Chesaco RV Family of Dealerships

Host Industries Finds International Niche

Anthony Bowe — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:45:19 +0000

In 2011, Bent, Ore.-based Host Industries turned to a new market for its custom-built truck campers: Overseas.

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Thor Industry’s 2Q and Year-to-Date Sales Grow in Lockstep

RV PRO Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:13:21 +0000

Thor Industries Inc. experienced substantial sales growth in the second fiscal quarter of 2012, matching the company’s year-to-date success.

Preliminary consolidated sales in the second quarter were $596.4 million, up 13 percent from $526.2 in the same quarter last year, according to Thor. Quarterly RV sales reached $500.7 million, up 15 percent from $437.1 in unit sales in the quarter last year.

In the first six months of fiscal 2012, which ended Jan. 31, Thor’s consolidated sales were $1.27 billion, a 12 percent compared to the $1.13 billion in sales during the same six-month period last year. RV sales during the six months were $1.06 billion, up 13 percent from $943.7 million last year.

Dutchmen’s Voltage Featured on FOX & Friends

RV PRO Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:12:24 +0000

Cable TV cooking personalities Jon Mayer and Jim Stump, also known as “The Feasty Boys,” touted the advantages of RV tailgating in a live “FOX & Friends” report on Friday (Feb. 3) to kick off Super Bowl XLVI weekend. The RV Industry Association (RVIA) arranged the segment, which featured a Voltage fifth wheel provided by Dutchmen RV, according to the Association.

The Voltage was described during the segment as “the ultimate tailgating RV,” according to RVIA. The fifth wheel was showcased in a series of short teasers and a two-minute tailgate cooking demonstration by the Feasty Boys.

“If you want to tailgate, this is the way to go,” the Feasty Boys said. “You got your food, your beer, your bathroom – you don’t even need to go in the stadium.”

Flexsteel Outperforms Year-to-Date Trends in 2Q

RV PRO Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:11:38 +0000

Flexsteel Industries Inc. reports decreases in sales and income in the first six months of fiscal 2012 despite making gains during its second quarter.

Flexsteel’s net sales in the second quarter, which ended Dec. 31, reached $85 million, a 2.6 percent increase compared to $82.8 million in sales the company made in the same quarter last year. The company’s net income in the second quarter was $2.9 million, or $0.42 per share, compared to a net income of $2.1 million and $0.31 per share in in the quarter last year, according to the company.

U.S. Unemployment Rate Falls, Manufacturing Adds Jobs

RV PRO Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:10:51 +0000

The United States unemployment rate declined by 0.2 percent to 8.3 percent in January, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job growth was widespread in the private sector, with large employment gains in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. Government employment changed little over the month.

Private-sector employment grew by 257,000 in January. Manufacturing added 50,000 jobs, mostly in durable goods manufacturing, according to the Bureau. Fabricated metal products added more than 11,000 jobs, machinery added more than 11,000 jobs, and motor vehicles and parts added more than 8,000 jobs. Durable goods manufacturing has added 418,000 jobs over the past two years.

The U.S. reports about 12.8 million people were unemployed in January.

Pleasanton, Calif. RV Show Attracts Record Crowds

RV PRO Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:10:03 +0000

Crowds poured into Pleasanton, Calif., Jan. 6-16 to attend the 24th Manufacturer’s RV and Sports Show at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, according to organizers.

Total attendance at the show was 24,769, a 10 percent increase compared to last year’s show. A single-day attendance record was set during the show’s first weekend, with 5,600 people showing up on Saturday, Jan. 7.

“That’s the most people we’ve seen on a Saturday in the 24-year history of the show,” said Shawn Nohr, the show manager for GoodTimes Promotions, which has always produced the indoor RV show. “The economy has definitely turned a corner.”

The healthy turnout at the show is a major positive for RV dealers in Northern California, Nohr said.

Edmonton RV Sale to Stir “Competitive Mood” Among Dealers

RV PRO Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:10:02 +0000

There will be plenty of lightweight travel trailers at the Feb. 9-12 Edmonton RV Expo and Sale, according to the Edmonton Journal. Lightweight RVs are trending among consumers in Canada, much like in the U.S.

The 32nd Edmonton RV Expo and Sale will have more than 400 RVs on display in every class at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

Bill Burnett, president of the RV Dealers Association of Alberta, expects dealers to be in a competitive mood at the show, according to the newspaper. Edmonton is a market with a full slate of RV dealers.

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FMCA Launches Mascot Search

RV PRO Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:08:53 +0000

The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) has launched a quest to find its new official mascot and is asking its members for input. FMCA hopes to have a mascot that personifies the Association’s values and one that will “stand out from the crowd.”

FMCA is accepting submissions from members for mascot ideas until March 30. The concepts will be reviewed by FMCA and its graphic artists will produce designs of the best ideas. The designs will be displayed on FMCA.com starting June 1, and will also appear in the June issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine. FMCA members can vote online for their favorite mascot through June 30.

The winning mascot will be revealed Aug. 27-30 during FMCA’s 87th International Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, in Indianapolis, Ind.

Luxury RV Park Planned for Martin County, Fla.

RV PRO Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:08:00 +0000

When next year's wave of seasonal visitors arrives in Martin County, Fla., especially those driving high-end, luxury motorhomes, Jupiter Pointe Club and Marina owner Rob Miller hopes to have a new place for them to stay, according to the TCPalm, a newspaper based in Stuart, Fla.

Miller met with county planners Thursday to work out the details of a 27-lot RV park he plans to construct on a 2.7-acre parcel immediately north of the marina between U.S. 1 and the Intracoastal Waterway in south Martin County, according to the newspaper.

The property is approximately three quarters of a mile north of the county line, according to TCPalm.

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RV PRO February Digital Issue Now Online

RV PRO Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:03:48 +0000

The digital edition of RV PRO magazine's February issue has arrived. Click the front cover to view the issue for free.

Some articles in this month's edition include: