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Thetford Continues to Invest in Down Market
February 27, 2008
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Thetford Corporation continues to invest in its recreational-vehicle and marine product lines despite growing inflationary pressures and an industry-wide slowdown in demand.
The company introduced a variety of major new products at the recent Recreational Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) trade show in Louisville, including a newly acquired RV Sani-Con holding-tank evacuation system; Spinflo cooking appliances developed in England; additions to its industry-leading line-up of RV care products, and an improved line of SmartTote portable waste-water holding tanks.
At the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) last October, Thetford launched three new Norcold refrigerator lines, a “revolutionary” new manual-pumping toilet and an all-new “green” line-up of marine-care products under a new Thetford Marine brand name as part of an extensive two-million-dollar marine-product introduction program.
“Strong suppliers will continue to invest in new product development despite periodic market fluctuations,” said Kevin Phillips, Thetford’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We are facing the same material, transportation and employment-related cost pressures as our customers and other marine and RV suppliers but know that our customers continue to value innovative new products.
“Industry-leading suppliers work hard to maintain profit levels that enable them to invest in new products on a consistent, year-in year-out basis.”
Phillips noted that Thetford over the past decade has successfully offset significant inflationary pressures through aggressive internal cost-reduction programs and by working with its own suppliers to further reduce costs wherever possible.
“Although we have been forced to pass along some price increases to our customers, we’ve only done so after reducing our own costs to the lowest levels possible,” he said. “Growing price pressure continues to be a major concern and we will respond as necessary, but we remain focused on continuing to develop and launch innovative new products.”
He pointed out that the marine and RV businesses are global industries in which upswings in one region often offset downturns in another.
“European markets currently are not experiencing the same weakness that we are seeing in North America,” Phillips said. “We view the RV and Marine markets as global markets and believe it’s important for suppliers to continue to invest in new products in all regions in order to keep the RV and boating experience fresh and to give our OEM customers and consumers valuable options in products and product features.”
Thetford Meets with Legislators to Discuss Future of RV Industry
November 27, 2007
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Executives from Thetford Corporation, a leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products to the worldwide recreational vehicle (RV), marine and heavy-duty truck industries, recently met with federal legislators to discuss key issues facing the RV industry.
Jack Tierney, Thetford president and CEO, and Kevin Phillips, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, met with Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), and the offices of Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). Discussion topics included rising fuel costs and potential increases in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.
Despite higher fuel costs, 2007 is expected to be the industry’s fourth best year in the last 30 years. Tierney noted that RV factory shipments in 2006 set an industry record with over 390,500 new units shipped to dealers. RV consumers now have a variety of product choices to maximize fuel efficiency, including light-weight designs and small motor home models.
“RV owners today typically spend more time enjoying the campground experience and less time on the road,” Tierney said. “Many RV owners will take additional measures to reduce fuel consumption through simple steps like packing lighter, turning off home utilities when traveling, traveling at slower speeds, staying longer in one place or traveling to destinations closer to home.”
Thetford has taken additional measures to help reduce fuel consumption through its own product specifications. The company makes a full range of portable plastic and china toilets that are low in weight and water usage. The company’s refrigerators also weigh from three percent up to 24 percent less than competitive models.
RV travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers combine transportation and temporary living quarters for travel, recreation and camping. Approximately 80 percent of RVs are towed behind a family vehicle. Thetford executives noted that the towing capability for this class of vehicle should be a factor in the development of the new CAFE fuel economy targets.
“In order to tow an RV safely, the tires, brakes, axles and frames must all be heavier and more complex which in turn negatively effect vehicle fuel economy,” Tierney said. “If CAFE forces vehicle manufacturers to shift to light-weight, under-powered tow vehicles, that shift would have adverse safety consequences such as inadequate braking power, excessive engine wear, insufficient engine power and reduced stability and maneuverability on the highway.”
Thetford believes that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) should explicitly factor in towing capability when establishing fuel economy targets for light-weight trucks.
