience, accomplishments and dedication to the company’s growth and success make him the ideal candidate for this role. Scott has been part of the BMPRO team for several years, and his leadership skills have helped drive the company’s continued growth and success. His experience in the RV industry has been invaluable, with a lifetime of exposure to the industry through their father’s involvement.

FIAT Professional celebrates 25th anniversary of Ducato in Brazil with fourth generation model

To celebrate the important milestone of the 25th anniversary of the Ducato in Brazil, and more than 15 years of leadership in this segment in Brazil, FIAT Professional a further step towards its consolidation in the South American market with the launch of the brand’s most popular light commercial vehicle, the fourth generation of the Ducato. In 2022, the total van market in Brazil reached 64,000

registrations, with FIAT Professional achieving a 37% market share, an absolute leader in the segment. The new Ducato, that has sold over 130,000 units since 1998, reaffirms its leadership by focusing on technology and connectivity, and also by refreshing its design and overall interior appearance. In Brazil, the new Ducato is exclusively equipped with the 2.2 Turbo Diesel engine with 140 hp and 340 Nm, developed with an optimized weight, greater efficiency, and lower emissions. FIAT Professional is present in over 230 sales and after-sales points throughout the national territory. With a 100% coverage of the van market, the brand boasts a specialized personnel and priority service, which is fundamental for those who use the vehicle as a work tool.

REV Group appoints new President and CEO

The REV Group, Inc. has appointed Mark Skonieczny as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Previously, Mark Skonieczny had served as Interim CEO and Chief Financial Officer. Mark Skonieczny joined the Company’s Board in January 2023 and will continue to serve as a Director. The company has initiated a comprehensive search for a new CFO. Prior to joining REV Group, Mark Skonieczny held positions as Vice President and Corporate Controller of Adient PLC and spent 17 years at Johnson Controls in a variety of financial roles.

Knaus Tabbert starts 2023 financial year with a record first quarter

The significantly improved availability of chassis in the first quarter of 2023 has helped the Knaus Tabbert Group achieve another quarterly revenue record of EUR 8.368 million in the first three months (previous year: EUR 222.3 million). This corresponds to an increase of 65.8% compared to the same period of the previous year. The reason for this significant increase in sales is Knaus’ changed chassis purchasing strategy. Since the second half of 2022, Knaus Tabbert no longer produces motorhomes and camper vans on just one chassis (Stellantis) but now uses five different chassis (Stellantis, MAN, VW Commercial Vehicles, Mercedes and Ford). As in the fourth quarter of 2022, the better chassis availability has lead to an improved product mix. “In 2022, we set the course for the future. The significant increase in person-

nel capacities, investments in innovative products and state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies and, in particular, the decision to diversify chassis to now five suppliers have been increasingly having an impact since the fourth quarter of 2022. Our product portfolio inspires our dealers and customers alike: with our premium brand KNAUS, we are the mar-

Adria Supersonic wins Red Dot design award

The new Adria Supersonic integrated motorhome range from Adria Mobil has

won the prestigious Red Dot design award 2023. The new Supersonic won a distinction in the Product Design category. This follows recent other international awards including the German Design Award 2023 for excellent product design. The new Supersonic range, launched at the Caravan Salon Dusseldorf in September 2022, is Adria’s pinnacle range of integrated motorhomes built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base vehicle.

ket leader for new registrations of fullfledged motorhomes and camper vans not only in Germany but throughout Europe for the first time!” comments Wolfgang Speck, CEO at Knaus Tabbert AG. The significantly higher share of motorhomes and camper vans of 53% (previous year: 28%) of the total portfolio, coupled with a significantly higher average price compared to caravans, led to the significant increase in sales revenue.

The Management Board of Knaus Tabbert AG is optimistic about the 2023 financial year. On the basis of the order backlog, the changed chassis purchasing strategy and the resulting positive product mix effects, it expects the Group to achieve strong sales growth compared to the previous year before the effects of price increases. Price increases compared to dealers of the Knaus Tabbert Group are planned in the 2023 financial year in a range of 6–8%. The prerequisite for this, however, is an easing of the supply chains and consequently the planned availability of components and other materials, in accordance with the carefully considered planning premises. This forecast is also based on the assumption that the global economic and industry-specific conditions, especially with regard to the further course of the Ukraine conflict, will not deteriorate significantly compared to planning.

NEXTGEN hydrogen-powered concept campervan offers 500 km range

A hydrogen-powered NEXTGEN zero emission campervan study, developed by First Hydrogen Corp and global mobility experts, EDAG, could offer a range of 500 km. The concept is based on First Hydrogen’s new hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicle. The camper is designed to be used on various surfaces thanks to the combination of off-road components such as all-terrain tyres, auxiliary lighting and wheel arch flares. Inside, the futuristic camper will have spacious living areas with all kinds of electrical appliances that can be used without a power connection thanks to its fuel cell that generates electricity. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) can cover larger ranges and manage heavier payloads loads than equivalent battery

electric vehicles (BEVs); attributes that are attractive for the recreational vehicle market. RVs travel long distances, often into the wilderness away from refuelling or charging infrastructure, making long range especially appealing. Refuelling a FCEV takes mere minutes, approximately the same amount of time as a petrol or diesel vehicle, whereas recharging electric vehicles can take hours, which inhibits the freedom that van life demands. Additionally, in the same way that delivery vans might need to run refrigeration units and emergency vehicles power medical equipment; recreational vehicles run auxiliary loads such as cookers and water boilers, applications suited to FCEVs. BEVs require more battery cells to power these loads, adding to overall

vehicle weight, depleting the vehicles’ energy more quickly. First Hydrogen is successfully starting 12-18-month-long commercial vehicle trials with its Generation I fuel cell LCV. In collaboration with the UK Aggregated Hydrogen Freight Consortium (AHFC), road trials are commencing with award-winning fleet management company, Rivus.

Our UK correspondent completes Bailey of Bristol’s Sahara Challenge

The Aboutcamp B2B UK correspondent, John Rawlings, has travelled over 2,735 miles to Morocco and back to the UK during a Sahara Challenge media road trip hosted by the UK caravan and motorhome manufacturer, Bailey of Bristol. The objective of the Sahara Challenge is to put Bailey caravans and motorhomes to real-life tests, generate media coverage, inspire people to try new destinations, and show the joys and benefits of travelling with your own leisure vehicle. This follows previous road trips to above the Arctic Circle in Finland (in winter) and to Istanbul in Turkey, as well as a

coast to coast trip across Australia. Various media and industry guests were invited to take part in different sections of the trip, including Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, Martin Fitzpatrick, Joint Managing Director of Truma UK, plus Nick Howard and Simon Howard, the Managing Director and Marketing Director of Bailey of Bristol (respectively).

The guests used two Bailey Phoenix caravans towed by Ford MS-RT Rangers and a Ford Transit-based Bailey Adamo 75-4T motorhome.

From the official start in Sagres in Portugal (where the previous attempt had to be abandoned at the start of the pandemic in March 2020), the team crossed from Algeciras in Spain to Tanger Med in Morocco, and then travelled to Casablanca and Marrakech, and over the Atlas Mountains to camp in the Sahara Desert near M’hamid. The return leg of the journey took the team back over the Atlas Mountains to Fes and Chef-

chaouen, then back into Spain to take the Brittany Ferries crossing back to the UK from Bilbao.

“I was lucky enough to be asked to organise the trip,” said John Rawlings, “so did the full itinerary and am glad to say that everything went according to plan and all vehicles returned safely to the Bristol in the UK. Morocco surpassed all my expectations, but the highlight for me was camping in the Sahara Desert. That’s a caravanning memory I’ll always remember”.

MAN reports strong Q1 performance with increased sales and revenue

The commercial vehicle manufacturer, MAN, has started the current financial year 2023 with an operating profit of €197 million (compared to previous year period: €55 million; adjusted €57 million) or an operating margin of 5.8%. After production losses due

to the Russian attack on Ukraine last year, sales for the first three months of 2023 increased by 41% to 27,333 units, compared to 19,325 new vehicles in the previous year’s first quarter. In total, 19,655 (14,355) trucks, 917 (707) buses, and 6,761 (4,263) vans have been sold to customers this year so far. MAN Truck & Bus achieved sales of €3.4 billion, which was 34% higher than the previous year’s level (€2.5 billion). This growth is mainly due to increased sales of new vehicles and vehicle services. “After an extremely difficult year with production downtime lasting several weeks, disruptions to supply chains, and high financial charges, including from rising energy and raw material prices,

Ford unveils All-Electric E-Tourneo Courier

Ford has revealed its all-new E-Tourneo Courier, a fiveseat multi-activity vehicle with a distinctive SUV-inspired design and a refined all-electric driveline. It is one of ten all-electric vehicles Ford has committed to offering in Europe by 2024. Ford is investing $50 billion globally through 2026 to achieve a targeted run rate of more than 2 million all-electric vehicles by the end of that year. The all-electric E-Tourneo Courier will arrive in 2024 for customers across Europe. E-Tourneo Courier was developed from the ground up to deliver a spacious and practical design in a manoeuvrable and compact package. The all-electric multi-activity vehicle features a “digiboard” instrument panel that features a full digital instrument cluster and SYNC 4 infotainment controlled via the large 12-inch touchscreen. The fully connected cabin features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, as well as a phone charging pad to stay connected on the go. The vehicle offers both 11kW AC and 100kW DC charging options, and charge management is made easier with Ford’s end-to-end home charging solution, handy app, and scheduling capability to take advantage of cheaper energy tariffs where available. A typical 7kW overnight domestic charge from 10-100 per cent takes 7.8 hours. Ford software and the BlueOval Charge Network, which is one of the largest in Europe and set to include 500,000 chargers by 2024, also facilitate public charging.

we succeeded in getting MAN back on track thanks to major efforts. The measures taken in recent years to improve earnings, some of which were incisive, are now bearing fruit and are also reflected in the Company’s earnings. A great success! In order to achieve our targets for the current fiscal year, we will now do everything in our power to continue this positive trend,” says Inka Koljonen, the MAN Truck & Bus SE Executive Board member responsible for Finance, IT and Legal. At the same time, however, she points to the uncertainties that still exist, resulting among other things from the economic consequences of the Ukraine war and the Corona pandemic.

MORELO expands production facility to meet growing demand

MORELO, the premium motorhome brand from the Knaus Tabbert group, is expanding its production facility in Schlüsselfeld by building a new workshop so it can increase production to meet the growing demand for its vehicles. At the same time, the number of employees will also increase sharply, from the current 450 to around 550 employees.

“With the factory expansion, we are taking the next big step into the future,” says Robert Crispens, Managing Director of MORELO Reisemobile GmbH. “The new Plant 2 as well as the significant expansion of Plant 1 and the exhibition area for our vehicles – all this is the basis for being able to continue to grow under our own steam and at the same time to implement the first class wishes of our customers even better, more individually and faster can.”

Due to the continuous growth, the Upper Franconians have now almost reached their capacity limits. Therefore, a new stage in the company’s history is confidently heralded and an additional factory building is built, which will contain a fully-fledged, state-of-the-art production line. The new Plant 2 in the north of the MORELO company premises, which is within sight of the A3, will include a state-of-the-art production line, a second panel production, design and development including prototype construction, a warehouse, a canteen and a second employee car park for approx. 100 cars.

New Pop-up roof solutions

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Ama Composites is the reliable partner for designing and building any element of an RV - inner & outer - always with a view to cost and weight saving

Seventy years of Melbourne Supershow

Melbourne Showgrounds welcomed back the biggest Caravan and Camping Show in Australia earlier this year for the 70th Anniversary edition. The 2023 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow was held from Wednesday 22nd of February and conducted on Sunday 26th of February. Almost 48 thousand consumers visited the pet friendly event, which is a record number for a 5-day Supershow in Australia

The Victorian Supershow is one of four Caravan Shows organised by Caravan Industry Victoria, featuring more than 215 exhibitors and spanning across 100,000 square metres of exhibition space. Daniel Sahlberg, CEO of Caravan Industry Victoria: “Off the back of huge demand, the question is where the industry will realign too. Our focus with our caravan shows and everything we do is to keep the caravan industry at the forefront of consumers’ minds with constant education and training on how to use the products. And with the global financial impact we are promoting that you can do more with a

caravan or RV and it’s more affordable.” This year’s theme was “Start Here, Go Anywhere”, which has been the main message for all market ing and promotions. New for this special anniversary edition were the RV Master Stage and Adventure Zone. The RV Master Stage welcomed over 30 live interactive sessions from caravanning and camping experts. For those who were not able to attend the show in person, these sessions were streamed live

on the Caravan Industry Victoria Social Media channels. The Adventure Zone, located on the campground food court, hosted a large number of demonstrations on offroad driving, weight, towing and much more.

Celebrating over 70 years in manufacturing, Truma (part of Leisure-Tec Australia) was again the major partner for the 2023 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow. Supporting partners were AL-KO and BMPRO.

Words Irene Viergever

Daniel Sahlberg

History

The first annual Victorian Caravan Show was held over three days in September and October of 1954, at the Wirth’s Circus site in Melbourne. The organisation, formed by leading caravan makers of Australia, got together to start promoting the caravan lifestyle and its products in Victoria. A newspaper article from 1954 to encourage people to visit the caravan show reads: “All caravans offer big advantages over tents and camping - in weather protection, comfort and convenience. Some of the luxe models may even be better equipped and more comfortable than your own home”. A total of 22 exhibitors showcased their products and over 10,000 people visited that first Caravan Show in 1954.

After that premiere in 1954, the Victorian Caravan Show moved locations a number of times. The Passport of Freedom competition has been a beloved tradition at caravan shows since its debut. Being the 70th anniversary edition, Caravan Industry Victoria went all out for the 2023 prize pack: the major prize this year was a $70,000 Jayco Starcraft Bush Pack caravan. In addition, 70 other prizes were included in the prize pack, increasing the total value to a historic high of $100,000.

The 2023 Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow commenced with the official opening on Wednesday morning. A number of VIPs, exhibitors and key players from within the Australian Caravan Industry joined presenter and radio broadcaster David Mann for a morning of industry announcements, product launches and 70th anniversary celebrations. David Mann: “You are all in business, I won’t hide the fact it has been a difficult three years. But this industry has made a lot of people very happy, particularly in the mental health and wellbeing space. They got out, got fresh air with like-minded people and had a terrific time”.

First keynote speaker of the opening event was President of Caravan Industry

Victoria Nat Schiavello. Nat took the opportunity to express his gratitude and support to everyone attending. Nat: “Collectively we create, operate and pro mote the best industry in Australia. [...] I am proud to be part of this industry and to see the vast majority of our members and industry products continue to evolve”.

Chief Executive Officer of Caravan Industry Victoria Daniel Sahlberg took the stage for a number of announcements and industry updates, including the lat-

est stats on Caravan manufacturing. Over the COVID-19 years, Victoria has seen a 35% industry growth and the state’s Caravan industry is now responsible for 93% of towable manufacturing in Australia. The Victorian RV industry is worth over AU$3 billion, providing jobs to over 10,000 direct employees. This number of jobs has doubled from 11 years ago when the industry was worth AU$1.1 billion. Daniel: “It is quite amazing; Victoria is the heartland of caravan manufacturing here in Australia. Caravan manufacturing came across from Adelaide in the 1930s and since the mid 2000s Victoria alone has 120 to 130 Recreational Vehicle manufacturers, mainly based north of Melbourne.”

Caravan Industry Victoria has 246 trade members, including manufacturers, suppliers, dealerships, retailers and service companies. On top of that there are a number of caravan parks and affiliates with a membership. During this year’s Supershow the association announced a number of member support initiatives, including a Weight Inspection Program, Membership Benefit Program and the roll out of the RV Master Manufacturers Accreditation Program.

Weight Inspection Program

Weight is a big issue for both cars and recreational vehicles in Australia as more and more accessories are being fitted in the aftermarket. For the last three years, Caravan Industry Victoria has been working closely with VIC Roads to gather data from manufacturers and dealerships regarding this issue. As part of the Caravan Industry Victoria’s strategy to better educate the industry and consumers, the Weight Inspection Program is designed to help consumers to understand weight with the goal to increase driver safety whilst travelling on the roads. During the inspection days, organised in conjunction with WIM Technologies, consumers can have the weight of their RV measured and corrected for free.

Membership Benefits Program

The Membership Benefits Program offers all Victorian members and their staff discounts to a range of mainstream items, including IT, flights, accommodation, fuel, shopping and entertainment. Signing up for this benefit program results in an average annual saving of $1400 per person.

RV Master Manufacturers Program

The RV Master Manufacturers Program, designed to raise industry standards, launched two years back and is now

Nat Schiavello

Nat Schiavello, Daniel Sahlberg and Stuart Lamont

ready to be rolled out in Victoria. The program covers five key areas, being Business Systems, Quality, Human Resources, Regulatory Compliance and Customer Service. Like RVMAP, participants will be subject to annual audits to maintain their ‘RV Master’ status.

Stuart Lamont, CEO of Caravan Industry Association of Australia highlighted the importance of vehicle quality in Australia, as Australians love to explore parts of their country that are not as easily accessible. Areas you would not think of taking your car, Australian RV owners expect their caravan, camper trailer or motorhome to be able to go. Stuart: “We have some of the most stunning places in the world. Australians love to get out of the cities and travel terrain for which caravans and camper trailers probably aren’t traditionally used to. Caravans and camper trailers need to be built in

such a way to accommodate that consumer demand”. For this reason, Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) has been at the forefront of lobbying and advocating for tougher laws around supplying caravans and camper trailers to the Australian market. On 1 July 2023, the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA) will finally come into full effect after a transition period was extended a further 12 months leading into last year’s federal election.

Over COVID-19, Caravan Industry Association of Australia supported their members with a number of initiatives and campaigns, including Camp At Home Heroes and Travel Your Road. Now that Australians are allowed to travel again, the National Body continues to inspire people on a National level to explore the country in an RV. On a state level, Caravan Industry Association of Australia and Caravan Industry Victoria

work closely together on a number of initiatives, including compliance merchandise, access to Australian standards and educational sessions. On top of that, Caravan Industry Victoria subsidised 50% of the registration fees for one employee per current financial business member who attended this year’s CIAA National Conference.

The next event organised by Caravan Industry Victoria is the 2023 Caravan Industry Victoria Trade Expo, held mid-July at the Hyatt Place Melbourne in Essendon Fields. This one-day Trade Exhibition is an Industry only event to network, do business and to see the latest products and services from suppliers and manufacturers. Several key speakers will discuss important topics within the Australian caravan industry, including compliance, RVSA and ACCC. AboutCamp BtoB had the pleasure to explore 100,000 square metres of exhibition space during this year’s Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow, meeting exhibitors and learning more about the Australian trends and market.

Stuart Lamont

R eport Melbourne - Victorian Supershow 2023

Jayco

Founded in 1975 by Gerry Ryan, the iconic Jayco has grown to be the biggest caravan manufacturer in Australia. In fact, Jayco is the largest vehicle manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere. The Jayco stand at this year’s

Supershow, located in the Grand Pavilion, was impressive as always and showcased Jayco’s full range, including caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, pop-tops and campervans. Jayco considers “Australian Made” to be essential

to its values and success and therefore all Jayco RVs are manufactured at the Jayco

Jayco All terrain

Although campervans are not as in demand as towables in Australia, the Jayco All-Terrain Campervan is getting more and more popular due to the off-road capabilities. The All Terrain Campervan is

built on a sturdy Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4 chassis, which provides exceptional stability and traction. This luxury model looks compact and can be driven with a normal licence, however it has a lot of internal features, including a separate

shower and toilet, decent size kitchen and large fridge. In addition to its offroad capabilities, the Jayco All-Terrain campervan is also equipped with safety features such as airbags, electronic stability control, and a rearview camera.

