Fleetwood's 'Driving Forward Together' National Dealer Meeting Provides Attendees With Positive Outlook for Future
September 12 2008 - 7:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
RIVERSIDE, Calif., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fleetwood
Enterprises' RV Group, a leading producer of recreational vehicles,
held its 2008 "Driving Forward Together" National Dealer Meeting at
the Paris Hotel and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., from
Tuesday, September 2 through Thursday, September 4, 2008. The event
was attended by over 600 Fleetwood RV dealers, suppliers and
associates. "This year, we had several key goals for our National
Dealer Meeting," said Paul Eskritt, President of Fleetwood's RV
Group. "We wanted to set the record straight on the Company's
financials, showcase the increasingly important relationship we
have with our dealer and supplier body, and highlight our new
brands and models. "In addition, we wanted to illustrate the
powerful impact each of us has on one another -- especially in this
competitive market -- and lay out Fleetwood's plan to ensure that
all of us have a profitable today, tomorrow and beyond," Eskritt
continued. "After speaking with many of our dealers during and
after the show, I believe we have improved our focus on listening
to our dealers' needs, which has resulted in better product value
in both our travel trailer and motor home businesses." "I am very
impressed by the overall positive attitude and team spirit
exhibited by everyone at Fleetwood," said Ernie Friesen, owner of
All Seasons RV and Redding RV in Northern California, and a
Fleetwood dealer for more than 20 years. "Throughout the meeting, I
heard a consistent and optimistic message about the future of
Fleetwood and the RV industry as a whole. Combined with the
great-looking products that were on display -- Fleetwood has, once
again, made me a believer." "This was the best dealer meeting I
have ever been to," said Paul Minton, owner of River City RV in
Arkansas, and a Fleetwood dealer for more than 10 years. "I believe
Fleetwood is on course to help us all be more successful as the
market improves." The National Dealer Meeting kicked off on Tuesday
evening with a poolside welcome reception. The core of the meeting
was delivered to attendees during Wednesday's general session where
Eskritt, Travel Trailer Regional General Managers Jim Croxton
(west) and Donald Cochran (east), Vice President of Motor Home
Operations Chuck Wilkinson and National Directors of Sales Dave
Cheney (motor homes) and Mark O'Connor (travel trailers) spoke
about Fleetwood's strategies, product plans, sales and marketing
support, and wholesale and retail financing provided through
Fleetwood Financial Services. Key highlights in the general session
included: -- Dramatic product reveals for the 2009 Terry LX (fifth
wheel), 2009 Southwind (Class A gas motor home) and the Power
Bridge Chassis(TM) (Class A diesel chassis), all of which were
driven through the conference room and showcased in front of the
audience. -- The debut of the brand-new 2009 Backpack(TM) &
Compass(TM) Ultralite travel trailer lines, featuring innovative
floor plan features including bunk beds, LCD TVs, and more. -- A
glimpse into the future of RVs where Eskritt visually revealed some
of Fleetwood's plans to introduce shorter, lighter, more
fuel-efficient motor home and travel trailer models. -- Dealer and
customer testimonials that underscored Fleetwood's improved focus
on listening. -- A comprehensive video review of Fleetwood's
marketing efforts over the last year. -- A candid portrayal of
Fleetwood's financial position given by Eskritt. Other event
highlights included the keynote address, given by NFL Hall of Famer
and television personality Terry Bradshaw; and an awards gala where
Top Dealer Awards and 17th Annual Circle of Excellence awards were
presented to members of the dealer body. Immediately after the
awards ceremony, Eskritt and Elden Smith, president and CEO of
Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., presented Boyd Plowman, retiring
executive vice president and CFO, with an honorary Circle of
Excellence award for his 30-plus years of dedication and service to
the Company. Later Smith addressed the audience recounting the
tough times that have challenged the RV market in the past,
recalling the perseverance that Fleetwood and the industry utilized
previously in order to come out of the down cycles stronger and
better, and relaying his belief that this current market climate
will once again result in the same steadfast response and positive
outcome. "[Fleetwood is] responding to the current situation, but,
more importantly, we are planning for the future," said Smith. "And
so are all of you. The strength of this dealer body is better than
it has ever been before. I am tremendously impressed by your
resilience and your professionalism -- and am supremely confident
in our mutual ability to weather the current market environment."
Over 40 suppliers participated with displays, while Power Gear and
Freightliner Custom Chassis sponsored the meal functions, Dave
Carter & Associates sponsored Tuesday's Welcome Reception and
Bank of America sponsored the awards dinner and gala. About
Fleetwood Enterprises Fleetwood RV is the recreational vehicle
operations group within Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:FLE), a
leading producer of recreational vehicles and manufactured housing
through its subsidiaries. Fleetwood's recreational vehicle line
includes motor homes, travel trailers, and fifth wheels. Fleetwood
RV products are distributed through a nationwide network of
approximately 750 dealers. For more information on Fleetwood
Enterprises, visit our website at http://www.fleetwood.com/. Media
Contacts: Heather Everett (951) 377-3852 DATASOURCE: Fleetwood
Enterprises CONTACT: Heather Everett of Fleetwood Enterprises,
+1-951-377-3852, Web site: http://www.fleetwood.com/
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