LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — 07/02/08 — Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report related to the Cars industry is available in its catalogue. World Recreational Vehicles Market

http://www.reportlinker.com/p090560/World-Recreational-Vehicles-Market.html

This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Recreational Vehicles in Thousands of Units. As classification of Recreational Vehicles differ across major geographical markets (in accordance with consumers’ lifestyles and requirements), the product segmentation and the markets analyzed differ in the report. The major product segments analyzed for the North American Market are Motor Homes (Class A, Class B, and Class C), Travel Trailers (Conventional Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheel Travel Trailers), and Campers & Camping Trailers (Folding Camping Trailers, Truck Campers). For Japan, the market is analyzed for Trailers and Others. The European market for Recreational Vehicles in this report is analyzed for Motor Caravans, and Touring Caravans. The Asia-Pacific market is analyzed for Caravans and Campervans. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. Annual forecasts are provided for each region and product segment for the period of 2001 through 2015. A ten-year historic analysis is also provided for these markets with annual market analytics. The report profiles 141 companies including many key and niche players worldwide such as ADRIA MOBIL, d.o.o, Coachmen Industries, Inc., Canterbury Recreational Park Homes, Eclipse Recreational Vehicles Inc., Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., Forest River Inc., Gulf Stream Coach Inc., Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC, Jayco Inc., K-Z Inc., Lunar, Monaco Coach Corporation, National R.V. Holdings, Inc., Northwood Manufacturing, Palomino RV, Skyline Corporation, Starcraft RV, Inc., Thor Industries Inc., Trigano, Winnebago Industries, Inc., and Woodland Park, Inc. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources. Read More>>

For the increasing number of holidaymakers who chose to travel and stay in an RV (Recreational Vehicle), life on the open road offers an unrivalled sense of freedom.

You can explore the length and breadth of the country at your own pace in total comfort, without having to worry about train delays, flight cancellations, heavy suitcases and the usual annoyances that come with traveling for leisure.

Financial savings on extras like accommodation and taxi fares are also a huge bonus, and with thousands of year-round holiday parks across the British Isles, Europe and America, there really has never been a better time to own an RV.

But there’s a lot to consider if you’re buying one for the first time. Many would-be RV owners find themselves torn between purchasing a caravan and a motor home.

Although it comes down to personal choice, there are advantages and disadvantages to both vehicles. Read More>>

COBURG, Ore. - With gas at more than $4 a gallon, will anybody show up at a new multimillion-dollar RV resort?

a top manufacturer of motor homes, is banking on it.

Monaco recently announced it is forming Signature Resorts to manage and develop the Oregon company’s RV resorts.

Signature Resorts will act as an offshoot of the RV company.
Monaco’s next two developments, in Bay Harbor, Mich., and Naples, Fla., will open under Signature Resorts’ branding.

With a tennis court and an outdoor pool, Bay Harbor will open this summer, followed by the one in Naples.

Monaco hopes the resorts will help improve what has been a tarnished year so far. First-quarter figures show a company hit hard by high gas prices and weakened consumer confidence. Read More>>

RV camping is an interesting thing to look for if you are planning to spend some memorable moments with your loved ones. There are sites that provide complete information on types of RVs available, RV camping tips, experiences of RV campers and helping the people in choosing whether to opt for renting RVs or to buy the RVs. 

With the change in scenario and people becoming busy in their hectic life schedules, there is no time left to enjoy one’s life with family and friends. But there are times when you eagerly want to have a break from your life’s schedule and go on a vacation. One of the best options that can provide you with 100 percent satisfaction and a refreshing vacation will be to go on RV camping.

You will not only be surprised with the natural and fresh surroundings, but you will also have a great time by indulging in adventure sports and other exciting activities. There are sites that provide complete information about the best RV camping places, the types of RVs available and the best RV as per your needs so that the campers can have a mesmerizing time. Read More>>

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc., parent company of one of Greater Sacramento’s largest manufacturing employers, has priced its offering of 12 million shares at $3.40 a share, the company said Friday.

The offering is expected to close on or about June 25, according to a release. The proceeds will be used to repay a portion of the company’s outstanding 5 percent senior secured convertible debt and for general corporate purposes.