Jayco Silverline

Jayco Conquest

Jayco Australia brought their first motorhome to market in 2004. Since then, a range of on road and off-road motorhomes have been launched. The current Jayco Motorhome range consists of the Conquest and Optimum series, with the Conquest being the more economical option. The Jayco Conquest motorhome is available on the Renault Master platform, Mercedes Sprinter cab chassis and the Fiat Ducato – AL-KO chassis. AboutCamp BtoB had a look inside the 25ft Conquest motorhome built on the Fiat Ducato – AL-KO chassis. This motorhome has a large slideout area, which accommodates both the dinette and the bed. The full ensuite is located at the back of the motorhome and includes a separate toilet and shower. This roomy motorhome can still be driven on a normal drivers licence here in Australia.

Jayco’s Caravan range consists of four models, the Starcraft, Journey, All Terrain and Silverline. The top of the range Silverline is Jayco’s most luxurious option and comes in a Touring and Outback version, with the main difference being the suspension. The Touring features a lower ride height that enables greater fuel efficiency, coupled with Jayco engineered JTECH 2.0 suspension. The Outback comes with JTECH 2.0 independent suspension, off-road electric brake magnets, higher ground clearance, protective side aluminium checker plates and 200W solar panel and regulator. Both the Touring and Outback are available in four different floor plans, with the 21ft-3 being the most

Jayco-All-Terrain-MS-ft

Jayco-Silverline-24-ft

Jayco-Conquest-FA-25-3

factory in Dandenong.

Dometic

As with many businesses, COVID-19 has interrupted the flow of new development, products, and business focus – Dometic is no exception. As we exit the dark days of the pandemic, Dometic continues to adapt and develop the product offering to meet the evolving market. Managing Director Trent Rowe: “Getting closer to consumers is a recent focus for us. Being closer to consumers and really understanding the different types of consumers across Caravanning & Camping is very important. A common misconception is that Dometic is only focussing on the aftermarket and retail. That’s not entirely true as the RV industry is still a major focus for us – hence our acquisition of Enerdrive in 2021. With 28,000 RVs built locally and over 20,000 imported RVs, that’s almost 50,000 opportunities where you can see a Dometic and/or Enerdrive product fitted somewhere.”

popular option. Being Jayco’s flagship model, all Jayco Silverlines come with a range of luxurious key features, including air conditioning, washing machine, 216L Dometic absorption fridge, Truma ducted gas heating, continuous gas hot water system and Shurflo 12v water pump. All Silverlines come with a slide out. The Jayco Silverline sleeps up to four people and is mainly popular under the older demographics.

Everything Caravan and Camping

Established in 2014 by Matt and Paula Sutton, Everything Caravan and Camping is a community-driven resource for those who share the love of adventure, travel, camaraderie and road trips. With over 380K members, ECC is one of the largest Facebook communities for caravanning enthusiasts in the Southern Hemi sphere. When Leisiu-

re-Tec Australia acquired the platform early 2022, they expanded with the Everything Caravan and Camping marketplace. This one-stopshop for everything caravanning and camping is developed with marketplace software and technology that allows sellers to create digital shop fronts on the ECC website. Almost 5000 products are currently listed on the ECC Marketplace, sold by 44 different sellers.

Trent Rowe

Karl Vassallo

R eport Melbourne - Victorian Supershow 2023

Spartan Innovations

New to the RV Industry and Melbourne Supershow is Spartan Innovations, a Queensland based com pany that has been around for only three years. They set the bar and expectations high by announcing the arrival of a new product for the RV Industry during the Official Show Launch. A product that, according to founders Bill Seawright and Alex Muzic, will revolutionise the trailer industry. Spartan Innovation’s new trailer hub system will get rid of the stub axle of any trailer system completely and their combined trailer hubs and axles will eliminate anything that can go wrong with stub axles. And if they do break, it is only a 10 minute job to have the full system replaced. The Spartan Trailer Hub System will last for approximately 225.000 kilometres on a 2.5ton axle and is rated up to 2.75ton. AboutCamp BtoB caught up with co-founder Bill Seawright a few weeks after the show to get the latest news on Spartan Innovations and the new trailer hub system. Bill told us there is a lot of interest from end users who are looking at upgrading their current system. The product will be released to market in June this year and the team is currently having conversations with a number of key players within the trailer industry, including RV manufacturers, suspension manufacturers and RV Service Centra. Next is the launch of their heavy-duty system, which will be rated at 4ton.

Thetford

Thetford Australia always seems to amaze the crowd with their inviting, colourful and wellstaffed exhibition stand at the Melbourne Supershow. Customer Service is one of the key strengths at Thetford in Australia and there is a constant flow of consumers entering the stand to ask (technical) questions about the products. Predominantly known for their sanitation solutions, Thetford now has high market shares in all their main categories. Director Daniel Dunn: “We see quite a large trend towards electrification. We released a new range of compressor fridges in recent times, and we are seeing a huge increase in our sales of compressor fridges and electric cook-

ing solutions.” Thetford offers a range of Absorption and Compressor fridges that fit in the same cut-out, to meet the needs of the Australian manufacturers to easily change between compressor and absorption models. “Within the range of cooking appliances, we see a similar trend with both gas, induction and dual fuel options.” Daniel Dunn said.

Bill Seawright

Daniel Dunn

Crusader Caravans

Crusader Caravans is one of the top five caravan manufacturers in Australia and the winner of two Caravan Industry Victoria Manufacturer of the Year Awards over the last years. In July 2022, Crusader Caravans moved to a new purpose-built factory in Epping Victoria. The new factory is five times larger than the previous manufacturing facility, reflecting the rapid growth of the Crusader Caravans brand. With this move, Crusader changed from a traditional meranti timber frame into a full composite caravan range, which makes Crusader Caravans the first volume manufacturer that went fully composite. The most popular model, the CRV Gladiator, was launched in the middle of COVID and solely sold online for a number of months while showrooms were closed due to lockdown. Now that Australia opened up again Crusader Caravans is doing better than ever.

Avida

Proudly Australian made since 1965, Avida is the leading manufacturer of Motorhomes in Australia. We caught up with Billy Falconer, Sales and Marketing Manager, to learn more about the market and Avida products. Motorhomes represent 5% of the total Australian RV production, which is very low compared to for example Europe. Billy explains: “What we see is that when people go through the cycle of life and hit the age of 65,

they are more likely to buy a motorhome, whereas caravans are popular under all age demographics including young couples and families’’. Although most people know Avida from their motorhomes, the company expanded into caravans and camper trailers in 2013. Their most recent addition is the Avida Diversion campervan, built on the latest Mercedes Benz Sprinter. It comes with a number of unique features, including an electric roll out bed and larger fridge than most campervans.

Avida-Diversion

Avida-Esperance

Crusader-Gladiator-Force

Crusader-Musketeer-Treville

R eport Melbourne - Victorian Supershow 2023

Retreat Caravan

Retreat Caravans, based and manufactured in Victoria Australia, was the first Australian caravan manufacturer that went fully electric. The ERV model is now one of Retreat Caravans most popular models and AboutCamp BtoB had the pleasure to learn more about this oneof-a-kind caravan and the people behind it. Going fully electric all starts with the construction of the caravan, General Manager Tilly Rexhepi explains: “Back in 2019 we came out with the concept of an all-electric caravan. Retreats industry leading RXP wall construction is basically a full composite shell including flooring, walls and roof. Because it is fully composite it will keep the caravan cool when it is hot outside and warm when it is cold outside. This forms the perfect base for an electric caravan”

Everything within the Retreat ERV is powered by the 14.3 kW chassis integrated DCX battery system from OzXCorp. Unlike other manufacturers that might install several batteries under the bed, Retreat Caravans mount theirs directly underneath the caravan. For extra protection, the battery has a 50mm crush resistance zone and is completely waterproof and dustproof. Furthermore, the ERV includes a 5,000-watt smart inverter and up to 2400 Watt of commercial grade solar panels on the roof, which allows the user to run all electric appliances at the same time. One of the benefits people like most about this ERV is the safety feature, as there is no gas involved. This includes the barbeque on the outside of the Caravan, which is an electric Weber.

The inside of the Retreat ERV is just as unique as the outside, as the air conditioning is mount-

ed under the bed instead of on the roof. Tilly: “Because we use the roof as real estate for solar panels, our air conditioner and heater are under the bed. Due to the full composite construction, the warm or cool air will stay inside the caravan as soon as you close the doors” . The ERV further includes a 240V induction cooker, conventional microwave oven and large Thetford compressor fridge.

The fully offroad ERV comes in a number of different lay-outs and is fast becoming one of the most popular models in the Retreat Caravan range. For caravanners that do not want to go fully electrical, Retreat Caravans created the Retreat Daydream. This semi-electrical caravan is powered by a 7.1kW battery system, which is integrated in the chassis as well.

Tilly: “Going electric is undoubtedly the future of Australian caravanning and we are glad to be the innovators that launched the first full electric caravan in 2019. There are other manufacturers that have adopted this technology, however Retreat Caravans is ahead of everybody else as we already validated the system in the field.”

Tilly Rexhepi

BMPRO

Being the major supplier of Power Management Systems and Smart RV Systems in Australia, BMPRO has been the Heartbeat of the Australian RV for over 15 years. In fact, about half of the RVs manufacturers in Australia use some form of BMPRO. Latest for this innovative power solution supplier is the recently launched ProBoost: a range of DC-DC chargers for both the Caravan and 4x4 Markets. ProBoost features an in-built MPPT solar regulator and blends both solar and auxiliary inputs to ensure there is always a consistent charge to the battery.

Global Heritage

A company to watch out for is brand new supplier to the industry Global Heritage. Although you may not have heard the name Global Heritage before, owner Brad Slater is exceptionally well known in the RV Industry, inside and outside Australia. Global Heritage did not have their own stand at the 2023 Melbourne Supershow, nevertheless their products were on display at a number of RV Manufacturers. One of these manufacturers is Masterpiece Caravans, where AboutCamp BtoB caught up with Nicolas Chevalier, Head of Product Innovation. Global Heritage has the aim to create the most durable and sustainable products on the market, without losing focus on the ease of use for the end user and the visual appearance. The

Global Heritage awning range on display at the VIC Supershow demonstrates how these principles translate into a product: cast aluminium frame, heavier weight fabric and details that stand out for ease of use. The experienced team at Global Heritage is working on an extended range of products for both the RV and Outdoor Markets. We will keep you up to date on any news regarding this promising brand.

Louise Bayliss

Nicolas Chevalier

R eport Melbourne - Victorian Supershow 2023

MDC is one of the leading camper trailer manufacturers in Australia. Camper trailers are growing in popularity every year, mostly due to the Australian climate and the fact that Australians love spending quality time outside. MDC’s camper trail-

Apollo Motorhome Holidays

Founded in 1985, Apollo Motorhome Holidays is the largest privately owned recreational vehicle operator in the world. Since 2014, Apollo RV Sales has been the exclusive importer and distributor of Adria Mobil in Australia. Soon after this partnership, a significant licensing agreement was established with Winnebago Industries to produce and promote the globally recognized brand in Australia. Coromal and Windsor Caravans are iconic Australian brands which Apollo adopted in recent years and all production is now done under the Apollo Motorhome Holidays brand.

ers are all about outdoor living and the slide-out kitchens and outdoor storage are some of MDC’s key features that suit this market really well. The most popular MDC model is the XTT, which was recently brought to North America. Next to the wide variety of camper trailers, MDC manufactures a full range of caravans and hybrids for both the Australian and US market.

MDC_XT16HR

MDC-ROBSON-XTT

Coromal-SoulSeeker-196

Winnebago-Iluka

Established in 1966 and originally known for their timber products, NCE has developed into a leading supplier of various components for the RV industry in both Australia and New Zealand. NCE is the sole distributor for a number of Australian and overseas manufacturers, including CAN,

Cruisemaster

Gree and Puretec. Plus, they developed a full range of NCE products over the years, including appliances for bathroom and kitchen. Often without realising it, most Australian caravanners have a NCE product inside their RV as NCE supplies to nearly all caravan manufacturers Down Under. The centrepiece of this year’s NCE stand was the DCX power supply system from OzXCorp. Being the distributor for OzXCorp in Australia and New Zealand, there was a lot of interest in this chassis mountable battery system. A number of leading RV manufacturers already adopted the DCX system, both in Australia and more recently in North America.

Established in 2005 under the name Vehicle Components and rebranded in 2018, Cruisemaster has grown to become a trusted name in the Australian caravanning industry. Cruisemaster offers a range of high-quality products, including inde pendent suspension, airbag suspension and shock absorber systems. As well as other accessories and upgrades to improve the performance and safety of caravans and trailers. What really sets Cruisemaster apart is their product testing in remote areas of Australia, which is performed during a yearly R.A.T Run.

Jared Pearson

Josh Sippel

Australia vs Europe: a possible comparison?

In the RV sector, Australia is experiencing a very special situation, both for the production and sale of vehicles, and for tourism. A comparison with some European countries may be useful (all data refer to 2022)

New RV registrations: Australia and European countries

In 2021, the Australian market demonstrated that it had fully overcome the difficult period of the pandemic by growing sales since 2020. This trend continued in 2022, for both production (+ 17%) and imports (+ 37%).

Attendance at recent trade fairs

After the pandemic, trade fairs in Europe are back at full power, with excellent attendance by the public. As always, the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf dominates the international scene, with the number of visitors in 2022 exceeding 235,000 people. The Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, the biggest show in Australia held in February 2023, was visited by nearly 48,000 consumers.

Motorhome&Caravan Show

Salone del Camper Caravan Salon

96% towables/ caravans

RVs in use per 1,000 people: Australia and European countries

The number of RVs in use in Australia is very high at 30 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants. A comparison with Europe shows that such a high figure only exists in a few countries, such as Sweden and the Netherlands (whose populations is similar to that of Australia).

Manufacturing of RVs: comparison between Australia and Germany

58% motorhomes/campervans

4% motorhomes/ campervans

Australia total RVs 28,031

42% towables/caravans

Germany total RVs 129,288

Australian RV production is different from the Europe: for example, there are some states in Australia where motorhomes and campervans are produced almost exclusively; and others where only caravans are produced. A quick comparison with Germany, the most representative state of European RV production, may be useful. Data refers to 2022.

Sources of figures: Caravan Industry Association of Australia, ECF European Caravan Federation, CIVD

Exploring Jayco’s impressive production facilities

Jayco is the most renowned manufacturer of campers and caravans in Australia. As a market leader with a history of nearly 50 years, it boasts modern and technologically advanced production facilities and is one of the most horizontally integrated firms in the caravan industry. Our team had the opportunity to visit the company’s manufacturing site

When we visited Jayco Australia, we were truly impressed by the organization, technologies and size of its industrial complex, which includes the production of most of the components used for

building recreational vehicles, such as caravan chassis or fibreglass laminates for walls. It is located at 1 Jayco Drive in Dandenong, about a 40-minute drive southeast of Melbourne. Our guide for this extraordinary experi-

ence was Ken Miller, the Component Innovation and Technologies Manager at Jayco. But before delving into the production processes, let’s take a look at the milestones in Jayco Australia’s successful history.

Words and photo Antonio Mazzucchelli

How the journey began

The Jayco journey started in 1975 when its founder, Gerry Ryan, started the first prototype camper project for Jayco from a shed in Cranbourne. The first Jayco product came off the production line in early 1976.

Output hit 560 vehicles in the first year, and it continued to expand its early offerings of campers before moving on to Pop-Tops. Jayco introduced motorhomes to its product line-up in the early 2000’s and later produced its 100,000th RV in 2006. To date, the brand has crafted over 200,000 RVs for Australian customers to enjoy.

Jayco Drive

In 2007, Jayco moved to a state-ofthe-art manufacturing complex and headquarters at 1 Jayco Drive in Dandenong, outside Melbourne. The 50acre site includes a purpose-built 60,000 m² facility that houses seven specialized factories – caravans, pop tops, camper trailers, lamination, chassis and quality testing.

Jayco prides itself on prioritizing being ‘Australian Made’ in every aspect of its business. With around 1,100 employees contributing to the production of each RV, from crafting the chassis to sewing

soft furnishings, Jayco is built by Australians for Australians.

Jayco’s success does not solely depend on its commitment to ‘Australian Made’ but also its relentless focus on innovation. Jayco has introduced several world-first technologies, including Amazon Alexa integration and a 360-degree camera on all RVs. In addition to these advancements, Jayco has invested in state-of-the-art technology, such as the custom Italian-built double edge banding machine, which has revolutionized production efficiency.

Currently, Jayco Australia holds a market share of approximately 33%, with the majority of its production consisting of caravans (about 70%), followed by motorhomes, campervans, and pop-up trailers

In these pictures: the Jayco Drive 1 facility; the offices; a caravan being towed towards the water test area; our editor in chief Antonio Mazzucchelli outside the building

How a caravan is built

Jayco Australia is probably the most integrated RV manufacturer in the world. It has his own GRP laminates production company and most of the frames come from Metal Techs, which is another one of the associated companies. It has also

technologies and presses to produce walls and roofs by itself. Every day, 60 completed caravans roll off the production line which is situated in a massive warehouse and consists of 35 individual stations that the caravans move along.

The manufacturing process for Jayco caravans begins in the chassis shed, where the company constructs its hot-dip galvanized endurance chassis on-site - a unique approach compared to many other manufacturers. The chassis is assembled and welded

The “Made by Jayco” chassis Floor installation

The caravan takes shape

Walls in place

The roof is done

Ready for the final test

before being sent off-site for galvanization. Once the chassis returns to Jayco, all other chassis components are added, including drop jacks, jockey wheels, steps, wheels, water tanks and suspension.

Each station on the production line has a queue of caravans, which move along every 44 minutes. The caravan manufacturing process takes approximately three and a half days from the time the chassis enters the line until the caravan is finished. The initial stages involve a lot of wiring and electrical roughing. Next, the interior of the caravan is built from the inside out. This includes loading all the cabinetry and furniture onto the caravan’s floor and securing them in place. Then, panel construction tough frame walls are put up and all the furniture is screwed down.

Around one-third of the way along the production line, Jayco caravans undergo an independent quality audit gate. Quality control is a key focus for Jayco, and the production line includes two quality audit gates, manned by independent testers who are separate from the production process. There are also several other informal quality checks along the line. Any issues found during the quality audit gate must be addressed before the caravan can move forward.

Following the completion of the construction phase, the caravan moves on to receive finishing touches. The addition of insulation and a fibreglass skin to the roof comes first, followed by the cutting of holes for the air conditioner and roof hatches. The entry door and awning are installed next, and at this point, the interior design elements are put into place. Towards the end of the production line, a qualified plumber inspects the gas and water fittings before the caravan undergoes a final quality check. Afterwards, the caravan moves on to a bay for weighting, where every detail is registered on the computer for future reference. Then comes the water test, where each caravan undergoes a 25-minute shower test in one of the three water testing bays. The water used is recycled and captured by large tanks beneath the ground. The rolling road station is used for on-site suspension testing and to check if there are any issues with the cupboards or furniture. The rolling road simulates a bumpy ride to ensure that everything stays in place.

Walls, floors and roofs

Fabrics, upholstery and pop-tents

Carpentry and furniture

At Jayco Australia, everything is done in-house, from the GRP sheets to the construction of frame walls, to the production of walls and roof using presses

The motorhome facility

To take advantage of the recent surge in the motorhome and campervan market in Australia, Jayco has upgraded its South Dandenong manufacturing facility and expanded it.

