Fleetwood Enterprises’ RV Group recently held its 2008 “Driving Forward
Together” National Dealer Meeting at the Paris Hotel and Convention
Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was attended by over 600
Fleetwood RV dealers, suppliers and associates.
Paul Eskritt, President of Fleetwood’s RV Group said “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
motorhome 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.”
Key highlights in the
general session included:
- Southwind (Class A gas motorhome) and the Power Bridge Chassis (Class A diesel
chassis). - A glimpse into the future of RVs where Eskritt visually revealed some of
Fleetwood’s plans to introduce shorter, lighter, more fuel-efficient motorhomes and
travel-trailer models.
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.