The company also granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.8 million shares to cover any possible over-allotments. Read More>>

FOREST CITY — Winnebago Industries will offer free tours of its main manufacturing facility in Forest City from Tuesday, April 1 through Nov. 30, excluding holidays.

Tours start at the Winnebago Industries’ Visitors Center with a 20-minute video that gives visitors a preview of the manufacturing process they’re about to tour.

The tour bus (built on a Winnebago Industries commercial vehicle shell) then departs for a drive-through tour of the grounds and a walk-in tour of the main production area.

From a mezzanine overlooking the production lines, visitors can get a bird’s eye view of the magnitude of the motor home manufacturing process.

Each tour lasts about 90 minutes.

The Visitors Center also houses the Winnebago Industries Museum, which details the company’s 50-year history, and the design and construction of its motor homes.

In spring and summer, the Visitors Center features some of the latest models of the company’s Winnebago and Itasca motor homes, right off the assembly lines. Read more>>

Spartan Chassis, Inc., a Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of custom chassis and vehicles for the national emergency-rescue, recreational and specialty vehicle markets, recently honored PPG Industries’ automotive refinish business with its 2008 SPARC Award for outstanding supplier performance. The announcement was made at Spartan’s Sixth Annual Supplier Conference at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing, Mich.
Spartan Chassis determines SPARC (Supplier Performance Action Review Committee) Award winners based on suppliers’ engineering and manufacturing support, product quality and price, innovation and responsiveness. PPG was heavily involved in the construction of a new paint facility in Charlotte for Spartan Chassis’ growing fire truck business. PPG provided technical support along with product and equipment recommendations.

“I can’t say enough about the support we received from PPG,” said Dennis Beard, Spartan Chassis purchasing supervisor. “They rose to every occasion. Their responsiveness was phenomenal in allaying any concerns we had. So when it came time to nominate contenders for the SPARC Award, PPG was first to come to mind.”

PPG has had a long-term relationship with Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc., serving as the company’s primary paint supplier and providing them with Delfleet finishes. “We offer many custom colors for fire trucks around the country,” Beard said. “They’re not all red. We’ve had orders for fluorescent yellowish green and even light blue for Hawaii. PPG supplies it all.”

Greg Sarnacki, PPG commercial zone manager, accepted the award along with PPG Account Executive Jim Cole. Sarnacki said, “Spartan Motors is a key player in the fire and emergency segment. We work very hard to try and understand their business and their service needs, and we’re happy to help them in every way we can. Receiving the SPARC Award is quite an honor.”

Cole added, “Paint is often considered a commodity. It’s a nice surprise to see our efforts are recognized. We want to be of service to Spartan and to all our customers – not just sell them a can of paint.”

Spartan Chassis has three divisions: fire truck, motor homes and defense products. Suppliers serving any of the three were considered for the award. Read More>>

Camping has always been there but too often it’s been over looked. Ready made vacations to Florida, Hawaii or other tropical destinations often trump camping in Michigan. On the surface, it’s understandable. Michigan can’t offer a crazy 9-foot mouse. But in the end, what do you want out of a vacation?

Camping in Michigan means less travel stress. Fort Custer, for instance, is located just a short distance away and offers three lakes, a river, more than 200 campsites and a vast array of trails. In the seven counties surrounding Calhoun County, there are eight state parks.

Camping can also be easier on the wallet. Taking the tribe across country to Wally World these days may require a small loan just for the gas. Plenty of premium state parks throughout Michigan offer sites for as little as $12 per night and many are located just a couple hours from Battle Creek. Full hook-up RV campsites cost at the most $33 per night, significantly cheaper than rates at any hotel.

Camping means family time. For some protagonist of this adventure, this is where we lose you. “Let the 9-foot mouse deal with my kids.” But for the most part, camping is a family bonding opportunity. It’s a chance to pass on your love of fishing, birding, hiking, biking or canoeing. Rarely does a family spend a night while camping absorbed by the television. Instead, families gather around a picnic table or campfire.