The company has relocated the motorhome manufacturing unit from a 9,000 m² facility to an extensive 14,000 m² one featuring two state-of-the-art production lines for motorhomes and campervans. This means that Jayco has been able to increase manufacturing volumes. Jayco also created a dedicated R&D area to work closely with the products and develop new prototypes, designs, and concepts. It also implemented a new materials area that allows stock to be directly delivered from JIT suppliers based on production runs. Additionally, it has developed a designated training area, named the Dojo area, to provide its employees with extra training opportunities as as required, whether they’re new to the company, transitioning to different roles, or in need of any additional support to strengthen their knowledge and skill sets.

10 surprising things about Jayco Australia

1. Jayco began operations in 1975 from a small garage in Cranbourne. The Jayco head office and production site is now located in Dandenong.

2. Jayco is a family-owned business and founder Gerry Ryan remains the company’s CEO to this day.

3. Jayco is the largest recreational vehicle manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere.

4. An RV comes off one of Jayco’s six production lines every 8.6 minutes.

5. When it comes to staff, Jayco has around 1,100. The youngest employee is 17 years old, and the oldest celebrated his 70th.

The South Dandenong manufacturing facility

How a motorhome is built

A mechanical base with an AL-KO chassis Walls ready for installation Assembly of the furniture

Campervan manufacturing

6. The longest serving employee at Jayco clocked 38 years of service in October 2022.

7. Jayco purchases enough fibreglass sheet in one year to cover the Melbourne Cricket Ground playing surface 15 times!

8. Jayco introduced the wind-up camper trailer in Australia.

9. Jayco has delivered two world-first releases –the introduction of Amazon Alexa in its RV’s and 360-degree cameras on its caravans.

10. There’s around 75,000 m² of roofing at Jayco HQ, which is equivalent to almost three Melbourne Cricket Ground playing grounds. When it rains, water is captured and used to irrigate gardens and flush toilets at HQ.

The motorhome is almost finished

The slide-out is prepared separately Finally, the last checks

Meeting with an industry legend

Gerry Ryan is an incredibly accomplished businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Victoria, Australia. In a recent interview with Aboutcamp BtoB, he discussed his journey as the founder and Chairman of Jayco Australia, the country’s most successful caravan and motorhome manufacturer

Ryan’s story is one of grit, determination and a deep passion for the great Australian outdoors. Born into a working-class family in the state of Victoria, he started his first business at the age of just 24 –a small camper trailer manufacturer that eventually grew into a thriving dealership network.

Words Antonio Mazzucchelli

He had the opportunity to meet Lloyd Bontrager, the founder of Jayco USA, who had a passion for Jayco and for Australia. Ryan decided to start his own business and spent time studying both marketing and supply, and doing repairs to get some cash flow to build his first prototype. He started producing one camper-trailer a day, and in the first year, built 560 units. Today, over 200,000 have been built. Over the past four decades, Ryan has overseen Jayco’s evolution from a tiny startup to a major player in the Australian RV sector. Today, the company employs around 1,100 people and produces over 10,000 vehicles per year across a range of models and price points. But Ryan’s interests extend far beyond the world of business. He is also a passionate philanthropist, donating to various causes through his Gerry Ryan Foundation. Among his many endeavors, he has supported medical research, education, and environmental conservation – a reflection, perhaps, of his deep reverence for the natural beauty of Australia. Throughout his career, Ryan has exemplified the values of hard work, innovation and community spirit that have made Australia a dynamic and prosperous nation. And with his sights set on expanding Jayco’s presence in a rapidly growing RV market, there’s no doubt that he will continue to leave his mark on the Australian business landscape for years to come.

One of the key factors behind Jayco’s success, as Ryan explained to Aboutcamp BtoB, has been the company’s commitment to quality and customer service. Every Jayco product is rigorously tested and backed by a comprehensive warranty, while the company’s nationwide dealer network ensures that customers can access support and repairs no matter where they are in Australia.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Mr. Ryan, we last met back in 2019. Can you tell us how the market has changed in the past four years, and how Jayco Australia has adapted?

Gerry Ryan: COVID-19 presented a unique opportunity for the caravan industry to experience growth, but this growth was not sustainable due to the restrictions on international travel. As a result, people were limited to travelling within their own countries. However, the pandemic also allowed us to reach a wider audience of potential customers who may not have

previously considered purchasing our products.

Regarding caravan sales, the growth we experienced in the last two years is not sustainable. We need to look back to 2019 to truly understand the market growth, which was around 10%. We are currently seeing an oversupply of caravan products in Australia, with many new brands and smaller dealerships opening up and importing Chinese products. However, this is not sustainable in the long term as some insurance companies may not provide coverage, and breakdowns can be costly when travelling across long distances in a large country like Australia. It is important to back up our products with quality services and spare parts to ensure that our customers are satisfied and we are able to maintain a long-term presence in the market. In the second half of this year, we anticipate a significant fall out in the industry as we rationalize and bring the market back to normal trading levels. Our goal is to stabilize at around 10%15% above 2019 levels.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Can you tell us about any changes that have occurred within Jayco in the past four years?

Gerry Ryan: In terms of product offerings, we have expanded our range to become one of the largest manufacturers in the world. In the American market, we have identified cross-section markets that we are actively pursuing. We are also putting significant efforts into continuous improvement, investing in our manufacturing processes to become more competitive and improve quality. Moving forward, our focus will be on new product innovation. We plan to bring more innovative products to the market over the next 12 months and beyond.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What sets Jayco apart from its competitors?

Gerry Ryan: Jayco has always been at the forefront of innovation, boasting the best dealer network and providing exceptional service to its customers. We offer great value for mon-

ey, ensuring that we are highly competitive in the market. Our products have gained appreciation, especially in recent years, and our national service network is unparalleled. It’s not enough to just sell a product, we believe in providing top-notch service to our customers to ensure their satisfaction.

Aboutcamp BtoB: In Europe, the market is influenced by several factors such as inflation, the war in Ukraine, high RV prices, long waiting times, and uncertain final prices. What is the situation in Australia?

Gerry Ryan: We have faced similar challenges in terms of fixed prices and waiting times. For motorized vehicles, the waiting time is currently at 12 months, while for caravans and campers it is around seven months.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Your prices are fixed, so customers know the exact price when they purchase?

Gerry Ryan: Yes, that’s correct.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What is your vision for the market in the next five years?

Gerry Ryan: We aim to return to the market’s pre-pandemic state of 2019, with a projected growth of around 20%. However, we don’t expect to reach the levels of the current boom as the market is already starting to slow down. Nonetheless, we anticipate growth in the industry as more people have started caravanning due to the travel restrictions that were introduced.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What do you like and dislike about the European RV

Gerry Ryan (left) with our editor-in-chief

F ocus on JAYCO AUSTRALIA

industry? And what about USA?

Gerry Ryan : I appreciate the innovation and design in the European market, and we closely monitor the trends there. As for dislikes, I am not heavily involved in the European RV industry to pinpoint specific aspects that I dislike. I haven’t been to America in years, so I am not familiar with the market there. The American market tends to have greater fluctuations in volume and can quickly decline, and the products they use are different from what we use here in Australia. Due to their size, we tend to look more towards European products.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What steps does Jayco take to ensure long-term collaboration with suppliers?

Gerry Ryan : At Jayco, we understand that building strong relationships with suppliers is crucial for our success. It’s not just about purchasing components, it’s about working together towards a common goal. We rely heavily on our suppliers’ engineering department to assist us when developing new products, and we value their input and expertise. For us, it’s all about the relationship, not just the price.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Is it wise for Jayco to bring previously outsourced pro-

duction processes in-house, given the potential risks of hiring new staff and buying machinery in a volatile market?

Gerry Ryan : There’s no easy answer to this question. We always consider the cost of producing components in-house versus outsourcing them. Recently, we evaluated the cost of producing a component in-house versus outsourcing it to a supplier. After a careful analysis, we found that the external cost was 25% higher than in-house production. However, we also realized that making it in-house would cost us an additional $150,000 due to our fixed high base. Therefore, we decided to outsource it. We constantly review our production processes and make decisions based on what is most efficient and cost-effective for the company.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How does Jayco prepare for a potential downturn in the market?

Gerry Ryan : As a responsible business, we always have to be prepared for a potential downturn in the market. We regularly evaluate our breakeven point, which is currently at 45% of production. By understanding our break-even point, we can make better-informed decisions and be better equipped to weather any economic challenges.

Aboutcamp BtoB: European RV manufacturing groups also own other businesses and have acquired suppliers and brands that distribute accessories to dealers. However, there is now someone in Europe who is buying RV dealerships and creating their own network. What are your thoughts on this?

Gerry Ryan : We have no intention of buying dealerships. It is an individual business and can operate better under local management rather than from a head office. Therefore, we will not be getting into buying dealerships.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How did Jayco manage production problems caused by supply chain issues over the past two years?

Gerry Ryan : We faced 300 days of lockdown in Victoria, and a 550-day period was difficult due to people contracting COVID-19, resulting in a lot of absenteeism. We also faced supply chain issues as we import around 40% of our components. We

increased our raw stock by 60%. Although lead times increased, we were fortunate to have excess stock due to good management of supply departments.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What are you most proud of in your career?

Gerry Ryan : I am most proud of seeing people develop in their careers. Many employees started on the factory floor and worked their way up to management positions. We invest a lot of money in developing and training our employees and it’s gratifying to see them achieve their goals and personal development. Additionally, I am proud to see gender equality in our workplace, which is an important focus today.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Have you ever made mistakes?

Gerry Ryan : Yes, I make mistakes all the time. In fact, I probably made a mistake just five minutes ago.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How do you like to spend your money?

Gerry Ryan: I enjoy spending my money on my family and friends and my interests, such as my race horses and cycling team. But I also believe in giving back to the community, supporting Jayco-sponsored charities and other charities that help those in need.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What do you value most in life?

Gerry Ryan : Family and friends are what I value most in life, as well as people in general. It’s important to surround yourself with people who inspire you, support you, and bring joy to your life.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What comes after Gerry Ryan? You have three children - are any of them as passionate about caravanning as you are?

Gerry Ryan : My daughter has recently started assisting in the business with areas such as people and design. Additionally, my other son is on the board. We have recently appointed a new CEO, Andrew Hadjikakou, ex MD of PACCAR Australia Pty Ltd (truck manufacturer), so that I can take a back seat. However, it is a great industry, and I have had experience in other industries, through sporting organizations. Caravanning is my passion, and I do not see myself retiring for a while, although I will take a step back.

Two icons of the RV industry together at CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf 2022: Harald Striewski owner and founder of the German Hobby-Wohnwagenwerk, Ing. Harald Striewski GmbH and Gerry Ryan, founder and owner of Jayco Corporation Pty Ltd (Australia)

A decade of unstoppable growth

Westfalia: a historical name, a modern reality. We talk to the MD of Westfalia, Philip Kahm, about the amazing evolution of this iconic campervan brand

Words Antonio Mazzucchelli

Philip Kahm joined Westfalia in 2008. He studied economics and started at Westfalia in Wiedenbrück in the purchasing department, then went into project management and after that was the leader of the department. In 2016, Mike Reuer (CEO) asked him to create something new at Westfalia at Gotha (also in Germany) where Kahm started in the purchasing and logistics area, then developed to Commercial Director and became Managing Director in November 2022.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Could you draw an outline of Westfalia as its today and how it has grown?

Philip Kahm : Westfalia has a long history. The company has its 180th anniversary next year as it was founded in 1844. Westfalia has stood for the highest quality and innovation since it was founded. We especially look deep into the market to see what our customers want. We like to look at all the different ways we can ensure our customers get long-term enjoyment and satisfaction with our products.

That’s what the brand stands for in the past, the present and the future.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What were the stages in the evolution of Westfalia?

Philip Kahm : What started as a handicraft business in 1844 has developed into a company constructing special vehicles in the 21st century. As a result of a request from a British Army Officer in the 1950’s the first camping box was created to provide the possibility to sleep and work in the same vehicle. This concept was

so successful that the camping box was transferred to series production and brought camping to the masses, making this vehicle the dream car of the ‘50s and ‘60s. This was the beginning of the camping bus era and in cooperation with Ford, Mercedes and VW, many concepts and legends were created during this time and up to now, such as the Nugget, Marco Polo and the Club Joker and California were also designed by us. In 2000, Mercedes-Benz took us over 100%, but due to the economic crisis that followed sales decreased significantly, so it sold us to an investment group in 2008. This was not the best decision for us, but in 2011 the Rapido Group took us over and since then we have been able to develop our business in various areas.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What is the current corporate structure of Westfalia and where are Westfalia vehicles built?

Philip Kahm : Since 2011, the Westfalia brand has been part of the Rapido Group, managed by the Rousseau family.

In Germany, we have two main locations which work according to different concepts: on the one hand the Westfalen Mobil GmbH, located in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, which produces the Ford Nugget as well as the Mercedes Marco Polo on direct order from the vehicle manufacturers;

on the other hand, at the Westfalia Mobil GmbH, located in Gotha, for which I am responsible, we develop and manufacture products under the Westfalia brand, which we sell through our own dealer and sales network throughout Europe. We produce the Columbus series, the Amundsen series, the Club Joker series, the Meridian series and also the James Cook series. And we also have products which are produced at Fleurette Constructeuer in Benet (France): these products (the Jules Verne, the Kepler and the Kelsey) were especially built for the French market, as it is a little bit different from the German one and has different needs.

Aboutcamp BtoB: In which markets does Westfalia currently operate and how is the sales/service network structured? What are the main markets?

Philip Kahm : We have our own Westfalia dealer network in Europe with our own service contracts. Our main market for our core products is Germany which represents 65% of our sales. After that, Switzerland, the UK and France are our biggest export markets.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What has changed since joining the Rapido Group?

Philip Kahm : Pierre Rousseau (owner of the Rapido Group) recognised

the great potential of the campervan market very early and invested a lot in our company since taking it over in 2011. As a result, Westfalia has grown from producing 1,200 vehicles in 2010 to a total of over 12,000 vehicles last year, so we have developed very quickly in the last 10 years. The biggest challenge was to bring the Westfalia DNA when we started here at Gotha. But it was not easy as we need specialists, so finding good people was the first challenge. We started in Gotha with only one product back in 2017, the Amundsen 540, then step by step, we implemented the other products. We now have 120 people and have produced everything here for four years. We have come a long way. It is nice to look back at what we’ve done.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How do you interact with Rapido Group?

Philip Kahm : We work closely together and share best practise principles without losing the autonomy of our companies. We make the best possible use of the Group’s strengths and synergies, for example, in purchasing and development. We have a close network and usually have video conferences with everyone to bring us closer. We work very well together.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Westfalia’s focus has always been on campervans and

James Cook AD with slide-out and pop-up roof

Left: A historic Volkswagen T2 Westfalia with pop-up roof

mini-vans - is that still the case? Will there be any changes in the short to medium term?

Philip Kahm : The focus will stay on this segment. We do not want to change it as it is our core competence.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How did you react to the boom in campervans (based on Ducato, Transit, Sprinter...) that has taken place in recent years on the European market? Have you experienced an increase in demand or have you faced increased competition?

Philip Kahm : This was one reason for separating our business areas and opening a new locaton here in 2017

and have been investing a lot in joinery for good production quality so we can make our furniture ourselves. We invest more each year so we are ready for the next steps.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How did you deal with the supply crisis and in particular the lack of mechanical base vehicles?

Philip Kahm : It was a very big challenge and one of the biggest we have had to manage. We had to be very flexible in every area, not just production. We introduced alternative materials and processes faster than ever before, changed lines and found other ways to produce vehicles, plus also the flexibility to work from home for the office staff. Everything that we changed was done in the best possible way, but that does not mean that everything went optimally. The crisis was not nice for us because we had to switch lines from volume lines to other lines. At our operation in Gotha we use the Fiat Ducato, the Mercedes Sprinter, the Ford Transit, the TGE from MAN, and the VW Transporter T6.1.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What differentiates a Westfalia campervan to those from the competitors?

Philip Kahm : This is a big topic for me and my management team. We love camping ourselves and specifically look at this from our own point of view and how we can best support our customers’ needs.

For us, a main topic is to generate comfort and a good ambience in the cars, and we place great value on a modern, attractive design even for the smallest spaces. We find nice solutions to create the best possible space in the vehicle.

One of my favourite USPs is that for over 10 years we have engineered our own hot water and underfloor heating system. It works like at home and gives you have good air quality in the vehicle because you do not only have hot air. The heating system allows you to generate two climatic zones in the vehicle, for example, a different climate in the bathroom to the living area. This means you can dry laundry on a rainy day by turning on the heating in the bathroom and keep the living area at a different temperature, so you don’t have to heat the whole vehicle to the same temperature.

We also have our bench seat that you can move with one movement into a bed.

A big aim for us is to have the highest possible quality for the furniture for every vehicle we produce here. We design and produce to automotive standards.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Right now all the major groups are investing in minivans, also known as urban campers (based on Ford Transit Custom, Citroën SpaceTourer...): how are you involved in this new expansion of the market and what real growth

Columbus 540D

The Gotha plant

prospects do urban campers have, in your opinion?

Philip Kahm : The Ford Nugget, Mercedes Marco Polo and Volkswagen California are a big market. This area of the market has a big potential to grow because you can use them for daily use and (with a pop-up roof model) you can drive anywhere. You do not need a different car so these urban campers are good for people who want to go to campsites in their free time, so there is a big potential. Here at Westfalia in Gotha, we only have the Club Joker with a pop-up roof, but let’s see what happens in the future and the near future. Perhaps we have something we want to present to you soon.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Do you have an export market outside Europe, or is this in your future plans?

Philip Kahm : The brand awareness is still high in the USA. If you look for the hashtag #Westfalia on social media it not only describes a product, it describes a lifestyle. Let’s see what happens, not in the near future, but maybe in the middle or long term future we will take the Westfalia brand back to the USA. In a different homoligation region, it takes a long time to develop a new product.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What is your point of view on how to market your vehicles? Do national fairs (Düsseldorf, Paris, Parma...) still have their importance? Will online communications increasingly reduce the role of dealers and what are your marketing activities to keep your brand awareness as high as it is?

Philip Kahm : The campervan business is not like the automotive business which is trying to sell vehicles

via the internet and online platforms. Our business is more emotional –you have to touch and feel them, sit down on the seats and lie down on the bed to see if it is comfortable for you and if it fits your needs or not, so the fairs are a main event for us and in Germany – our core market. We will make sure we are represented in our core markets. We also want to transfer the pleasant experience of the fairs to our dealers, so that the customer has the opportunity to look at the products intensively and receive even more individual advice. For a prospective customer, a trade fair can also be stressful and confusing due to the large range of products on offer.

At the moment we are focusing on

brand awareness. We are rethinking our social media and PR strategy at the moment and want to look at it in more detail.

Meridian

Club Joker City with bed in pop-up roof

The bench seat that you can move into a bed

Following in the footsteps of older brother Jason, Jarod Lippert joined the family business in October 2001 as a business analyst, before ascending to the role of director of marketing and media in February 2015. Succeeding the retiring Joe Thompson as chief marketing officer in January this year, Lippert today holds responsibility for the development and implementation of the marketing strategy not only for the Lippert brand, but for the extensive portfolio of sub-brands acquired by the firm over the years, including CURT, Furrion, Ranch Hand, UWS, ARIES, Taylor Made and Lewmar, as they serve customers in markets around the world.

