Coachmen(R) Celebrates Grand Opening of New Motorhome Plant
November 06 2003 - 3:37PM
PR Newswire (US)
Coachmen(R) Celebrates Grand Opening of New Motorhome Plant
Facility to Add 175 Jobs, Build New Concord(TM) and Other Class C
Models MIDDLEBURY, Ind., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Coachmen
Recreational Vehicle Company employees and executives were joined
today by Indiana Lt. Governor Kathy Davis and other state and local
dignitaries to celebrate the grand opening of the Company's newest
production facility. "This new motorhome plant is symbolic of the
achievements of our past as well as our promising future. Coachmen
RV Company has a proud 40-year history made possible by the hard
work of our many valued Team Members. Dedicated Coachmen employees
continue to build on our successes as we carry our Company's legacy
into the future," said Michael R. Terlep, President of Coachmen
Recreational Vehicle Company. Because of strong demand for its
Class C motorhomes, Coachmen designed this 127,000 square-foot
plant specifically for Class C production. The plant is Coachmen's
largest and is expected to create up to 175 new jobs when it
reaches full production capacity. "The investment in this new plant
demonstrates Coachmen's commitment to the long- term growth of our
Company, our community and our industry," said Claire C. Skinner,
Chairman, CEO and President of Coachmen Industries, Inc., the
parent Company of Coachmen RV Company. "In terms of retail market
share, Coachmen is the number two name in Class C's. The additional
manufacturing capacity and increased production rates afforded us
by this new plant should help drive market share gains for Coachmen
at both the retail and wholesale levels." "Today's announcement
reflects Coachmen's commitment to producing innovative, quality
products right here in Indiana," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis. "This
new Middlebury plant creates a win-win situation for the company
and residents as we look towards increased production and up to 175
employment opportunities." One of the models currently being
produced in the new plant is the just- introduced Concord(TM), a
downsized Class C motorhome without the normal front overhead bunk
area and with a curved, eye-catching design. The Concord has been
enjoying rave reviews from dealers and consumers. Coachmen's
popular Freedom(TM), Freelander(TM), Leprechaun(R), Santara(R), and
Shasta(R) Cheyenne(TM) Class C models will also be built in the new
plant. The plant, which began producing the Concord in August and
Coachmen's conventional Class C's in October, features two assembly
lines that allow for increased production efficiency by segregating
production based on the complexity of models. It also includes over
24,000 sq. ft. of mezzanines for offline manufacturing processes,
such as assembling cabinets and other modules, providing improved
material flow and manufacturing processes. Cranes will lower
finished sections for installation in the motorhomes. The new plant
provides Coachmen RV Company with much-needed additional production
capacity to meet growing demand for its overall lineup of Class A
and Class C motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth wheels. Last
July, when Coachmen introduced its 2004 models to its dealer body,
the Company received $100 million in orders for its products,
leading to an RV order backlog that was 78 percent larger on Sept.
30 than it was on June 30. "Our products are capturing the
attention of the market at both wholesale and retail levels. The
result is increased demand for our RVs and we are now fully
prepared to meet that demand," noted Terlep. In addition, the third
quarter of 2003 was the best in four years for Coachmen Industries,
Inc. Its earnings were up 25 percent compared to the third quarter
of 2002, and 89 percent higher than the second quarter of this
year. Sales for Coachmen Industries' RV segment rose 20 percent
from its third quarter 2002 figures. "Thanks to the talented
employees at Coachmen, we have tremendous momentum in the market
place, which makes the timing perfect for launching our newest
state-of-the-art production facility. This plant, as well as the
investments we've made in several other manufacturing facilities
throughout our Company, will provide continued growth for Coachmen
as we build upon our momentum," added Terlep. "We're delighted
Coachmen chose to expand their operations here," said Phil Penn,
President of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce. "They're a
leader in Elkhart County's leading industry, and we're pleased with
their continuing strength and growth. They're a homegrown company
that we know will be here for a long time. We're very proud of
Coachmen RV Company and what it means to this area." Gary O'Dell,
President of the Middlebury Town Council, is also pleased with
Coachmen's expansion. "This is good for our community and good for
Coachmen, and we should all reap the benefits of new jobs coming
here. We're very happy that Coachmen wants to stay here in
Middlebury." Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company, LLC markets
travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, class A and class C
motorhomes. A subsidiary of Elkhart, Indiana-based Coachmen
Industries, Inc., Coachmen RV Company was founded in 1964 in
Middlebury, Ind., where its headquarters and largest manufacturing
facility are located. Manufacturing sites are also located in
Goshen, Ind., and Fitzgerald, Ga. WALT DISNEY WORLD(R) Resort has
designated Coachmen as the official recreational vehicle of
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and Disney's Wide
World of Sports(TM) complex in Florida. Coachmen can be seen on the
Discovery Channel's hit television series, Monster House. Coachmen
Industries, Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of
recreational vehicles with well-known brand names including
COACHMEN(R), GEORGIE BOY(R), SHASTA(R), SPORTSCOACH(R) and
VIKING(R). Coachmen Industries is also one of the largest
systems-built home producers in the nation with its ALL AMERICAN
HOMES(R) subsidiary. Modular commercial structures are manufactured
by the Company's Miller Building Systems subsidiary. Prodesign, LLC
is a subsidiary that custom thermoforms composite and plastic parts
for numerous industries under the PRODESIGN(R) brand. Coachmen
Industries, Inc. is a publicly held company with stock listed on
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the COA ticker symbol.
DATASOURCE: Coachmen Industries, Inc. CONTACT: Rich Allen,
Corporate Communications of Coachmen Industries, Inc.,
+1-574-262-0123, or Web site: http://www.coachmen.com/
Copyright