Tuesday, November 18, 2008
JAYCO MOVING STARCRAFT DIVISION TO INDIANA
RV Business
Monday, November 17, 2008
Jayco Corp. today (Nov. 17) announced the closing of its Starcraft RV Inc. subsidiary in Topeka, Ind., and will relocate all production to the company’s Middlebury, Ind., facilities.
The closure will take place beginning in January and affect 244 employees.
Don Walter, president of Starcraft for the past 17 years, will continue to serve on the Jayco board. He is also on the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) board while serving as a co-chair on the Go RVing Coalition.
“This decision has been taken with deep regret because we know that it will place hardship on many of our employees and their families,” said Derald Bontrager, Jayco president and COO. “But, the RV industry has been hit hard, first by run-away fuel prices and, more recently, by severely diminished consumer confidence and a significant decline in the supply of credit at both retail and wholesale levels.
“Business conditions dictate that we take steps to reduce operating costs and maintain production capacity that reflects marketplace realities.”
Bontrager stressed that Starcraft will continue to operate as a separate brand with its own dealer body, sales and product development staff. All other aspects of the Starcraft ongoing operations will be integrated into Jayco’s existing departments in Middlebury.
Currently, Starcraft RV builds folding camping trailers, truck campers, travel trailers and fifth-wheels.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Jayco Corp. today (Nov. 17) announced the closing of its Starcraft RV Inc. subsidiary in Topeka, Ind., and will relocate all production to the company’s Middlebury, Ind., facilities.
The closure will take place beginning in January and affect 244 employees.
Don Walter, president of Starcraft for the past 17 years, will continue to serve on the Jayco board. He is also on the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) board while serving as a co-chair on the Go RVing Coalition.
“This decision has been taken with deep regret because we know that it will place hardship on many of our employees and their families,” said Derald Bontrager, Jayco president and COO. “But, the RV industry has been hit hard, first by run-away fuel prices and, more recently, by severely diminished consumer confidence and a significant decline in the supply of credit at both retail and wholesale levels.
“Business conditions dictate that we take steps to reduce operating costs and maintain production capacity that reflects marketplace realities.”
Bontrager stressed that Starcraft will continue to operate as a separate brand with its own dealer body, sales and product development staff. All other aspects of the Starcraft ongoing operations will be integrated into Jayco’s existing departments in Middlebury.
Currently, Starcraft RV builds folding camping trailers, truck campers, travel trailers and fifth-wheels.