Managing success on the global market

Jarod Lippert has seen a lot of changes over a career that, so far, spans more than two decades at one of the world’s leading manufacturers of engineered components for the RV, recreational boating and automotive industries

Words Craig Ritchie

Lippert recently spoke with AboutCamp BtoB’s Craig Ritchie at the company’s Elkhart, Indiana global headquarters about current sales trends, employee engagement, and the role of automation in manufacturing.

Aboutcamp BtoB: We must begin with AboutCamp BtoB offering its congratulations on Lippert Components achieving US$5.2 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2022. That’s quite an accomplishment, and especially in a year that was defined by supply chain shortfalls and shipping headwinds worldwide.

Jarod Lippert : Thank you for that, and yes it was definitely a remark-

able year on a number of levels. When business conditions become challenging it’s critical to find new opportunities and try and innovate with meaningful new products. I honestly believe that $5.2 billion in revenue figure could have been higher without those headwinds, but you can’t worry about things that are beyond your control.

This coming year will be an interesting one for everyone, with the end of governments distributing pandemic stimulus payments and a huge number of people in the US having only recently bought new units in the last year or two and who are not yet ready to think about upgrading. Clearly, sales of new units have

slowed as a result, and are returning to more seasonal patterns, But campgrounds are full and people are using the product. In the big picture, that’s what matters. As an industry, we need to engage people for life, and that is what seems to be happening.

Aboutcamp BtoB: One item that stood out in Lippert’s 2022 financial report was the average level of content per unit. Is that a reflection of younger buyers looking for additional amenities that the traditional baby boomer market hasn’t demanded?

Jarod Lippert : I think that’s definitely part of it, and especially in terms of things like adding USB plugs and flat charge pads for mobile phones, which are obviously newer amenities that everyone wants. The level of electrification in modern units is higher than ever, and that brings opportunities to add exciting new features at a comparatively lower incremental cost.

Part of that growth lies in furniture as well, since we’ve all become accustomed to enjoying nicer seating in our homes and cars. We all like seats with added supports for greater comfort, and very soft upholstery that remains highly durable. I have to say, the craftsmanship that goes into upholstery work always impresses me and some of these pieces are just beautiful, very high quality designs that are built to an incredible quality standard, it’s a tremendous level of

craftsmanship.

Of course our R&D team is always experimenting and researching consumer experience to be able to identify where the market trends are leading. We want to be able to anticipate the customer’s needs and be ahead of that curve.

Aboutcamp BtoB: That would naturally apply to both OEM and aftermarket product lines, no doubt. Given the number of relatively new units now in use, what is the company’s outlook between OEM and aftermarket for this year?

Jarod Lippert : The lion share of our business has historically been as a supplier to OEMs. Our aftermarket business is newer, and growing. There is a lot of runway for new aftermarket products this year, we just need to get some of the new stuff across the finish line and I think we’ll see some further growth there.

While our marine products are fairly universal, on the RV side most of the products we make and sell here in the US don’t really suit the demands of the European caravanning market, partly being a result of differences in regulatory or industry standards, and partly being just a reflection of the size and weight of the units in the US versus there. The reality is there are more European products that come over here for sale in the US, serving that Class B market, in both the OEM and aftermarket segments. That includes a number of North American OEMs

who have become very interested in the acrylic windows from our Polyplastic plant in Rotterdam, as an example. Windows are heavy, so being able to cut weight is a big plus and it allows brands to differentiate from their competitors.

In some cases we will begin to manufacture products locally rather than ship them overseas if the demand is strong enough and steady enough. We have a bed lift line for caravans that we originally acquired in Italy. Now it’s become so popular in the US that we’ve begun to produce it here as well.

Aboutcamp BtoB: The comment in the March 2023 investor presentation calling for growth in the company’s international business was very interesting. Is that a result of this increased export activity?

Jarod Lippert : The market in Europe seems to be turning around a little bit, and early results are suggesting that that industry is beginning to show signs here and there of positive growth.

Here in the US, every source of data is showing things to be flat or trending down from where they were last year. Obviously, we’re comparing against what were some pretty remarkable volumes, but still. Inflationary pressures and higher interest rates have definitely had an impact on the market, so people who may have been sitting on the fence about buying a unit are now holding off instead of going to the dealership.

The Lippert Headquarters building in Elkhart, Indiana

Where it goes from here is anybody’s guess. I’ve been here for 20 years and in that time the industry has gone through a couple of cycles, but this one is different. What really drove inflation levels up were supply chain shortfalls and higher shipping costs, not an economic collapse. It’s a very unusual situation, and not one that we’ve seen before.

Aboutcamp BtoB: On that note, how is supply these days? Has that settled down by this point?

Jarod Lippert : Not entirely. We still have a hard time getting some parts – not all parts – but some parts. So that is another unusual situation, and we continue to work at it. I’m very proud of how hard our team has worked to bridge supply gaps since the start of the pandemic, and find parts to ensure our customers get what they need. They continue to do a great job.

Aboutcamp BtoB: That’s good to hear, and especially in an environment where competition for great employees remains high.

Jarod Lippert : We’re very fortunate in that we have a dedicated, talented team. Labour is top of mind for a lot of people, and especially in this part of the US where there is so much manufacturing activity between the RV industry, the marine industry and the auto sector. There is always high competition for talented people with strong skills.

A while back we just made the decision that the best way to attract and retain talented people is by simply making our business a great place to work. And we’ve made a serious effort to think about the things that matter to people. The reality is there’s absolutely nothing stopping any of our employees from walking out the door and going to work for a competitor. But if people are happy, truly happy, then they simply won’t want to leave. So we put a lot of emphasis on ensuring our team members feel safe in their work environment, that they feel valued for the contribution they make, and that they can feel secure and part of a broader community.

We have invested heavily in ensuring our culture is professional and attractive, that team members have legitimate opportunities to grow with the company, and that we’re good corporate neighbors by being engaged with the communities we’re in and supporting philanthropic ventures. We do sometimes have people leave, but in a lot of cases, they come back and it feels good when they do. It means they did feel valued here, and they want to return to this environment we tried so hard to create. We really do want people to be happy here because, again, there’s nothing to stop them from leaving otherwise.

Aboutcamp BtoB: That’s an interesting approach to labour manage -

ment – and quite different from that of the auto industry, which appears to have chosen to try and automate just about anything it can.

Jarod Lippert : I suppose it is, but automation does have a place in modern manufacturing. There are some processes which we try to automate, such as in our glass business and our chassis business. If you can have robots do jobs that could otherwise expose your team members to injury, then that’s a very good thing. And for products with a lot of repeatability, there is a case for automation. But you have to be judicious about what you try to automate. A lot of the products that we build are extremely complex and require a level of craftsmanship that doesn’t always lend itself to robotics. We have some extremely complex processes in our chassis business, for example, and the furniture production is another area where there’s just a huge level of skill involved.

That being the case, we’re more focused on a process of continuous improvement. We have a program within the company called Just Fix It, or JFI for short. And we challenge every single team member throughout the entire company, no matter what level they’re at, to speak out if they see something in their everyday activities that could be made better. We’ve subsequently received thousands of these Just Fix Its suggestions come through for consideration. Sometimes they’re big things, most often they’re little, simple things but collectively, they all add up in a really meaningful way. So we now have entire teams of people devoted to this process of continuous improvement and the results have been nothing short of remarkable. So whereas automation sometimes can’t come in and fix your problems, these little JFIs can have an enormous impact. It goes back to what we were saying earlier about employee engagement, people see their contributions being taken seriously and the entire workplace improving as a result of this team effort. Who wouldn’t want to be part of something like that?

Product compatible with Fiat Ducato, Citroen Jumper and Peugeot Boxer Chassis from

Change agent

Anthony Wollschlager took the reigns as Airxcel group president in the midst of a global pandemic and a business environment defined by supply chain chaos, daily logistics meltdowns and global economic uncertainty. Fast forward 18 months and Airxcel hasn’t just survived, but has thrived under his lead

Words Craig Ritchie

Talk about a guy with a unique sense of timing. Following a seven-year stint at Wesco Distribution that culminated in the role of director and general manager of manufactured structures, Anthony Wollschlager joined Elkhart, Indiana-based Dicor Corporation in February 2016 to assume the role of chief operating officer, with responsibility for its Dicor Products, Seal-Tite, United Shade and Vixen brands. Named division president the following October, Wollschlager was subsequently appointed Airxcel Inc group president in 2021 as the world clawed its way through a global pandemic, catastrophic international supply chain upheavals and the most severe logistics disruptions in recorded history. Not one to back away from challenge, Wollschlager made the most of the opportunity afforded by his newly created role. Under his leadership, the company’s Dicor Products, United Shade, Vixen Composites, MCD, ECI, Cleer Vision Windows and Cleer Vision Tempered Glass business units didn’t just survive the pandemic, but managed to grow both OEM and aftermarket revenues despite incessant operational headwinds. The company has also expanded its market footprint under Wollschlager’s watch, with Velarium awnings and Cleer Vision doors launching in late 2022. Airxcel is also on schedule to launch two new brands by Q3 2023.

AboutCamp BtoB recently traveled to Elkhart, Indiana, to speak with Wollschlager about the unique opportunities presented in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the normalization of the RV industry and the growth potential of the aftermarket.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Airxcel has recently entered into a number of product categories the company hasn’t offered in the past. Can you tell us about the thought behind that and how they complement the existing portfolio?

Anthony Wollschlager: There have been a number of exciting changes in the past 18 months, starting with our entry into the awning business. A number of people on our leadership team have considerable experience with awnings, and with that incredible knowledge base at our disposal, it just made sense for us to enter that product category. Certainly from a skillset and product experience standpoint, it wasn’t a stretch for us to enter this space.

The same can be said for Suburban launching an entrance doorstep. Suburban is well known for its water heaters, furnaces, and cooking appliances. But ultimately at the simplest of levels, they’re a metal fabrication company. And leveraging that skillset to fabricate other products, like entrance doorsteps, was something that makes sense. There was a clear opportunity, and we had the means to take it on. Baggage doors was yet another opportunity for us to leverage skill sets. There are a lot of synergies between how a window is manufactured at our Cleer Vision business, and how a baggage door is manufactured. The processes are very, very similar so again, it just made sense for us to be there. As we saw the decline in the RV sector begin to approach last year, we challenged our teams to leverage their core competencies and see where we could increase our share of product placement. These were some of the opportunities that we identified. Those are the three major product

categories that we launched at the end of last year, and they’re now coming to commercialization through the OEM space. Airxcel has always been focused on growth and expansion, so that approach is going to continue.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Are these new categories primarily focused on the US market, or are these product categories that Airxcel might bring into Europe?

Anthony Wollschlager: Our goal is always to be a global leader and there are opportunities for some products that we’re producing to go to Europe and other international markets. It doesn’t apply to everything, but where there’s an opportunity, we will always look to expand our footprint. If it makes sense, we’ll do it.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How does adding these new categories impact production capacity overall?

Anthony Wollschlager: To accommodate the baggage doors and awnings we have invested in facility expansions. We’re in the process of significantly increasing the output capacity of our Coleman-Mach air conditioning plant in Wichita, Kansas, with that scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

Here in Elkhart, we have acquired a new building for Vixen to have their own distribution center. In the past that function was spread across different facilities, and now they have their own dedicated facility to receive and ship from, so that was a nice addition. At Elkhart Composites we’re in the process of setting up all of our new equipment arriving from Europe in order for us to scale that business as a Luan and Azdel replacement. We recently acquired yet another building locally that we moved all of our distribution business into, which is larger in scale and allows us to reclaim manufacturing space elsewhere for awnings and baggage doors. We’re adding a secondary tempering oven for our glass fabrication business and, in Colorado,

Airxcel family of brands for the RV industry

we just acquired a new building for our Aqua Hot business. We’ve been busy.

Aboutcamp BtoB: When we last spoke in August of 2021 you talked about the pandemic having brought challenges, in addition to unique opportunities. Were these the types of opportunities you hinted at?

Anthony Wollschlager: Yes and no. I don’t think anyone foresaw the industry rebounding as quickly as it did after Covid, nor do I think anyone foresaw the ensuing supply chain, inflation and labour challenges that followed. But I really do believe that challenge brings opportunity.

The opportunity was to grow rapidly on the tailwind that the pandemic brought. That was very tactical, especially when compounded by the supply, logistics and labour challenges. Now that things have stabilized, the industry can shift to address new opportunities built on adopting a more strategic approach that’s focused on sustainable, long-term growth.

Aboutcamp BtoB: I don’t think anybody anticipated the great number of first-time buyers entering into the market either. Now that these new buyers have been in-market for 18 months or so, are your customers indicating any changes in the equipment they need to equip units to appeal to these younger tastes?

Anthony Wollschlager: The goal has always been to make sure a customer’s first camping experience is a positive one. But because younger buyers have different expectations, what it means to satisfy those expectations has changed. And it ranges from simply having charging ports for phones and tablets, to modern décor items, light weight options, easy to service options and overall greater comfort. The result is that a lot of content has been added to units, yet there are still price points that need to be met. There’s a delicate balance between feature content and affordability that needs to be maintained, and both OEMs and consumers alike are navigating through that right now. Our focus is to make sure that the products that we provide are bringing real value and I think we’ve been successful in that.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What does this normalization of the RV industry mean to Airxcel in terms of its OEM and aftermarket balance?

Anthony Wollschlager: Aftermarket has always been a significant element of our business. We’ve seen strong aftermarket sales in calendar Q4 and calendar Q1, which is typical for the segment and it’s been helpful to us as sales of new units have slowed from the frantic pace of last year. History has shown us that when OEM sales slow, the aftermarket often becomes more robust as consumers put off buying a new unit and, instead, renovate or upgrade the one they already have, much like the residential housing market.

I think it’s also worth considering that at least some of those first-time buyers may now be looking to make upgrades. They may have a standard air conditioner, for example, but want to upgrade that to a quiet series from Coleman-Mach. As new RVers spend more time using their units, it’s likely they will want to make some changes to personalize to suit their own unique tastes and requirements.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Airxcel has been active in the M&A space for the past few years. How has the post-Covid normalization of the RV business impacted M&A opportunities? Has it brought about an increase in opportunities?

Anthony Wollschlager : I like acquisition because it gives you the fastest path to driving revenues and margins, compared with doing it organically. And there are always opportunities to acquire different business interests, but they have to be good opportunities, and they have to fit with our long-term strategy before

they really interest us. Seeing through the upheavals of the last few years to gain a proper perspective on values is probably the bigger challenge right now.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Have the technological changes that we’ve seen over the past few years made RV component manufacturing less of a continental and more of a global business?

Anthony Wollschlager: That really depends on the specific product and application. If we’re talking about structural products that aren’t really visible to the consumer, then yes there is greater opportunity to utilize common components in multiple geographic markets. But it’s a bit different with equipment that’s visible to the consumer. European OEMs and consumers more often want a bespoke finish, for example, and that’s particularly true in categories like galley equipment. So in some ways the business has become less continental, while in others, it really hasn’t.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How has technology impacted manufacturing itself? Before the pandemic we were hearing all about new fabrication technologies that promised to significantly reduce production costs. Is that factoring into the business today?

Anthony Wollschlager: Absolutely, and it’s not just manufacturing technology – there have been great advances in warehousing and distribution technology as well, and that is a very important part of any supply business. We all know that skilled labour is critical and we have always placed a huge

priority on worker safety. There are some processes which we want to automate that can protect workers from potential problems like repetitive stress injuries, for example. People think of automation mainly in terms of operational paybacks, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Creating a safer work environment and improving product quality are harder to quantify, but they’re extremely important in the big picture. Technology is allowing this to happen.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How are you finding supply and logistics these days? Has that situation stabilized or are there still challenges?

Anthony Wollschlager: Things have artificially settled down in the eyes of our customers, but global supply challenges are still prevalent. When the RV OEM space softened, it softened rapidly. The supply base likely found themselves in a high inventory position. I believe that inventory position has ultimately shielded OEMs from some of the logistical supply chain challenges that are still out there.

There are still supply challenges today, but the impacts of supply shortfalls are less. Our customers are not feeling the impact the same way that they were. Moving forward, as supply hiccups ease further we should be in good shape to make the most of the momentum we’ve all been able to build.

About Airxcel

Airxcel began in 1991, when the Coleman Company spun-off their Coleman RV Air Conditioner division to a group of company executives. Since that time, the company has continued to grow through innovative product development, market expansion and strategic acquisitions. Airxcel provides industry-leading products in recreational vehicle heating, cooling, ventilation, cooking, window coverings, interior and exterior sidewall and roofing systems under the brands: AquaHot, CAN, Cleer Vision Windows, Cleer Vision Tempered Glass, Coleman-Mach, Dicor Products, ECI, Maxxair, MCD, Suburban, United Shade, Vixen Composites. Airxcel is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, and has 11 facilities across the U.S. and Europe.

System-relevant carriers

AL-KO Vehicle Technology presents bicycle and motorcycle carrier systems for any mobile model

Cycle and motorcycle carrier systems are now an integral part of every motorhome. So it’s important to have the right carrier for each individual vehicle. Campervans with rear doors have other requirements to a motorhome or vehicle with a rear garage. AL-KO Vehicle Technology, as a company with decades of caravanning history and experience, has

Carrier systems for campervans

Words Peter Hirtschulz

hooked up with its brand Sawiko to develop a portfolio of carrier systems that are optimally designed for every vehicle type. It is important that you choose the right model and pay attention to its load capacity, quality, safety and comfortable handling before deciding on a purchase. Aboutcamp has looked at the comprehensive offer.

“Free access to rear doors,” is usually a requirement for carrier systems for campervans. The most comfortable variants are the pivoting models. These allow the camper van’s rear doors to be opened easily even with the bicycle carrier on it, without any conversion work required. With one exception the following variants are equipped with this function for different vehicle models.

TRIGO-VAN

This bicycle carrier for vans offers free access to the rear doors at all times. Its user-friendly and ergonomic design allows the rear carrier to be swivelled effortlessly and safely, even with a maximum load. With a payload of 80 kilograms, the TRIGO-VAN is designed to hold a maximum of three bicycles or e-bikes. Thanks to its design and assembly, the construction is stable and so optimally adapted to the corresponding vehicle types. The TRIGO-VAN is currently available for the FIAT Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Jumper. The carrier can be folded up while the towbar remains fully usable.

KAWA II

The Kawa II is very popular with mobile holidaymakers and can be used for almost all campervan models. The KAWA II’s modular design makes it extremely versatile and ideally suited for bikes, scooters or both together. If required, the KAWA II can be ‘fully loaded’ with 150 to 200 kilograms. The KAWA II is equipped with a retaining bracket that can be comfortably removed for access to the rear doors.

TRIGO-VAN

AGITO VAN

This rear carrier for the Ford Westfalia Nugget, Ford Tourneo Custom and Fiat Ducato van models has a load capacity of 60 kilograms in the basic version and is designed to transport two bicycles. It can stretch to three cycles. Thanks to its practical swing arm, the rear door can still be easily accessed with this model.

Carrier systems for motorhomes

AGITO

120/150

These rear carriers, specially developed for (almost all) vans, can take up to 120 or 150 kilograms. It can be used to transport up to four bikes or e-bikes, or even one light scooter, effortlessly. The aluminium carrier system can be completely swivelled out using a jockey wheel, so that the rear doors are always accessible with this model too.

AGITO TOP

With a load capacity of up to 80 kilograms, the AGITO TOP, the AGITO model’s ‘little brother’, is also suitable for transporting one or two e-bikes on almost any van model. It can be swung out when loaded and has a foldable transport platform.

