Thursday, June 14, 2007
IS THIS THE START OF A NEW MFG'ING TREND?
RIVERSIDE, Calif., June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fleetwood's RV Group, a leading producer of recreational vehicles, today held an inauguration ceremony for its newest travel trailer manufacturing facility in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Fleetwood Enterprises' (NYSE: FLE - News) President and CEO Elden Smith; Board Member Danny Villanueva; RV Group President Paul Eskritt; Travel Trailer Division Vice President Jim Croxton; and Mexicali Plant General Manager Jim Kindleberger. Also in attendance were Mexicali government officials Governor Eugenio Elorduy Walther, Mayor Samuel Ramos Flores, and State Secretary of the Economy Sergio Tagliapietra.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Fleetwood and Mexicali officials spoke about the tremendous opportunities that the new facility and its high-quality staff bring to the Mexicali and U.S. communities.
"It has taken over two years for our plans to open a travel trailer manufacturing facility in Mexicali to come to fruition," said Smith. "The goodwill of the Mexicali government and the integrity of the maquiladora structure continue to reinforce our decision to expand operations into the area. We are excited about the possibilities this new facility and our staff bring to the Fleetwood organization."
Prior to the public ceremony, Smith, Eskritt and Kindleberger planted a Mesquite Paloverde tree in front of the facility, and Fleetwood's first Mexicali employee, Ramon Hernandez, presented Smith with a symbolic gift from Mexicali.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees were taken on a tour of the 84,000 square-foot facility where 110 Fleetwood de Mexico associates have produced the value-priced Pioneer and Mallard travel trailers since April 2007.
After the plant tour, Villanueva presented the first unit to come offline, a 2008 Pioneer 18CK, to Calexico High School Booster Club. Villanueva purchased the travel trailer from Mike Green, owner of RV World, a member of Fleetwood's dealer body, for the booster club to use as a raffle prize to help raise money to benefit the athletic department.
Following the official inauguration, an open house for all associates and their families will be held on Saturday, June 9, including a carne asada (Mexican BBQ) and the church blessing of the facilities by a local priest.
Frank DeGelas of Mike Thompson's RV was presented Fleetwood's second Mexicali travel trailer unit, a 2008 Pioneer 18CK.
"We are very impressed with the quality of the product from Fleetwood's facility in Mexicali. The trailer looks great. The fit and finish is excellent," said DeGelas. "I definitely understand why Fleetwood wanted to join the growing group of world-class companies like Sony® and Black and Decker® who have opened operations in Mexicali."
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Fleetwood Enterprises' (NYSE: FLE - News) President and CEO Elden Smith; Board Member Danny Villanueva; RV Group President Paul Eskritt; Travel Trailer Division Vice President Jim Croxton; and Mexicali Plant General Manager Jim Kindleberger. Also in attendance were Mexicali government officials Governor Eugenio Elorduy Walther, Mayor Samuel Ramos Flores, and State Secretary of the Economy Sergio Tagliapietra.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Fleetwood and Mexicali officials spoke about the tremendous opportunities that the new facility and its high-quality staff bring to the Mexicali and U.S. communities.
"It has taken over two years for our plans to open a travel trailer manufacturing facility in Mexicali to come to fruition," said Smith. "The goodwill of the Mexicali government and the integrity of the maquiladora structure continue to reinforce our decision to expand operations into the area. We are excited about the possibilities this new facility and our staff bring to the Fleetwood organization."
Prior to the public ceremony, Smith, Eskritt and Kindleberger planted a Mesquite Paloverde tree in front of the facility, and Fleetwood's first Mexicali employee, Ramon Hernandez, presented Smith with a symbolic gift from Mexicali.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees were taken on a tour of the 84,000 square-foot facility where 110 Fleetwood de Mexico associates have produced the value-priced Pioneer and Mallard travel trailers since April 2007.
After the plant tour, Villanueva presented the first unit to come offline, a 2008 Pioneer 18CK, to Calexico High School Booster Club. Villanueva purchased the travel trailer from Mike Green, owner of RV World, a member of Fleetwood's dealer body, for the booster club to use as a raffle prize to help raise money to benefit the athletic department.
Following the official inauguration, an open house for all associates and their families will be held on Saturday, June 9, including a carne asada (Mexican BBQ) and the church blessing of the facilities by a local priest.
Frank DeGelas of Mike Thompson's RV was presented Fleetwood's second Mexicali travel trailer unit, a 2008 Pioneer 18CK.
"We are very impressed with the quality of the product from Fleetwood's facility in Mexicali. The trailer looks great. The fit and finish is excellent," said DeGelas. "I definitely understand why Fleetwood wanted to join the growing group of world-class companies like Sony® and Black and Decker® who have opened operations in Mexicali."