Camping means relaxation. When it’s all said and done, isn’t that what a vacation is all about? Imagine waking up early in the morning as the sun begins to rise. You stoke the campfire, brew a cup of coffee and sit back in your comfortable chair. Third sounds fill your world: the crackle of the campfire, the sound of the flowing river and the morning songs of an array of birds. That’s a vacation. Read More>>

 RED LODGE, Mont., March 24 /PRNewswire/ — Real estate entrepreneur
Jeanne Rizzotto has a penchant for unusual projects, and creating the Of
Course RV Resort LLC the first of many
motor coach resorts in the nation to include a designer golf course, is her
most unusual endeavor to date. Located just north of the historic mountain
town of Red Lodge and an hour away from Billings, Montana’s largest city,
the first in a series of resorts is scheduled to open in fall 2008.

    The 190-acre resort will feature a private nine-hole golf course with
many lakes designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the world-renowned golf
design firm. “I begged,” Rizzotto laughed. “And when the firm’s CEO, John
Strawn, visited and saw the vision in full, the firm was in.”

    Other unique aspects of the resort include proposed locations on Navajo
land. This opportunity was made possible through a resolution passed by the
Navajo government. “I’m the first person ever in Navajo history to obtain
this kind of resolution,” said Rizzotto. On completion of Rizzotto’s
proposal through the proper government levels, one of several generous
offerings Rizzotto plans to extend to several individual chapter
communities will include a percentage of the net profits from that
particular resort. Furthermore, since Robert Trent Jones II has experience
designing a golf course on a reservation, the course will be
environmentally friendly, disturbing or altering the land as little as
possible.

    Of Course is designed for high-end motor coaches and will offer an
array of lots that can accommodate park models, a recreational vehicle, or
both the park model and the recreational vehicle. The resort will have more
than 500 lots that will line the private golf course or offer scenic views
of the area’s mountains. Rizzotto offers 99-year leases so that guests will
never have to worry about utility bills, property taxes or other ownership
hassles.

    Rizzotto examined other high-end motor coach resorts to ensure that Of
Course’s amenities were their equal or superior. The resort will feature a
clubhouse with shops, a market, a fitness center and a practice area.
Rizzotto also plans for a valet service for golf carts and a beverage cart
that will make its way around each guest’s lot. In addition, guests will
have access to all the amenities of the surrounding area, such as skiing,
horseback riding, hiking and more. Read More>>

FOREST CITY - Bruce Hertzke knows the numbers will be portrayed, as, at the very least, troubling, but the Winnebago Industries CEO was adamant last week that his company is quite nicely surviving a storm of what he calls “extremely difficult market conditions.”

The Forest City-based motor home manufacturer reported Thursday that it made $2.5 million in profits during the financial quarter that ended on March 1. That’s a drop of 67 percent from the $7.5 million the company made during the second quarter of fiscal 2007.
“The market conditions are quite honestly very, very tough right now for Winnebago and the RV industry,” Hertzke said, “but we’re still very pleased with where we’re at. When you consider the number of companies that are reporting negative numbers, we’re still very strong financially.”

During the past quarter, Winnebago reduced its workforce by about 9 percent to 3,000 at its plants in Forest City, Charles City and Hampton. The company reported that it spent about $500,000 on severance-related costs, and Hertzke, who will retire in May, said he couldn’t make any promises when it came to possible future reductions.

“We’ve made the adjustments we’ve needed to make for now,” Hertzke said. “That’s really all I can say unless you can tell me for sure what the next 90 days of market conditions are going to be like. … Our hope is that we’ll start seeing some turnaround, but really the best I can say is that we will continue to study the market and make staffing decisions that are good for the company.”

Winnebago and the RV industry have been hit hard by declining consumer confidence and high fuel prices that have put the purchase of big-ticket items like motor homes on hold. A shaky housing market has also contributed to a decline in sales.

“The bottom line is that so many things affect consumer confidence,” Hertzke said. “The important thing to remember is that in our history, we’ve had quarters, we’ve had entire years, where we lost money, and yet, we remain profitable today. We often say that good companies, even in tough times, find a way to make money, and we did that.” Read More>>