With motorhomes, there are basically several ways to transport bicycles, scooters etc. There are both rear carrier and rear garage transport solutions. Frame-mounted rear carriers have a lower centre of gravity and therefore offer significant advantages in terms of stability, load capacity and safety compared to carriers mounted directly on the motorhome’s rear wall. For using a rear garage for transporting cycles or motorcycles, AL-KO VT offers convenient carrier systems with convenient loading.

VELO III REAR CARRIER

This model is a real flyweight: At only 16 kilograms, this rear carrier achieves great things: with its payload of 80 kilograms, it is also suitable for e-bikes. The VELO III’s platform can be folded up to save space.

VARIO REAR CARRIER

With a weight of less than 30 kilograms, the VARIO offers a load capacity of 150 kilograms and can thus accommodate four bicycles or a combination of two wheels and one scooter. This carrier, like all Sawiko products, can be mounted without tools and can simply be folded up when not in use.

It can be stated that the AL-KO VT carrier range not only meets the technical needs of every vehicle type. The equipment, with user-friendly functions and the relevant safety components, offers trouble-free use of the vehicle and comfort for motorhome owners — in line with the slogan: “AL-KO — Quality for life!”.

BASIC REAR CARRIER

This BASIC entry-level model lets you transport four bicycles or a light motorbike weighing up to 100 kilograms. The option to convert it to a box with tarpaulin is interesting: whereby a weatherproof PVC tarpaulin is attached to the aluminium frame with a zip fastener and twist locks – creating a lightweight yet sturdy box for more storage space, privacy and weather protection.

LIGERO III REAR CARRIER

The LIGERO III is a lightweight aluminium carrier with a high payload of a maximum of 150 kilograms for up to four cycles. Optionally a scooter can also be transported, and if desired, two cycles with it.

MIKRO II REAR CARRIER

With a load capacity of 120 kilograms, the MIKRO II is suitable for transporting up to four bicycles or one classic 125cc scooter.

Ligero III

Mikro II

Fan ventilation: climatic comfort on board with low energy consumption

SEEKR by Caframo supplies the global RV industry with an energy-efficient fan ventilation system that supports air circulation in the vehicle while saving space

Caframo is a Canadian manufacturer of premium products, including fans, heaters, laboratory stirrers, and accessories for various markets, including – and most notably –12V and 24V fans that have become essential accessories for the motorhome and campervan industry.

The company, which takes its name from “Canadian Fractional Motors (Ca-Fra-Mo),” was established in the Americas after WWII by Hans Heidolph, a German entrepreneur looking for a location to transfer his business from Europe. In 1954, the Heidolph family purchased a Wiarton

(Ontario) factory and restarted the production of motor winding and small engines that work with less than one horsepower. These motors are commonly used in household appliances and laboratory equipment, including laboratory overhead stirrers, speciality fans, and heaters. Caframo was the first to market a thermoelectric fan under the Ecofan brand in 1994.

Words Enrico Bona

SEEKR by Caframo

The SEEKR by Caframo brand offers a line of premium fans and heaters designed and developed for the extreme conditions of open sea navigation in boats and exploring vast and wild territories aboard a motorhome or campervan. These high-quality products provide maximum climatic comfort.

While air conditioning is a typical onboard convenience, it is a giant energy consumer, noisy, and may only sometimes be necessary for comfortable vehicle climate control. SEEKR fans meet the needs of even the most demanding camper by providing comfort in every situation while offering much lower consumption of onboard batteries compared to air con.

The Sirocco II fan stands out in the SEEKR line, developed for maximum energy and space savings while providing exceptionally high performance and comfort levels. The Sirocco II fan has found a natural application onboard recreational vehicles and was intro -

duced to the European RV industry during the Caravan Salon 2022 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Recently, Caframo has complemented the Sirocco II by increasing its warranty from two to three years. As the top choice for OEMs in Australia, the company aims to become the go-to option for European RV manufacturers offering full service and a conveniently located warehouse in the Netherlands.

The easy-to-install, versatile 12V/24V (auto-sensing) Sirocco II features an innovative gimbaled design for 360° directional airflow across threespeed settings providing unmatched comfort. Go off-grid with peace of mind and minimal battery strain as the Sirocco II only draws 0.35A on its highest 12V setting and provides powerful airflow up to 314 m³/hr.

The Sirocco II has four auto-off options (3,6,9 and 12 hours) and is ultra-quiet for a restful night’s sleep. The Sirocco II measures only 24.1x9.5x31.1 cm with a 178 mm soft, flexible FingerSafe™ blade. Because every bit of space on board is valuable, the fan easily folds flat against the wall, so it can be out of the way when unneeded.

To withstand harsh environments, Sirocco II is made with plastic, which is specifically designed to withstand harsh marine environments, highly resistant to saltwater, UV rays, and other environmental factors that can cause degradation and deterioration over time. Sirocco II is slam-tested by up to 10G of force.

Caframo has a solid sixty-year legacy of building quality products in Canada for the global market. The company provides B2B customers with 360° service, which includes market research, product design, and manufacturing. All Caframo products undergo qualitative and functional testing and have CE, UL, UKCA, RoHS, and WEEE certifications.

Great little fridge

The choice of compressor refrigerators spans several ranges: the new Slim models provide generous internal capacity with compact external dimensions

After the investments made in the creation of the innovative Plein-Aircon 12V air conditioner, which is now well established on the market, Indel B is now focusing more attention on the refrigerator range with OFF, proposing new solutions including the compact Slim models. Moreover, the Italian company, which was founded in 1967, has become a world leader in the production of compressor refrigerators for industrial vehicles, supplying leading manufacturers. The expansion of the refrigerator range to the RV sector, which came later, has now been ongoing for years and includes supplies for both the original equipment and the after-market. The new proposals are designed to meet the needs of an ever-changing market.

The Elite line Elite is the line of compressor refrigerators with a stylish design that represents the ideal solution for built-in installations where the front is on display. The door has an appealing ap-

pearance thanks to the stainless steel effect featuring an anti-fingerprint finish and a flush handle with a minimalist design. Similar to the models in the Cruise line, the Elite models are equipped with energy-efficient SECOP compressors and guarantee silence for comfort in any situation. Thanks to the Easy Fix system, fitting operations are quick and straightforward.

Elite 42 and 49 are the two smallest models and, despite their compact size, are equipped with a freezer compartment and can hold bottles both vertically and horizontally.

The two intermediate models Elite 65 and 85 have an excellent capacity that is well suited for international standard formats of drinks and packages. The shelves can be repositioned and accessories are included, making the interior of all models highly adaptable to maximise space utilisation.

The Elite 130 is the largest compressor refrigerator in the Elite line, the ultimate expression of Indel B technology for those who don’t want to sacrifice comfort when travelling and add a

Words Renato Antonini

touch of style to the interior of their motorhome. Large inside and compact outside, it is designed to offer maximum flexibility when organising interior space. It has shelves that can be repositioned and can hold bottles of up to 1.5 litres both on the balcony shelf and inside, but can also store fruit and vegetables in the pull-out drawer.

The Drawer line

The Drawer line - with the two models DR49 and DR65 - is the perfect solution for smaller camper vans, and converted vans and especially popular for unconventional built-in installations that fit into any on-board space. The drawer-opening mechanism allows the refrigerator to be easily opened and closed with one single, smooth movement, thanks to the indestructible stainless steel guides equipped with roller bearings. The interior space can be configured with extreme flexibility thanks to the drawers with drawers with repositionable compartments, the freezer drawer and accessories.

All the models in the Elite and Drawer lines belong to climate class ST (operation at room temperature from 16°C to 38°C).

Both lines have been available for purchase in Italy and abroad for several months now.

The Slim line

The truly new addition is the new Slim line, soon to be available on the market with the three models Slim 70, Slim 90 and Slim 140. The Slim range caught the attention of visitors at the leading European trade fairs in 2022. These new compressor refrigerators are ideal for installation in vans and, more generally, in vehicles with limited interior space, thanks to their vertical

construction that reduces their width. This feature, however, allows a generous internal capacity to be maintained.

The first model in the line is the Slim 70, with a capacity of 70 litres. The consumption is only 0.290 kWh/24h and the power input is 38 W.

The Slim 90 is the medium-sized model and has a capacity of 90 litres. The consumption of the Slim 90 is 0.340 kWh/24h (power input: 38 W).

The Slim 140 is the largest in the line, with a height of 145 cm and a capacity of 140 litres. The consumption is 0.450 kWh/24h with a power input of 70 W. The front door panel is customisable and has a reversible opening. The digital LED control panel has modern, clear and intuitive graphics. Thanks to the Power Saving mode, it is possible to optimise consumption during standby use, with significant energy savings while preserving battery life. A handy Silent Night function also allows you to enjoy greater acoustic comfort while still maintaining a high level of cooling performance. All three models are equipped with the Easy Fix sys-

tem, which allows for easier and faster built-in installation than the traditional system. The Slim 140 belongs to climate class ST, while 70 and 90 belong to climate class T, a feature that should not be underestimated because it guarantees the perfect functioning of the products up to 43°C.

Plein-Aircon 12V

Last but not least, there is one product from Indel B OFF that continues to enjoy success in the world of outdoors, and that is the Plein-Aircon 12V air conditioner. To date, it is the only model on the market powered by 12 volts that works both when stationary and on the move. The Plein-Aircon 12V is powered by the auxiliary battery and compared to 220V solutions does not require the installation of an inverter or generator. This revolutionary air conditioner significantly reduces consumption, reaching a minimum of 16 amp/h in automatic mode, while still guaranteeing ideal levels of climatic comfort in the passenger compartment.

OFF Drawer

Plein-Aircon 12V

High quality, low weight

Vetroresina S.p.A. presents Vetro Mat LD, the lightweight laminate panel that saves weight and cuts costs at the same time

Words Renato Antonini

Vetroresina S.p.A. began experimenting with lightweight laminate panels to meet the needs of European motorhome constructors in 2016. They quickly went from testing to production and today, just a few years later, the Italian company can offer an entire range of lightweight products. This is the case of Vetro Mat LD, a laminate panel that is comparable to traditional products but is significantly lighter. The acronym LD stands for Low Density allowing a weight reduction of up to 20% compared to traditional laminate panels of the same thickness.

“Vetro Mat LD laminate belongs to a family of innovative products designed to reduce the weight of material used in vehicle construction” , said Fabrizio Baglioni, Commercial Director of Vetroresina S.p.A. “The R&D department of Vetroresina S.p.A. has recently developed a new technology precisely for this purpose. Special

plastic microspheres are mixed with the polyester resin before the resin is dispensed. These microspheres expand during the chemical reaction, making the product lighter. In a nutshell, this means lighter laminates for the same thickness. Conversely, thicker panels can be obtained for the same weight reducing the risk of imperfections on the walls”

Low Density laminates and RV industry

Vetro Mat LD laminates offer the same appearance effect as traditional products, without skimping on mechanical performance. For instance, a sandwich panel construction type with an outer (road side) and inner (passenger compartment side) fibreglass sheet, from 20 to 30 kilograms of weight can be saved for a motorhome from 7 to 7.5 metres long. This is no small matter as the market quickly appreciated. The laminate

Fabrizio Baglioni

panels are ideal for a variety of applications. They can be used for the exterior and interior cladding of sandwich walls, as well as for rooves and floors. They can also be applied in the construction of doors and hatches.

“The new lightweight laminates are cost-effective, the thickness being the same. They cost the customer less than traditional products” , Fabrizio Baglioni continued. “Microsphere technology was created several years ago, with the goal of weight reduction, but we must not forget that over time resins have become much more expensive, so using a smaller amount of resin allows us to cut costs”

Vetro Mat LD laminates are produced in various thicknesses, from 1.3 mm up to 3.0 mm. The specific weight varies from a minimum of 1.60 kg/sqm to a maximum of 3.65 kg/sqm. Particularly popular for wall construction is the 1.5 mm thickness, which weighs just 1.85 kg/sqm. Vetro Mat LD is marketed in rolls with a maximum length of 60 metres and a width ranging from 1800 to 3400 mm. Rolls of 120 metres (with a maximum width of 2800 mm) are supplied on request.

Variable sheets from 1200 to 3100 mm are also available. Vetro Mat LD laminate panels have good mechanical properties and appearance. The lightweight construction does not decrease the remarkable strength of the panels or their attractiveness. Flatness, for instance, has both aesthetic and constructive advantag-

es. Being smooth, the panels can be combined with a shiny or matt exterior finish. The customer can choose various colour solutions for the interior finish, on the other hand. Vetro Mat LD embodies the characteristics that have determined the success of Vetroresina S.p.A.’s classic laminate panels over the years, namely UV stability, good resistance to weathering, including rain and hail, good abrasion resistance, ease of cleaning and good chemical resistance.

“Vetro Mat LD was born out of studies conducted several years ago within Vetroresina S.p.A. but it is equally

true that this product has benefited from the considerable changes that have taken place in the company in recent years” , Fabrizio Baglioni added. “This laminate panel is made on the new semi-automated production lines, the result of major investments by Vetroresina S.p.A. New production technologies allow precise material distribution while automated control systems allow the exact amount of material to be poured onto the rolling tables, achieving mechanical and aesthetic improvements with a significant reduction in defects”

The new production lines

The new production lines have been in operation since 2020 and are part of a major modernisation plan of the company that kicked off in 2016. Automated lines and newly constructed buildings allow the company to cope with the growing demands of the market, especially the RV market where the company is a benchmark for the supply of construction materials. With these investments, Vetroresina S.p.A. is increasingly asserting its leadership in the production of fibreglass and polyester resin laminate panels. Its appreciation in the RV sector is growing, being able to meet the demands of many vehicle manufacturers in Europe and North America. The company’s production capacity has been increased to 6 million square metres per year, and along with the production, the quality of the laminate panels – traditional and innovative alike – has grown becoming ideal alternatives for other classic materials used in the RV industry.

VETRO-LD

The main Vetroresina S.p.A. plant in Ferrara, North of Italy

Vetro Mat LD: significant weight savings and a high flatness with the same glass fibre content and a smooth surface

Celebrating 50 Years

The Maller Group celebrated its 50th anniversary by extending a warm invitation to all its loyal customers and suppliers to visit its factories for a two-day event filled with product showcases, industry insights and fun activities. The event not only highlighted the Maller Group’s exceptional products but also provided valuable insights into the global RV market

Maller celebrated its first 50 years of business in grand style. As part of the Sandei group, the company specializes in the production of faced panels for the RV and mobile home industry. The company hosted a weekend of team building and entertainment for its customers and suppliers.

The day began with a plant tour where visitors were divided into groups according to their number. They were able to gain direct knowledge of Maller’s production process by being in contact with raw materials, machinery, and technical personnel.

Nicola di Benedetto, Manager of Maller, and the Sandei family provided guidance throughout the tour. The

enthusiasm of Maller’s team for this event was contagious and captivated the visitors. They scrutinized every detail and asked innumerable questions, fostering a pleasant atmosphere of curiosity and sharing of experiences, even though they were from competing companies.

Maller’s hospitality was exceptional, not only in the hotel where the customers stayed but also in the sumptuous location chosen for the welcome conference: the extraordinary Ruote Da Sogno in Reggio Emilia, which translates to “dream wheels” in English and is a remarkable venue for classic two and four-wheeled vehicles.

Maller and the Sandei Group reside in that Italian land consecrated by tradi-

tion to racing engines, a few kilometers from the most famous car manufacturers such as Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini, and they are equally interpreters of extreme performance in their products. In the halls of this extraordinary location, among some of the most iconic cars from the world’s most prestigious, racing, and luxurious brands, Maller hosted aperitifs, a delicious cooking show, and a conference. The conference was conducted in the friendly and very human Italian style that distinguishes the “Sandei family.”

Maurizio Sandei and Nicola di Benedetto entertained the audience by speaking about their new products and, most importantly, the company’s 50th anniversary. The convivial atmo-

Words and photo Enrico Bona

Maurizio Sandei

sphere was filled with toasts, speeches by customers, and cheerfulness. The visibly moved Maurizio Sandei spoke from the heart and captivated the audience with his heartfelt speech, making it a memorable event for all who attended.

“I was eagerly waiting for you all and seeing that you have arrived moves me sincerely. On behalf of the entire Maller Group, I would like to thank you for the trust and support you have given us over the years,” said Maurizio Sandei, the founder of the company, before returning to enjoy the evening. “Your satisfaction is the foundation of our work, a driving force that always pushes us to search for better performance, with products that bring research and quality to the recreational vehicle industry.”

Later in the evening, Nicola di Benedetto took to the stage, saying: “We are infinitely grateful to our guests for attending this event because it is thanks

to each one of them that all of this is possible. Maller celebrates 50 years of activity together with its customers because it is with them that it has grown, with their commitment, sacrifice, desire to innovate, and improve themselves and the market. The company today has the great added value of having an important family behind it, which imbues the company with its main spirit and wants to transmit and share this enthusiasm.”

Since the Sandei family acquired Maller, there has been an acceleration towards the search for new solutions, bringing innovation to the wood paneling field, which can express novelty only through large investments and competitive and far-sighted entrepreneurs.

“Our goal in the supply chain, with two large owned companies such as Maller and Compensati Colorno, is to control the entire production process starting from the raw material, to produce

ever more competitive panels in terms of lightness and performance and increasingly eco-friendly, in line with what our customers require,” adds Nicola di Benedetto.

Maller invests not only in raw materials and research to produce ever lighter timber, but also in order flow management, to ensure its customers a high-performance service.

“The Maller Group adapts itself according to the market’s circumstances and based on customer requests,” concludes Nicola di Benedetto in his thanks. “We are planning and investing heavily in this direction; we are growing and striving, thanks to you and your trust, but above all, thanks to the daily challenges posed by our customers. We humbly request that you continue to challenge us with new opportunities and provide us with the privilege to present you with even better solutions.”

The new Maller wood

By using paulownia wood, Maller is able to offer a lightweight, durable, fireproof and extremely low water absorption furniture panel

Words Renato Antonini

Maller is ready to revolutionise the RV furniture sector with a new product offering unique characteristics, a product that is a winner in many respects, starting with its reduced weight. A new panel has been launched on the market, which is no longer based on traditional poplar wood, but on paulownia wood. The interior design of motorhomes and caravans remains primarily based on wood-derived materials, but a variety of alternative panel types and finishes exist. In recent years, Maller has met the needs of European RV builders by supplying melamine-faced panels, relying on the power of a strong industrial group, which oversees the entire production chain, from plantations to the preparation of the panels for finishing with melamine. To meet the needs of a changing RV sector, Maller began researching a new type of panel in early 2022. Officially presented at Maller’s

50th anniversary event, the new product is made from paulownia wood.

“During the most difficult times of the post-pandemic crisis, when the production sector was gripped by a lack of materials, Maller clearly demonstrated its ability to be close to its customers,” explains Nicola Di Benedetto, Maller’s Manager, “by having uninterrupted supplies and considerable flexibility in those supplies, as the market demanded. So

that we could offer our customers even more, we started researching a new wooden panel and today, after a year and a half of work, with numerous trials and various certifications, we’re able to offer this new product to the RV sector”.

The paulownia panel

The new panel with a paulownia blockboard core will be an addition to Maller’s current range, and stands out due

Elisabetta Sandei Nicola Di Benedetto

Paulownia panel supported with excimer varnish

Paulownia panel calendered with recycled PET leaves

Paulownia panel calendered with PP

to its indisputable advantages. Several customers to whom it was offered as a preview have already decided to adopt it for the 2024 production. Paulownia wood is considered to be the “aluminium” among wood species, because it combines lightness with mechanical strength. It is also a wood with very low water absorption and is almost totally fireproof. Widespread mainly throughout Asia, in the past paulownia wood has been used in Europe for particular and prestigious uses in the nautical and aeronautical field, in the musical instrument sector and in the construction of windsurfing and surfboards, due to its characteristic lightness, resistance and low water absorption. Only recently, has it also become more widespread in the furniture and window and doorframe sector, as well as in the construction of wooden houses. Its advantages are considerable and have particular relevance in the RV sector.

“In recent years, weight reduction has become increasingly important for European RV builders,” says Elisabetta Sandei, Maller’s CEO, “and we want to play our part. The new paulownia panels are lightweight, and if we consider that 1.5 kg can be saved on each panel, we soon realise that on an entire furnishing system consisting of fifteen to eighteen panels, the reduction is considerable.”

Maller’s panel is treated and used in the same way as poplar plywood, with decorative paper finishing. But it has the advantage that there are no imperfections, such as knots, so it can bring out the best qualities of the décor. But if you wish, you can also do away with covering it with decorative paper: paulownia wood can be varnished to show off all the natural wood characteristics.

“Thanks to this new product,” Nicola Di Benedetto continues, “we can rediscover the naturalness of wood, the perception of real wood. These possibilities are already finding favour in the home furniture sector”.

The lightness combined with the strength allows the 25 mm thick panel to be used directly as a table top, with only the addition of an edging and varnish, thereby replacing traditional tables made of honeycomb or other sandwich systems. Screws can be freely attached to the panel, which allows extreme freedom in positioning the support leg and hinges. Processing times are reduced, construction steps and subsequent possible defects due to the use of adhesives and covering surfaces are eliminated.

“The Sandei Group owns a company in China, thanks to which it has direct control over the Chinese paulownia plantations,” Elisabetta Sandei concludes, “and we can obtain certifications according to European parameters directly.”

The new panels are currently produced in the following thicknesses: 12, 15, 16, 18, 25 and 40 mm.

In partnership with

Here is a summary of the advantages of the panel with paulownia blockboard core and e-wood outer faces proposed by Maller for use in the RV sector.

Lightweight

Paulownia wood is one of the lightest. Maller’s 12 mm paulownia panel weighs a mere 375 kg/mc, significantly less than a standard poplar plywood panel that weighs 460 kg/mc.

Resistant

Paulownia wood is extremely resistant in relation to its weight. It has a hardness of 1.4 KN and good torsion resistance. Flexibility is rated at 6.3 GPa, tensile strength is 42 MPa and compressive strength is 20 MPa.

Water repellent

Tests were carried out on a 12 mm thick paulownia board with e-wood outer surfaces: swelling and absorption after immersion in water (Catas procedure) were much lower than with MDF or other wood-based boards, the swelling in thickness was approximately 4-5%. MDF has a saturation absorption at 24 hours of 10%, the new panel, 4.2%.

Fireproof

Paulownia wood has a decidedly high flash point of 420° C, much higher than normal forest wood, and does not spread flame. This is why it is used in the manufacture of wooden houses and in all applications where fire retardancy is required.

The test carried out by Maller on the paulownia block board panel, carried out at the Istituto Giordano (determination of the combustion behaviour inside vehicles according to the UNI ISO 3795:1992 standard), revealed an average combustion speed of 0 mm/min.

Healthy Formaldehyde release is low. According to tests carried out by CATAS (gas analysis method, single test, EN ISO 12460-3:2020) the release is 1.1± 0.4 mgHCHO/m²h and indoor emissions show an average concentration after 28 days of 0.08 mg/m³ and 0.07 ppm (EN 16516:2017 + A1:2020 Annex B + BAnz AT 26.11.2018 B2).

Environmentally friendly

Paulownia wood is a material that meets the ever-increasing demands for environmental sustainability. There are several reasons for this.

First of all, the tree matures in 5 years instead of 10 years as with poplar.

Furthermore, the lightness has a beneficial influence on pollutant emissions from motorised transport. Last but not least, it has been established by Weel Forestry Worldwide Carbon Emission that paulownia trees are among the best in the world for absorbing CO2 and returning oxygen to the atmosphere.

The advantages of the new panel

Telair EcoEnergy Lithium: silent and ecofriendly

EcoEnergy is designed for all those camper owners who want greater energy independence when away from campsites. A user-friendly, yet low-maintenance accessory that offers outstanding performance

Words Giorgio Carpi

In recent years, Ecoenergy has proved to be a big hit as a result of its outstanding price/quality ratio, performance and reliability – all qualities highly appreciated by camper owners. The research and development department of the Teleco Group has continued to make a series of improvements in order to consolidate the quality of EcoEnergy in the European market.

“We continue to receive positive feedback from satisfied Ecoenergy customers as it’s a genuinely useful and reliable product for those who enjoy touring with the freedom to go anywhere, especially in winter when batteries have to cope with higher-than-normal loads” , says Vittorio Simioli, co-founder of Teleco/Telair.

The 2023 version of the Telair EcoEnergy battery charger has renewed mechanics, performance, and environmental protection. The EcoEnergy is able to charge any type of battery (lead-acid, lead-gel and AGM) and has now also been optimized for lithium batteries as well. Its new, low-emissions, gas-powered, 2-stroke engine is built with fewer components, making it more

compact, lighter (in weight) and more reliable. The engine’s design also has the considerable advantage of minimizing maintenance requirements and, consequently, costs for the user.

The capacity of the new EcoEnergy is more than double that of a Fuel Cell or a 100W solar panel. Moreover, highly

advanced electronic control ensures fully automatic energy delivery to the batteries.

When the control unit warns that battery voltage has dropped below 11.9 V it automatically starts the Ecoenergy’s engine, then once the maximum battery charge (14.5 V) is reached, the engine stops.

The design also focused on acoustic insulation, resulting in the application of special sound-absorbent materials that make noise levels almost imperceptible.

Power for the Ecoenergy is from LPG (butane, propane or a mix of the two), a fuel widely available throughout Europe in the service station network and camper accessory stores. There are three versions of the Eco -

energy: those that deliver a nominal current of 20 A/h (TG 480, TG 480 MEF) and consume 270 g/h, while the higher-performing 25 A/h model (TG 600 MEF) consumes 290 g/h. The MEF versions feature an optimized combustion system, allowing them to function perfectly even when the camper reaches altitudes as high as 2300 metres. Finally, the compact design (overall dimensions are just 56.5 x 38 x 25 cm) has the further advantage of making installation easier, as Ecoenergy can be installed in the lower part of the vehicle or even in a false floor cavity (if available).

Control panel

The control panel displays the main parameters that allow you to constantly monitor the correct functioning of the EcoEnergy.

The warning light on the left indicates the oil temperature and level, immediately below is the warning light which indicates the operating phases of the EcoEnergy. In the centre, there is a switch for enabling the automatic mode (and turning it off); on the right, the button for manual ignition.

Company profile

The TELECO GROUP is a group of leading companies in the recreational vehicle industry, based in Northern Italy.

Teleco SpA designs, manufactures and markets a complete range of devices and equipment for terrestrial and satellite TV signal reception, televisions, satellite navigation devices, cameras and monitors, multimedia systems and photovoltaic modules.

Telair srl is specialised in the development and manufacture of air conditioners, generators and inverters. The Group’s products are marketed throughout Europe where a widespread support network is available.

The TELECO GROUP has two subsidiaries in France and Germany: Teleco GmbH and Teleco sas.

Solar Panel 100 W/h

Fuel Cell 105 W/h EcoEnergy TG480 240 W/h

Automotive quality for the RV industry

Growth in the RV sector is one of the primary objectives of LAM, in Europe and worldwide. The largest investments are in the area of roof hatches, made by injection compression moulding, which complements the well-established production of roller blinds

LAM has used its vast experience in the automotive sector, where it has been operating since the late 1960s, to set up development plans for the RV sector to expand the products already supplied to European motorhome manufacturers. LAM makes roof hatches, roller blinds and components for cabins made by plastics. We spoke to Davide Malagoli, CEO of LAM, who has been in the business for twenty-six years and since 2017 has been heading the company founded by his grandfather and managed by his parents to find out more about how the company is operating and its plans for the future.

Aboutcamp BtoB: You are now the CEO at LAM. What were the milestones of your growth in the company?

Davide Malagoli: When I started work-

ing at LAM I was put in charge of the warehouse. I worked my way up through the ranks to become Purchasing Manager and then General Manager. It was an interesting experience also because I came from a completely different background because during my studies I had become a professional hockey player. Of course, I have been in contact with the dynamics of the family business, founded by my grandfather, since I was a child. My involvement in the local trade association was extremely useful for my professional growth. I was active for ten years in the young industrialists’ group of Confindustria in Modena, going from councillor to vice-chairman and finally chairman from 2008 to 2011. I learnt a lot through the exchange with entrepreneurs from different sectors. As far as LAM is concerned, I think the most im-

portant transition came in 2016 when together with the team I was able to move the company forward by starting plastic moulding production in-house. We started with a monolithic polycarbonate hatch for agricultural tractors. It was an

Words Giorgio Carpi, photo Enrico Bona

important investment that allowed us to acquire a technology that we are increasingly implementing today.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What is the size of LAM today?

Davide Malagoli: Today, LAM has a turnover of EUR 11.5 million and employs about sixty people. We operate in seven different sectors, the main ones still being buses, trucks and agricultural tractors. Working with major players in the automotive industry, we must respect important quality requirements and we are IATF-certified.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What products are your core business?

Davide Malagoli: Roof hatches and roller blinds for vehicles are our two main products. We are investing heavily in plastic injection moulding and this is why we have just purchased two presses in addition to the ones we already had. We started with the 1500-tonne injection-compression press, a machine capacity that is still rare in Italy, and then we added 650, 300 and 80-tonne.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How important is the recreational vehicle sector compared to others?

Davide Malagoli: The RV sector is not the main one, but it is strategically important and our goal is to expand in this area. For instance, we will be able to make a panoramic roof hatch, provided with a roller blind. Today, the majority of products we supply to the RV sector are roller blinds for motorhome windshields. Customers of our products include Rapido, Carthago, Dethleffs, Laika and Concorde.

Aboutcamp BtoB: In which markets are you present?

Davide Malagoli: For now, we are working in the European market, but we also want to expand outside Europe. We have some interesting ideas and patents in the pipeline that we can exploit to expand our horizons. In particular, we have set our eyes on the Australian market, with which we have already established contacts and that we believe is very promising.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Do you have products suitable for the Australian market?

Davide Malagoli: We have several products, such as catalogue roller blinds that can be adapted to various vehicles with just a few modifications. But we are also very experienced in plastic moulding and can make roof hatches. For instance, the Australian market is strongly oriented towards caravans, including off-road models designed for difficult terrain. We will be able to make remarkably rugged and tough roof hatches. We have fifty years of experience in making roof hatches for all types of buses, trains, trucks and agricultural tractors. We have made hatches for military vehicles and police riot control vehicles. In short, for all applications and all with remarkable strength.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What about other non-European markets?

Davide Malagoli: We have never tackled the US market, while in previous years we have probed China and Brazil. Japan is definitely a market we could look into. It is a small market but one that looks with great interest at European products.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What are the main factors that lead customers to choose LAM?

Davide Malagoli: Undoubtedly quality. There are several products on the market similar to ours, but not at the same quality level. And then production flexibility is one of our strengths. We can make deliveries of hundreds of parts, but we have no problem producing five parts at a time. In 2013 we turned to Porsche Consulting for advice on how to improve productivity and today we can manufacture low and high runs alike.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What are the distinguishing characteristics of your roof hatches?

Davide Malagoli: Safety is a key feature. The glazing production process is called injection compression and is equal to

glass in terms of transparency quality. And we can make integrated hinges with integrated movements because they are monolithic elements. We are ready to develop specific products in co-design with our customers.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Has the rise in raw material prices also affected your company?

Davide Malagoli: Unfortunately, it affected us a lot, like all companies in the world, and we had to stockpile because the material was hard to procure in addition to increasing in price. Our stocks allowed us to continue serving our customers uninterruptedly.

Aboutcamp BtoB: How do you intend to move into the RV sector? What are your future plans?

Davide Malagoli: We want to continue to offer high-quality products and excellent service. Our customers want well-made products and also expect to be followed and supported. LAM must also seek more and more partnerships with other complementary players in the market and I do not exclude collaborations with our competitors. We want to focus on products made by injection moulding, but we also want to bring thermoforming moulding, which we currently outsourced to our partners, under our direct control. In other words, there is all our experience in plastic moulding, design and production of roof hatches and roller blinds in the projects we are working on.

Whale releases its unique Heat Air products to the North American RV market

Every once in a while, a product comes along that offers something truly different from the competition, something unique that no one else has. So it was, when Whale launched its underfloor mounted space heaters back in 2012. Being underfloor mounted they free up valuable space with the RV, allowing designers new freedoms

Words Terry Owen

Since then, product development has continued apace, culminating in the release of a new range of devices, named Heat Air, to the European market in 2019. These innovative products have proved a great success whilst setting new performance standards for power, size and weight.

Whale is now building on that success by launching two new, propane fueled, models specifically aimed at the North American RV market, and available now. They come with a high tec combustion circuit design and fully electronic system control for maximum efficiency.

“We are thrilled to now offer Whale’s Heat Air in North America,” said Patrick Roberts, VP and General Manager, Performance Components at Navico Group. “Heat Air was designed with the OEM and end user in mind. A powerful

Company profile

Based in Bangor, Northern Ireland, Whale is a well-known brand with a long history of innovation and success in the EU & UK RV market. Since its acquisition in 2014 by the US Company, Brunswick Corporation, Whale has gone from strength to strength and is now part of its Navico Group.

heating solution in a compact size is a winning combination and we know it will transform the RV experience for users, enabling more adventures of any kind year-round.”

Suitable vehicle types

Whilst originally designed with towables, campervans, and smaller motorhomes in mind, there is no reason not to fit Heat Air to larger RV’s, even if two may be needed. Indeed, this could be the ideal solution for a simple zoned heating system with one area running at a different temperature or time to another.

Installation options

Heat Air can be installed underfloor to save space, or onboard for convenience. In this way layout designers can have a ‘blank canvas’ without the precondition of the heater and ducting having to occupy a given space. What’s more, LIN and CAN connectivity is available for those installers who wish to incorporate Heat Air into a central control system.

Key advantages

• Arguably the most space efficient heating system on the market

• Propane power means that the heater can be used independently of the vehicle’s engine

• Fast, fully controllable heat, anywhere at any time

• Highly customizable installation allows for even and well-distributed heat

• Easy to use control panel for 24/7 comfort

• Quiet night-time operation

• No unpleasant fumes

• Altitude compensation out of the box

Fully integrated offering

The heaters are offered with a full range of installation components such as mounting fixtures, flues, ducting and so on, and the whole package comes with Whale’s legendary technical support, which is available to both installers, dealers, service partners and to end users.

Standards compliance

These heaters are fully compliant with all relevant North American standards, including ANCI and CSA. They carry the Intertek accreditation mark as proof of this.

Typical Class B installation

Below: Navico, Bangor, Northern Ireland

Fast-tack, a revolutionary technology

In 2022, the leading British adhesive, sealant, coating and primer manufacturer Apollo Chemicals became part of the worldwide H.B. Fuller Group. The value-add of this merge comes from the combination of H.B. Fuller’s global presence and innovation with the specific technology competence and market expertise of Apollo. Together, the team enhanced a sensational processing technology - Apollo Fast-tack, as it is fully named - specifically for the manufacture of a wide range of panels, including doors, cold stores, caravans and motorhomes

Apollo Fast-tack is a two-component (2K) polyurethane adhesive, which securely bonds a wide range of materials and substrates. Fast-tack gives a 1:1 open to press time and extremely fast cure, allowing for a continuous production line. Aboutcamp had the chance to talk with Samuel Meredith, Strategic Account Manager in the UK, and David Sorlin, Business Manager RV EIMEA of H.B. Fuller, about this unique technology.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Samuel, please give us some details about Apollo?

Samuel Meredith: Apollo are pioneers of polyurethane (PU) technology. We have been developing and manufacturing high-performance adhesives for 50 years now. This includes creating bespoke solutions for many industries across construction, transportation, woodworking and lamination. We are recognised for our ability to offer industry-leading technical and compliance support to our customers, from product requirement identification to application. Since becoming part of H.B. Fuller, we can now offer the tai-

lored service of a smaller company, backed with the assurance of a multinational. This enables us to develop the right level relationship required to ensure correct product solution with the guarantee of continuity of supply.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What is the history of and behind Fast-tack?

Samuel Meredith: Fast-tack was originally developed over 25 years ago

Words Peter Hirtschulz

to provide a solvent-free/VOC-free solution to manufacturers, whilst retaining all the high-performance properties of a traditional polyurethane adhesive. This includes high-grab and strength, as well as resistance to extreme temperatures and chemicals. It is an extremely versatile adhesive, with bespoke grades to suit all sort of requirements, including spray (solvent free) and bead-applications. Products

David Sorlin

Samuel Meredith

have been developed for the manufacture of hard panels, including doors, caravans, cold stores and SIPs, as well as soft flexible substrates for the manufacture of sport matting, household furnishings and insulation.

Aboutcamp BtoB: What are the benefits of the Fast-tack technology?

David Sorlin: Production costs are a key concern for any manufacturer, especially given the current economic climate. Apollo’s range of Fast-tack lamination adhesives boast extremely economical usage rates via their one-way stick technology and low coat-weight. The adhesives give a 1:1 cycle of open-time to press time due to their unique characteristics, helping to minimise task-time. The fast-tack, quick-grab and fast-cure characteristics allow products to be pressed immediately after adhesive application, typically via belt/vacuum or platen press. Products will achieve handling and cutting strength at the end of the press-cycle, thus maximising work progress,

Samuel Meredith: We, at Apollo, understand that our customers need a high-performance adhesive that can withstand extreme environmental conditions. So, this range of adhesives form a high-strength durable weatherproof bond, resistant to water, extreme temperatures (-30 to 120°C) and even chemicals once fully cured. And another important philosophy is our credentials to bring more sustainable products to the market, including solvent free alternatives. Reducing the environmental footprint is becoming increasingly important across all industries, and this trend is set to continue in the future. Apollo’s range of fast-tack lamination technology

consists of solvent-free polyurethane adhesives, which helps our customers to meet a growing number of environmental issues. It also makes the product more pleasant for employees to use compared to solvent-based products (VOCs), creating a more comfortable working environment.

Aboutcamp BtoB: David, please summarise the Fast-tack revolution?

David Sorlin: Like said, a key benefit of Fast-tack is the proven solvent-free/ VOC-free technology developed as a high-performance PU lamination adhesive. Leading manufacturers trust

in the product due to the strong resistance to extreme temperatures, chemicals, and water. Moreover, it reduces production time and costs due to its 1:1 open to press time (long working/ short press time) and extremely fast cure, allowing for a continuous line. It also removes the requirement for heat, which further reduces cost.

Samuel Meredith: I also want to highlight the award-winning of our unique adhesive: Apollo was the winner of the Queen’s Award for Innovation due to the benefits it offers to the industry. And last but not least, is suitable for bonding a wide selection of substrates such as GRP, Primed Metals, Plywood, EPS and XPS.

Aboutcamp BtoB: Samuel, where in the world is this revolutionary product available?

Samuel Meredith: Developed in the UK by Apollo, Fast-tack is actually used by some well-known British manufacturers, but the product is available globally. For instance, we have sent a shipment from Germany to Australia, and we are working on strong business opportunities outside the UK. We believe the interest of caravanning manufacturers to reduce cost and time by using a product that is extremely efficient and has exemplary environmental values is of interest worldwide.

Fast-tack motorhome

Lamination static vans

Wallas has introduced a significant innovation in onboard water heating with revolutionary new diesel systems, Spartan Water and Viking Water

Words Enrico Bona

Wallas has been manufacturing heaters and cookers for boats, RV’s and cottages for over half a century. The core values for Wallas products are safety, high quality, long life, affordable spare parts, environmentally-friendly. Wallas has the most intelligent control technology for its diesel heaters.

Viking Water and Spartan Water

Once again, Wallas is breaking into the RV market with an innovative range of high performance products developed with high energy efficiency. Characterized by different powers (see table), Viking Water and Spartan Water are the brand new, revolutionary diesel-powered water heaters by Wallas, offering the most unprecedented technical performance on the market.

“Wallas water heater exhangers

Winter’s heroes

have been designed to achieve very high energy efficiency. The hot gases that come out of the burner enter the heat exchanger via pipes and the coolant is then circulated around the hot pipes. This prevents calcium deposits forming in the pipes,“ says Jussi Oksanen, CEO of Wallas. ”Furthermore, we have designed and manufactured our water heaters here in Finland in order to cope with cold temperatures both at sea and on land. The water heaters work perfectly thanks to the Wallas hot water accumulator tanks, as the coolant volume is many times bigger than that of competitors. The whole system works very smoothly and gently without making noise and consuming electricity. As the coolant volume is high, there are no short cycling, so the running periods are long,” Jussi explains.

Wallas hot water tanks

Wallas hot water accumulator tanks are designed to meet the high requirements from the campervan market.

“We decided to design our hot water tanks vice versa than any others in the market. This gave us the possibility to make it smaller, as there is no need for cylinder shapes to tolerate high pressure. The tank is actually full of coolant, and it works with an open header tank (no pressure). This let us use sharp angles in the corners so we could make the shape smaller. There is over 12m of corrugated stainless steel hose coiled inside the calorifier which tolerates the fresh water pump’s pressure. The cold water enters the 12m hose inside the hot coolant and gets heated in its travel. The Wallas water heater has a ‘cylinderstat’ feature which can sense the calorifier’s temperature, and can start the heater automatically when

someone goes in the shower,” Jussi Oksanen, the CEO explains.

Thanks to their compact shape, Wallas accumulator tanks can be installed underneath the vehicle. The accumulator tank comes in two sizes, 16 litres and 24 litres, compatible with both heaters. The choice will be up to the manufacturer, based on the type of vehicle and its intended use.

Remote assistance

Both water heating systems can heat fresh water or supply floor and radiator heating. In addition, by using the Wallas Remote App (free to download), both can be operated remotely. By a press of a button on a smartphone, the user can start the heater and enjoy a warm vehicle upon arrival, and

Company profile

monitor cabin temperature or battery voltage, keep the heater always updated with the latest features and, thank to a special function developed by Wallas, even receive assistance, in every part of the Globe, or get customized parameters according to the individual installation needs directly from technical service “live” from the company’s headquarters in Finland.

Greenboost

In addition, Spartan Water and Viking Water utilizes Greenboost burner technology, a newly developed and more powerful clean burner. Its latest generation software optimizes fuel and electricity consumption and is developed to burn renewable diesel without fossils. The start of the unit is longer than a regular diesel heater, as the environmental aspect has been taken into account.

In this new system, diesel combusts more slowly and, as a result, produces extremely very low CO2 and NOx emissions. The laminar burning process is also extremely quiet and the

Wallas-Marin Oy is a privately owned company, located in Kaarina, Finland and established in 1972. Wallas products, mostly cookers, heaters and ovens, are aimed to the Boat, Cottage and Camper industries. All systems of the Company use diesel or paraffin oil as fuel and, due to low power consumption, are ideal for 12 V off-grid applications. Wallas-Marin is committed to quality, sustainability, and responsible consumption making durable products with a long life cycle. Wallas applies, indeed, a corporate responsibility which includes Sustainable Development Goals as preserving the environment, assuring safety and health for workers and keeping high standards in enviromental design of products. Contact: sales@wallas.fi

burner is tested to exceed 15,00040,000 hours of use. This is a durability rating of 3-8 times higher than the average of other devices on the market. Furthermore, the coaxial exhaust pipe introduced on the Spartan Water and Viking Water reaches maximum operating temperatures of around 100°C, a reduction of over two thirds compared to the average of similar devices on the market. Both heaters have a 5W water pump with a brushless motor and can run the 15W water pump as well for the longer coolant runs. Also, both heaters save space and eliminate the need of a separate tank by drawing fuel directly from the main tank of the vehicle.

“We are greatly advantaged by the fact that our experience comes from the marine sector. Viking Water and Spartan Water, for example, use the technology that Wallas has developed over 50 years and it is awaiting certification by the automotive sector,” says Jussi Oksanen, ”Now our system has passed all the E-certification processes and we are ready to deliver these great products to the happy customers. All the products are IPR protected with the utility model”.

Jussi Oksanen

Playing with light

Bartolacci Design has been expanding its business for some years now, thanks to investments in machinery and human resources: from lighting systems to methacrylate furnishings, its range of action continues to grow

Words Renato Antonini

Aleader in automotive lighting, with a focus on RV components, Bartolacci Design has more recently been growing its product offering with a range of methacrylate furnishing accessories. But the company continues to developing its offering, not only by expanding its production capacity, but by including

new materials and ever more complex components. In recent years, it has demonstrated its know-how with the introduction of shelves and wall panels, integrating lighting elements not only for their functional value, but also for their highly appreciated scenographic effect. Today, Bartolacci Design is also a manufacturer of

functional walls for the kitchen and bathroom areas. A number of furnishing elements can be integrated, from decorative mirrors to shower columns. This has been made possible by the company’s technical know-how and the use of high performance equipment, in which it has made major investments starting in 2015. The Rignano sull’Arno factory, a few kilometres form Florence, has two laser cutting machines, the largest of which can handle pieces up to 200x150 cm, along with folding machines, thermoforming presses and UV dryers for its gluing processes. The latest investment was a CNC pantograph, which enables Bartolacci Design to machine a wide variety of materials including polycarbonates, DBond and other plastics, as well as wood and aluminium.

Bartolacci Design’s strategy for growth is not just a matter of acquiring the latest and most advanced machinery, but also investing in human

Thanks to Wingamm for the opening photo

resources, recruiting a range of professional figures to assure the best possible service for its clientèle. Not only machines, but also professional staff, with all their experience and diversified know-how. This is clear when we talk to the people most intimately involved in the company’s development process, starting with its owner, Andrea Bartolacci.

“I totally believe in this project,” says Andrea Bartolacci, owner of Bartolacci Design, “the main objective of which is to grow the quality of our service to our clients. Our production - completely Made in Italy - consists in a diversified range of lighting products. But manufacturing is only half the game: the other half is our wide range of services, like our product customisation services. We offer assistance in industrialising product concepts, starting with custom moulds and tooling, prototyping and finally series production. And al-

though it’s true that the core of our business is still our lighting solutions, it is equally true that we are a well-established vendor of design and fabrication services for complex RV interior components. For instance, we make entire functional walls, with fully integrated lighting and backlighting, along with custom screenprinting, painting and laser engraving for both decorative and functional purposes. Ever more clients are asking us to industrialise their product conceptsand of course we’re happy to employ our experience and know-how in their service. Our objective for the future is to increase the automation of our production processes, because that boosts efficiency and offers the client better value for money.”

“At the present time, we are able to interpret our clients’ design concepts,” says Lorenzo Maggini, Sales Director for Bartolacci Design, “and offer them our best package of products and ser-

vices. This applies both to our lighting solutions - where we offer a full range of options - and our methacrylate furnishings. We offer conventional solutions in both areas, but we are also able to offer product ranges featuring highly innovative design and technical solutions. We offer a full spectrum service: the design development process is supported by our ability to fabricate the moulds and tooling for a wide range of materials - always to the client’s specification. We are expanding our presence in all markets, both in Europe, with our new business in the UK, and beyond, in Japan and Australia.”

“I worked in the fashion industry for thirty years,” says Daniele Santoni, a technician specialised in methacrylates and other materials, “always with the greatest attention to the quality of the material and the type of processing, especially in gluing. I strongly believe in the importance of creative, non-conventional solutions, but I also believe that we have to offer the best value for money. The company makes my experience available to the client in finding the best technical solution to their requirements.”

“As a young designer, my work consists in interpreting the client’s requirements,” says Carolina Bogani, designer, ”and suggesting stylistic and design solutions which bring their needs and aspirations to life. I help the client to develop furnishing concepts which are not only striking and stylish, but which are also easy to install and apply, as well as keeping costs down.”

Company Profile

Bartolacci Design was founded in 2005 as a LED lighting specialist in the recreational vehicle sector. The company grew rapidly but progressively: Andrea Bartolacci, the owner, focuses greatly on product and service quality. The LEDs are supplied by leading international companies and the criteria for selection are extremely exacting. “We make the difference between LEDs and LEDs” is the company’s slogan, precisely because of the great attention that it dedicates to looking for ever more ad-

vanced technologies and quality control systems. Bartolacci Design lighting systems are fitted on vehicles from the most important recreational vehicle manufacturers in Europe today, including the Rapido, Trigano VDL, Pilote and Hymer groups. In 2016 the company added, to its range of spotlights, roof lights, outside lights and lighting integrated with aluminium, an additional line of plexiglass accessories which, in combination with the LED lighting, generate original plays of light. In 2019 the

Lorenzo Maggini - Andrea Bartolacci

transfer to the new headquarters took place. Today the company employs 15 people, plus some external collaborators, and is spread over a covered area of about 700 square meters to which are added large outdoor yards.

SHAPED CABINET NICHE

The secret recipe to performance enhancement

Rising energy costs have increased public awareness and interest in energy efficient solutions in all areas of life. When manufacturers of motorhomes and caravans build the walls, floors and ceilings of their vehicles, they need to choose a product that can withstand both a wide variety of loads and weathering conditions over several years vehicle’s lifetime and be sustainable and energy-efficient as well

Words Peter Hirtschulz

The selection and quality of the materials used are critical for the overall performance and longevity of the vehicle; as the core material within the composite panels plays an important role and has significant impact on:

• insulation performance

• damp and moisture resistance

• overall assembly strength

• cost/energy efficiency.

Opting for XPS as the core layer material for composite panels means opting for long-lasting effective thermal insulation, because it is impervious to moisture and has low thermal conductivity. But what many do not know is that even between XPS products there are performance differences. How is this possible? The answer is actually very easy: Imagine you’d like to repli-

cate a recipe of a yummy lemon cake you have eaten at your best friends’ house. You ask for the recipe, you get it, and after you have baked your cake following quantity and all steps, you think that somehow your cake does not have the same taste. Well, we are assuming that your cake will taste better… but nevertheless, it will not be the same. Sometimes, even small differences can have a big impact on the results. In our case, to produce XPS the main differences can be summarized as such:

1. Manufacturing technology: The process used to manufacture XPS foam can vary between different manufacturers, affecting the final properties of the foam. Factors such as extrusion equipment, tem-

perature, pressure, and processing time can all affect the properties of the final product. Same way as for a cake: The oven, the oven temperature & cooking mode, some technologies can allow more homogeneous foam structures.

2. Raw materials: The raw materials used to produce XPS foam can vary between different manufacturers as well. While the basic chemical composition of the foam is the same, differences in the quality, or composition of the raw materials, in particular when significant amount of recycled material is used, will definitely affect the final properties of the foam – such as long-term mechanical performances & moisture uptake, VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions.

3. Density & cells shapes: XPS foam can be produced in a wide range of densities and cells’ structures. Long terms fatigue resistance, in other words longevity of the vehicle’s body, is directly correlated to density. More mass = stronger – providing it is evenly distributed in the cells’ walls. Cells’ shape and dimensions are reflecting the distribution of the solid parts in the cells’ walls. While density is quite easy to keep under control by manufacturers; consistently run to run producing appropriate closed cell structures is a very difficult art to master requiring strong manufacturing experiences and appropriate equipment to produce and measure.

4. Additives: XPS foam can be modified with additives to improve performances such as reaction to fire or/and thermal performances (Infra-Red blockers). Different manufacturers may use different additives or different amounts of additives.

5. Porosity: We talk here about XPS foam’s cell walls porosity, EPS bead structures and voids between the beads. Indeed, even if measured as closed cells, due to too thin walls, some foams could show very significant permeability to some gas: in particular moisture / vapor.

Yes, the vapor diffusion resistance of XPS (extruded polystyrene) thermal insulation can vary between different

producers. Vapor diffusion is a measure of how easily moisture can pass through a material. The laws of physics is stating that as soon as we have a gradient of temperature between two sides of a panel, a vapor pressure difference is created inducing a vapor flow which will go from warm to cold side. In the case of XPS insulation, a high vapor diffusion resistance is desirable because it helps to significantly reduce moisture entering into the vehicle sandwich panel. Opening the door to moisture is a certitude to shorten lifetime and comfort of the vehicle’s body by altering irreversibly mechanical structure and thermal performances. The vapor diffusion resistance of XPS insulation is determined by several factors: the formulation itself but definitively also the expertise of the manufacturer to produce day in day out a state-of-the-art material. Different manufacturers may use different formulations or manufacturing technology and processes that can lead to variations in the vapor diffusion resistance of their products. Therefore, it’s important to consider a range of factors when selecting core materials to ensure that they will perform as expected in a given application during the lifetime of the vehicle.

Erik Severien – Head of Sales Industrial Application Ravago Building Solutions:

“With an experience of 70 years in producing XPS and further developing our own XPS technology, we deliver tailormade products for building and industrial markets. The technical requirements for both in-

Ravago Building Solutions

The Ravago group, a fast-growing multinational company with a culture based on family values. Founded in Belgium in 1961 the company is committed to ethical and sustainable business practices. As part of the Ravago Building Solutions business unit, Ravago Industry Solution manufactures and distribute specialized industrial products across Europe, Turkey, and CIS markets. Main application field of Ravago Industry solutions is the production of the XPS core material for Caravans, motorhomes, and refrigerated trucks. RAVATHERM™ XPS is the name for the blue and grey foam boards which have been used for many years in such industrial applications; RAVATHERM™ XPS foams offer engineers and technical designers the confidence and the assurance that the most demanding of design specifications can be met. For further info: www.ravagobuildingsolutions.com/ industry

dustries are different, that’s why we differentiate our offer between both markets. Looking at our customers who developed with our XPS, their products and selling these products for many decades, we see that we are on the right way and that we have a bright future ahead of us.”

Erik Severien

Production of RAVATHERM XPS in Rheinmünster (Germany)

The RV market in Europe shows signs of slowing down

The European RV market is currently witnessing a decline, with notable decreases being recorded in the motorhome sector. However, the caravan sector has managed to maintain a relatively stable performance

The data for new RV registrations in Europe in 2022 shows significant changes compared to 2021. After the important growth that took place in 2021, with truly impressive numbers that sometimes set new records, many expected a decrease, which is what has happened.

After all, 2022 was the most successful in the history of the European caravanning industry. The 218,390 new caravans and motorhomes sold in the European market represent a decrease of 16.1%. The motorhome market recorded the most significant decline, with -18.7%, settling at 147,498 units. The decline in caravans was less substantial, with a -10.1% decrease and 70,892 new registrations.

Line plots are based on numerical data published by ECF (European Caravan Federation)

Germany

Germany is the main market in Europe market, far outstripping the others: despite an overall decline of 14.3%, falling below 100,000, new RV registrations remain at very high levels: 90,985 vehicles. But it is in Germany that the greatest difference in sales between caravans and motorhomes can be seen. For caravans, 24,478 new registrations shows substantial stability compared to 2021 (-1.0%), while motorhomes dropped more significantly (-18.3%) to 66,507 vehicles.

France and UK

The situation is quite similar in France, although the numbers are decidedly lower: - 1.6% for caravans (7,330 new registrations) and - 20.2% for motor-

F ocus on EUROPEAN MARKET

homes (24,611 units). The UK market is different, as sales of caravans are always higher than those of motorhomes: the former registered a decline of -25.6% (13,884, provisional data), the latter a drop of -16.0% (11,823, provisional data), making a total of 25,707 new registrations (-21.5% compared to 2021).

Scandinavian countries

The most consistent decrease in sales was recorded by the Scandinavian countries, with total registrations in Sweden reducing by - 25.4% (of which - 18.2% caravans and - 31.0% motorhomes), in Norway by - 26.6%, in Denmark by – 23.3% and in Finland by – 39.0%.

Italy and Spain

The data for Italy and Spain are very similar to each other, even if in Italy motorhome sales are higher and the caravan market is very low. In more detail, Italy registrations

declined by -15.5% or 6,487 vehicles (of which 5,828 motorhomes, therefore -18.1%, while caravans grow, +16.0%, but there are only 659 units). In Spain, new registrations decreased by -14.8%, settling at 6,902 vehicles (of which 5,323 motor caravans, -13.8%, and 1,579 caravans, -18.0%).

Line plots based on numerical data published by ECF (European Caravan Federation)

Crisis and opportunities

The difficult situation caused by the pandemic in Europe, the supply chain crisis and the increase in costs have created many challenges: here are the experiences of some purchasing managers in the caravan industry

Words editorial team

The pandemic has been critical for European companies in the RV sector: many of them have suffered, and once the emergency passed, other problems took over. The positive boom in the RV market has been replaced by a deep crisis in the supply chain. So, many problems have emerged, but also many opportunities. Important players in this situation were the purchasing managers: we met some of them, gathered their experiences and heard their opinions on the past, present and future situation. We asked respondents what was the most difficult challenge they faced during the pandemic period and what has changed today. We have tried to understand how the increase in raw material costs has been managed, but also what will change once costs return to acceptable levels. Finally, we investigated which characteristics are most valued in suppliers.

Maller’s Manager Nicola Di Benedetto

With the lack of materials and components, but also rising prices: the sector has experienced a really difficult period. The situation, in some respects, is now stabilising, but there are still some uncertainties. As far as we are concerned, the lack of raw material has never involved us, because we have our own supply chains so have been able to manage supplies, always aware of what has been, and will still be, the production inconveniences of our customers for a few months. In order to offer a service to the customer we have accumulated raw materials, so we can be ready at the time of the request. Unfortunately, there are still situations of uncertainty about the rates.

There is a market contraction dictated by several factors; for example: having customers who do not have the possibility to produce. Demand is still a somewhat uncertain and this can lead, not as far as we are concerned but in the general context, to pro posing certain rates on which we need to reflect. We managed the important increases in raw material costs in a totally transparent manner, and never thought of leaving it to speculation. Unfortunately, we have been victims of speculation, but we have looked

ahead and made some important reflections. Ever since this situation arose, our goal has been to be present in times of need. We ask our suppliers to understand our customers’ issues and complications. And clearly our suppliers must work in a context of extreme clarity. Once we have clearly identified the origins, the technical characteristics and compliance with the regulations, what really matters is working with an enterprising spirit.

Dietmar Höglmeier

Global Key Account Manager RVs at Schattdecor

The most difficult challenge we have in our work is to have the right materials and enough raw materials for the production. The biggest challenge for me was to find a solution to bring the material to my customers at the right time so they have not had to stop their production. We invest a lot of money, and sometimes also buy raw materials in China that are put on a train or aeroplane to Russia, and they send it to Italy so we can produce our finished products. Now the situation is much better, but our clients have many problems with chassis supply.

We have to manage the rise in prices of the raw materials: sometimes we negotiate with our suppliers and we have a lot of discussions to put it down the price level. But often you have no choice, you have to accept the price and we also have to give it directly to our customers. And energy costs go up and the raw materials all go up now. But we promise to our clients when the prices fall down, then we will also go back to the roots. I make my designs by myself for the RV market.

With Schattdecor you find the full service: “One Source. Unlimited Solutions.” This is our claim and this is what we live by. We help and we provide real ly strong support.

The critical situation of material supplies is improving; however, the market is not yet fluid, so we suffer a bit from low production. Like everyone else, we had to deal with the significant increase in raw material costs. We are a com pany with sixty years of history with a consolidat ed production process, so we have tried to reduce costs as much as possible and spread the increases over the entire period of time, waiting for a stabilization of prices. We have tried to do this in the best possible way and I hope we have satisfied our customers too. Now we see a stabilization of prices, at least in the wood sector. In the metal sector, on the other hand, the market is still unstable.

We always try to provide a service to the customer, with the availability to produce, the availability of materials, and so on. For this we need suppliers who have availability and immediacy in organizing new products. Flexibility and seriousness are undoubtedly the main characteristics that we ask of our suppliers. The price certainly helps, but it is the combination of the three variables that allows you to be successful with customers.

Nicola Di Benedetto

Dietmar Höglmeier

General Manager of Fratelli Naldini

Saverio Naldini

Saverio Naldini

Renzo Kerkoc

CEO of Tecnoform

The biggest challenge faced during the pandemic was enduring the isolation. The constraints related to freedom have led to different habits. It wasn’t easy to work remotely, changing one’s habits. In Tecnoform, to overcome these difficulties we created the Digital Event, a remote, interactive event that allows everyone to live an experience together while remaining hundreds of kilometers away from each other.

As for the price increases, we have done everything possible not to pass on the cost of raw materials to customers. There was a mo ment when everything worked very well, then the costs increased a lot.

Marko Lekše

The biggest issue is having to suffer the increases and being forced to pass them on to the customer. For us, the increase in costs has had a devastating impact and it takes time to recover: our reaction to a reduction in costs will be a little slower than that of one of our customers towards the final buyer. Fortunately, the situation is normalizing, even if in many cases there has been a reduction in the quality of the materials supplied, so to have quality products it is necessary to bear higher costs. Today, for us, a supplier must be a partner, and we must have a common interest. It is clear that the supplier must have ideas, he must give us hints with

Executive Purchasing Director at Adria Mobil

The pandemic was the most challenging period and it has changed completely how we work in the supply chain, both for suppliers and us as OEMs. It was necessary to work very closely with suppliers to substantially increase the communications and exchange of information. If I am looking at today’s situation, on our side we have adapted with much more flexibility. The majority of our suppliers have successfully followed the transformation to a more agile, flexible world in the supply chain. Of course, we had to manage the rise of costs from our suppliers and from the raw materials. These situations rise again, and there are suppliers who are imposing their positions, trying to fight, but the easiest way is to have a transparent discussion with the suppliers, having

transparent cost breakdowns, understanding the issues on both sides and trying to agree on what are the right measures to be taken. The situation was extremely difficult in 2021 and at the begin ning of 2022, but since mid of 2022 this has completely changed from the raw material side. It’s now the time for suppliers to reduce their costs. What is still difficult are all the uncertainties around energy and there are components which are still difficult, like electronics. It’s hard to say if the final price of caravans and motorhomes will go down a little if the

which concrete changes can be made. And then there is the issue of sustainability, which I believe is fundamental. We are moving towards materials other than wood and therefore sustainability becomes something that is no longer “natural”, so it must be sought after. The theme of the company’s energy independence is fundamental, however, it is very complicated to convey the theme of sustainability to the customer in all its aspects. Clearly, certification is not the solution to everything. What really matters is studying sustainable solutions. The key element for working on sustainability is the Life Cycle Assessment, a concrete study of the environmental impact of the product before and after, and hence the search for solutions to reduce the environmental impact. We need a working group that deals with this issue and that is a job for young people.

suppliers lower costs. But if I look at the market at the moment, we have to decrease prices or we will suffer collectively. That’s a strong point. But then, it’s not one single component, it’s not one single supplier, it’s the system.

The OEMs who will be more successful in that, who will do better work, will be more successful in the market, for sure.

The main characteristics we are looking for in a supplier are good quality, good design engineering capabilities, reliability of service, reliable information exchange and competitive package product.

Renzo Kerkoc

Marko Lekše

Alessandro Grimaldi

Purchasing Manager at Giottiline

During the pandemic period, many companies were closed or worked with reduced staff and therefore there were problems with contacts, problems with communications, problems also with transport, in short, many critical issues that we all experienced in that period. Now, obviously, things have changed but we encountered difficulties restarting as there has been a certain inertia on the part of the companies, an inertia that we have had to deal with. But we can finally say that the pandemic is a problem we have overcome, at least from the point of view of the availability of materi als and relationships with companies.

Obviously the increase in the cost of raw materials has had a big impact. We had to face the problem of costs, but also that of the validity of the price lists, which were being rapidly mod ified and causing inconve nience. We tried to create partnerships with some strategic companies, consolidating the volume, and involving them more and more in new projects right from the start. This has made it possible to optimize resources and experiences, thus allowing companies to trust us

more and try to limit costs. As far as energy cost reductions are concerned, there has not yet been a stabilization. In general, we expect to see further cost reductions in the second half of 2023. However, we cannot know if the reduction in raw material costs will also be reflected in the retail list prices of the vehicles produced. When supplier costs increased, there never were increases in sales price lists. Indeed, there are additional costs. The cost of materials has a very high impact on turnover, but there are other costs to consider, so we cannot know what will happen. Surely the reduction of raw material costs could provide leverage to increase some commercial advantages.

In order to work profitably with us, in addition to advantageous costs, a supplier must guarantee flexibility, because with the problem of supplying chassis, inevitably we are sometimes forced to change production and therefore flexibility is fundamental. It is important to have materials available, try to establish with the supplier which products are most in demand and then keep them in stock.

Commercial Director of Borri

During the pandemic we had to face forced immobility, we had to keep the company alive without producing, with some costs that still remained high. Fortunately, ours is a solid and family-run business, so we managed to keep costs down as much as possible. Now things are almost back to normal, but the situation hasn’t completely stabilized, because the supply chain hasn’t returned to the levels it was before: there are still suppliers who don’t deliver correctly. But the worst is certainly over. As for the increase in raw material costs, we took charge of this in the first year, hoping that the increases would not continue for long. Then, when we saw that they did continue, we began to pass the increases on to the final product that we sold. We couldn’t do anything else, but we have always tried to limit the increases and not speculate as some might have done.

The main characteristics that our suppliers must have are seriousness and reliability. Reliability is the first requirement that I evaluate in a company. Having ascertained this, then quality and price follow. The market has certainly changed after the pandemic, I don’t know the reasons, but it has changed substantially. I see an explosion in the demand for higher-end luxury vehicles, and this pleases me because we have focused a lot on this.

Massimo Bartalini

Massimo Bartalini

Alessandro Grimaldi

T estimonials Insights from the industry

Francesco Veracini

Purchasing Manager at Luano Camp

The most difficult thing I had to face due to the pandemic was remodeling a work system that was mainly based on a direct relationship, a face-to-face collaboration. This direct relationship with people during the pandemic period failed, so it has been more complicated to organize new proj ects, or discuss new ideas. We didn’t know what the future would hold for us. During that period we feared that the production standstill would continue but, instead, we found ourselves in a situation of restarting with a market that was ex ploding: demand had risen a lot. So it was necessary to reorganize a whole series of productions, innovations and relationships that had not been foreseen until then: it was rather complicated. Today, we are more organized in dealing with certain types of situations and we know how to manage emergencies better. Fortunately, we are returning to direct meetings with people: from my point of view, the relationship with the supplier is important and

there must be a visual element, face to face. Remote conferences are great when you see slides or make negotiations, but in other cases the direct relationship is successful... We are returning to the previous situation, but some things have changed: there is the possibility of organizing things in a more pragmatic and more systematic way than in the past.

Managing the increase in raw material costs with suppliers was the most difficult thing. We are a company that produces RVs and we have absorbed many costs, only in part have they been passed on to the end customer. It is objective that if this situation were to continue, it would become complicated to produce a good product at a balanced price for the market. In suppliers, we look for the ability to offer the right value ratio between product and cost, but we also ask for a service: we want the supplier to give us indications and stimuli. The ability of a supplier to make new proposals is important.

Sales Manager of Palomar

The biggest challenge was managing a changing situation; at the beginning we had to face the stop of production, the uncertainty about the reopening, and nobody knew how to give answers. Then, after the Düssel dorf fair, there was a lot of interest in the RV sector: all manufacturers and all suppliers resumed activities and there was a significant increase in work. We were also a little shaken at the beginning, because the work had grown so much. Now the situation has stabilized. The volatility of raw material costs has caused many difficulties in managing the relationship with the customer: in fact we have tried to absorb

most of the increase in order to limit the negative effects of the situation on the end customer. We always try to meet our customers in the best possible way, respecting delivery times, finding the best materials, providing the best service.

To achieve these goals, we need constant support and collaboration from our suppliers, who are a fundamental resource in facing this historic moment. In fact, we ask them for a service that is up to the needs of the moment, a continuous search for innovative solutions and a constant review of the prices of the materials in order to bring the price lists ever closer to their initial value.

Roberto Bagni

Roberto Bagni

Francesco Veracini

WE DESIGN YOUR LIGHT

RVIA March 2023 survey shows decline in RV shipments compared to last year

The RV Industry Association’s March 2023 survey of manufacturers showed that total RV shipments ended the month at 31,869 units, a decrease of (-50.8%) compared to the 64,778 units shipped in March 2022. To date, RV shipments are down (-54.3%) with 78,600 units. “As the camping season approaches, the RV industry continues to produce innovative products that will open the door for great outdoor experiences,” said RV Industry Association President & CEO Craig Kirby. “As consumers head to RV dealerships across the country this spring and

summer, they will find many affordable options across all product types that will help them begin a journey towards a lifetime of memorable RV and camping experiences with friends and family.”

Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, ended the month down (-53.7%) against last March with 27,404 shipments. Motorhomes finished the month down (-20.2%) compared to the same month last year with 4,465 units. Park Model RVs finished February up 42.5% compared to the same month last year, with 540 wholesale shipments.

2023 North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report

The 2023 North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report, published by Kampgrounds of America (KOA), reveals steady camping and glamping growth amid economic uncertainty and provides an in-depth look at key trends shaping the outdoor hospitality industry. The report reveals how the camping and glamping market is evolving as travelers re-establish pre-pandemic travel habits, how travelers are adapting their upcoming plans amid economic uncertainty, and how specific demographic populations describe their relationship with outdoor-focused leisure travel as the 2023 peak camping season begins.

“As leisure travelers increasingly choose the outdoors over other alternatives, we need to look more granularly at camping,” said Toby O’Rourke, CEO and president of Kampgrounds of America, Inc. “A decade of independent research confirms that camping is a preferred way for many to travel, try new things, and connect with what they care about

most.”

KOA’s 2023 survey found that a hunger for new experiences, whether it’s a specific type of camping, or a camping trip that includes a new or unique experience, is driving camping participation in 2023. Year-to-year, about 80% of campers try a new form of camping

rience in 2023. Other types of trips that campers are interested in include food tourism (36%) and visits to small towns (31%). Though the COVID-19 pandemic generated record-breaking growth in outdoor travel, 2022 witnessed an increase of about 1.5 million additional camping households—a stabilization compared to the previous year.

Amid a reshuffling of behaviour, new audiences discovering a love for camping are younger, more diverse and more likely to reside in urban areas. Today, 92 million U.S. households identify as campers. Even amid economic headwinds, half of campers say that camping offers a more cost-friendly way to travel during a downturn.

they are unfamiliar with; in 2023, the average camper will seek out three new or unique camping experiences. Trips for natural events such as eclipses, meteor showers and animal migrations are the most common type of trips campers are looking for in 2023, with 40% of campers seeking out this type of expe-

“Camping continues to prove that it is resilient to economic headwinds,” O’Rourke said. “In fact, 38% of campers will continue to camp and take fewer trips of other types during times of economic uncertainty. Camping offers physical and emotional benefits that are important in a reliable, cost-effective way that outdoor travelers seek out.”

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USA RV industry celebrates reintroduction of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act in congress

The RVIA reports that major news outlets and industry publications are celebrating America’s Outdoor Recreation Act’s reintroduction in Congress. The first comprehensive outdoor recreation policy package since 1963, the Act prioritizes outdoor recreation on federal lands while balancing conservation needs. It will also grow rural jobs, increase access to public lands, and ensure all Americans can enjoy the many physical and mental health benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle.

News outlets to share the update on America’s Outdoor Recreation Act include Politico Pro, Wyoming Public Radio, SGB Media, and the Register-Herald. Recreation-specific publications are also posting articles celebrating its passage, including the American Sportfishing Association, FishingWire, GearJunkie, Outdoor Alliance, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and The Outdoor Wire. The Act’s reintroduction has also made a splash on social media. Posts about the legislation have been shared by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, the American Horse Council, the Outdoor Industry Associ-

ation, and America Outdoors, among many other organizations.

In addition, in a press release from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a number of industry leaders expressed their excitement about the legislation. “This is a commonsense, no-cost bill that will help equalize and expand access to green spaces and wild outdoor places in every state in the country,” says Chris Perkins, Senior Director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.

“We are seeing unprecedented interest in outdoor recreation, but much of the policies supporting outdoor recreation are outdated, making it difficult for more people to get out and have fun. We need modern solutions that improve infrastructure and access while protecting America’s public lands and waters, and America’s Outdoor Recreation Act is an historic step to update these policies.”

“America’s Outdoor Recreation Act is crucial to the RV industry and the wider outdoor recreation industry. It remains a significant factor in making sustainable improvements to our nation’s campgrounds and improving the experiences of current and future RVers,” adds Craig Kirby, President & CEO of the RV Industry Association.

“In addition, the Act provides greater access to the health benefits offered by the great outdoors and offers an economic boost to both the local and national economy. We would also like to thank Senators Manchin and Barrasso for their steadfast leadership. Our government affairs team will be continuing to advocate in support of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act, and we call on Congress for its swift passage.”

The most likely dates for the third annual Hall of Fame RV Supplier’s Show (awaiting confirmation when the Elkhart Dealer Open House dates are announced) are Monday September 25thWednesday September 27th 9 AM ET to 5:00 PM ET.

If you are a new or returning exhibitor and have not yet registered, contact Show Director and Hall of Fame President, Darryl Searer, as soon as possible at 574-903-3850

Truma North America achieved 42% overall growth for 2022. This result comes on the heels of 62% growth in 2021 and 64% growth in 2020.

A Note from President and CEO, Gerhard Hundsberger: “Team, 2022 has been a great success! Each of you have my heartfelt Thanks for your commitment to the Truma Team. I personally salute you for your hard work and dedication, and I look forward to everything that’s yet to come.”

Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) has created a new foundation on the tail of its 60th year in business: the Kampgrounds of America Foundation. It serves as the charitable embodiment of the brand’s mission of connecting people to the outdoors and each other.

Winnebago to acquire lithium-ion battery solutions provider

Winnebago Industries, Inc. is acquiring Lithionics Battery (“Lithionics”), a lithium-ion battery solutions provider to recreational equipment and specialty vehicle markets. The addition of Lithionics will provide Winnebago Industries with enhanced technological and engineering capabilities to offer consumers more differentiated products with innovative electrical solutions, as well as bring strategic sourcing benefits and secure a critical area of its supply chain. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Lithionics’ innovation in house power solutions will continue to advance important outdoor recreation product features for consum-

ers, including extending time off-the-grid, improving reliability, reducing noise and generating fewer emissions. The company’s best-in-class battery technology is differentiated by its proprietary management software and certifications from Underwriters Laboratories Solutions (“UL”), a leader in safety accreditation and testing. Lithionics currently serves a critical role in the supply chains of Winnebago Industries’ RV brands, providing trusted battery solutions to Winnebago and Newmar.

Lightship launches L1 travel trailer with electric self-propulsion system

Lightship has revealed an aerodynamic, battery-powered travel trailer, the Lightship L1, that it plans to have in production in late 2024. It is the first purpose-built travel trailer with a self-propulsion system and enables near zero range or mile-per-gallon efficiency loss for the vehicle towing it. Lightship took a ‘clean-sheet’ approach to building an all-electric RV, like the way Tesla disrupted the established automakers. The Lightship team, which includes alumni from Rivian, Proterra, Lucid and Zoox, in addition to Tesla, is leveraging its expertise in automotive EV development and design to deliver the following. An electric powertrain with up to 80 kWh of onboard

battery capacity allowing the trailer to propel itself. A no-compromise battery system that can provide a week of offgrid power without charging. Coupled with up to 3 kW of solar power, the RV can power the living needs of its occupants and eliminates the reliance on propane and other fossil fuels. An ecosystem of all-electric appliances, connected features, and modern amenities for a seamless camping experience. The Lightship L1 has a starting price of $125,000 or $118,400.

“With 90% of the market comprising of towable RVs, we began by creating an all-electric travel trailer that is unlike any RV available today and that is just the beginning,” said Lightship Co-Founder and President Toby Kraus.

“We are leveraging our expertise in automotive EV development and design to build a brand that creates delightful outdoor travel experiences for everyone and brings even more people into the pastime of RVing.”

The Lightship L1 is a finalist in the 2023 SXSW Innovation Awards design category. Founded in 2020, Lightship is America’s first all-electric RV compa-

ny on a mission to reimagine the recreational vehicle experience by designing and producing aerodynamic, battery-powered trailers for the electric age. As the macro transition to an all-electric transportation ecosystem accelerates, Lightship is building a critical element to enable the electrification of pickup trucks and SUVs, while bringing the increased convenience and superior performance that electrification offers to a pastime enjoyed by 1 in 10 American families. Based in San Francisco and Boulder, Colorado, Lightship sells its products direct to U.S. customers on the company’s website: https://www.lightshiprv.com/.

RV Industry Association creates a Sustainability Committee

The RV Industry Association Board of Directors has unanimously approved the creation of a Sustainability Committee. The newly created RV Sustainability Committee will be made up of people from RV Industry Association member companies who have an interest in the success of a sustainable future for the RV industry. The committee will serve as the convening body for sustainability experts in the RV industry to share ideas and best practices as well as an educational resource for companies looking to increase their sustainability prac-

tices.

The new committee was announced to attendees of the RV Leadership Conference during the “A Conversation About Sustainability” panel which featured Jil Littlejohn Bostick, Winnebago’s Vice President and Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Kartik Mekala, Lippert’s Director of Sustainability; and Sandy Rynalski, THOR Industries’ Vice President of ESG. The panelist discussed their own professional journeys that led them to head up sustainability at their companies and the sustainability efforts their RV companies are taking. The crowd also participated by discussing big and little ways they are implementing sustainable practices. This year, the Committee will be focused on the following activities:

• “Convening members for in-depth conversations and information sharing around ways to make our industry more environmentally friendly and achieve alignment around future impact on downstream members and suppliers.Best practices

on marketing the sustainability efforts of the industry. RV end consumers are asking for more sustainable products, and this expectation will continue to grow in the future.”

• “This committee will provide a forum to discuss how to market these efforts while avoiding a perception of “green-washing.” This committee will manage the development of a survey on sustainability and other corporate responsibility activities of association members.”

• “The survey results will be used as a baseline and information gathering tool to help inform further committee activities.”

The new Sustainability Committee will be holding a virtual meeting in the coming month and an in-person meeting during RVs Move America Week in DC on Tuesday, June 6. The group will be made up of sustainability subject matter experts from member companies as well as those looking to learn more about sustainability efforts.