Thetford Introduces Next Generation Products at RV Show
November 27, 2007
ANN ARBOR, Mich. –
Thetford Corporation, a leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the recreational vehicle (RV), marine and heavy-duty truck industries, is introducing a variety of next-generation products for the RV market.
Shown for the first time at the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) annual trade show in Louisville (Nov. 27-29), the new Thetford products include:
- An improved line of portable waste-water holding tanks
- A unique waste-water holding-tank evacuation system
- A new non-formaldehyde Storage Tank Deodorant for RV holding tanks
- Additions to Thetford’s Premium RV Care product line
The company also featured at RVIA its Norcold 2117 PolarMax™ RF refrigerator, which was first introduced in 2006. The Norcold 2117 delivers 17-cubic-feet of storage space—the largest made-for-RV refrigerator available—and many residential features. Norcold, a Thetford subsidiary, is America’s leading manufacturer of gas-absorption refrigerators and freezers for the RV markets.
“At Thetford, we’re continually updating and improving our product lines to provide our customers with the most innovative products and technology available,” said Jack Tierney, the company’s president and CEO. “We expect 2007 to be one of the industry’s best years in recent history and are looking forward to another strong sales year in 2008.”
SmartTotes—Thetford’s line of portable waste-water holding tanks—are now easier to empty and include the company’s PermaStore™ Hose Handling & Stowage System for clean and easy hose handling and stowing. Ranging from 12 up to 35 gallons in capacity, SmartTotes are available in seven sizes and are up to 20 percent larger than competitive models.
In addition, Thetford showcased its recently acquired line of RV Sani-Con products at the RVIA trade show, the largest recreational vehicle trade event in North America.
RV Sani-Con systems quickly empty waste-water holding tanks without the need for plumbing modifications. Once installed, the unique “macerating” system can pump waste 20 feet uphill through a one-inch discharge hose. The heavy-duty hose stretches up to 21 feet and retracts to seven feet to minimize storage requirements. An adaptable nozzle fits snugly into a variety of dump stations and is equipped with a special cap to eliminate dripping.
In addition, Thetford presented Aqua-Kem’s Storage Tank Deodorant for portable waste tanks and RV holding tanks. The first product of its kind, Storage Tank Deodorant uses a formaldehyde-free formula to control odors for up to six months, as well as lubricate seals and clean tank residue. Its formula is compatible with antifreeze and 100% biodegradable. Storage Tank Deodorant is available in a 24-oz. bottle and a convenient three-pack of 8-oz. bottles.
A new product in Thetford’s Premium RV Care line, Mildew Stain Remover, was also shown. Mildew Stain Remover removes tough mildew and mold stains from all RV and marine surfaces, including awnings, canvas, carpet, rubber moldings and vinyl. The chlorine-free stain remover will be available in a 32-oz. spray bottle, and has been tested to be color-safe on all fabrics and materials.
Earlier this year, Thetford introduced an environmentally-friendly line of premium boat-care products under a new Thetford Marine brand name. Thetford is offering 12 products under its Marine Care banner, including UltraFoam™ Canvas Cleaner, UltraFoam Mildew Stain Remover and UltraFoam Non-Skid Deck Cleaner. Thetford Marine Care products will be available at retail outlets during the first quarter of 2008.
“New and improved products are the key to success in our highly competitive business,” Tierney said. “We also continue to invest in lean manufacturing processes to improve quality and partially offset price increases due to material inflation and other significantly rising costs that our company and the RV industry have faced over the past several years.”
Thetford’s Phillips Appointed to RVAA Board of Directors
November 6, 2007
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Kevin Phillips, vice president of sales and marketing for Thetford Corporation, a leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products to the worldwide marine, recreational vehicle (RV) and heavy-duty truck industries, has been appointed to the Recreational Vehicle Aftermarket Association’s board of directors and appointed co-chairman of the organization’s education committee.
Formed in 1971, the Recreational Vehicle Aftermarket Association (RVAA) is a national trade association comprised of RV suppliers, distributors and manufacturers. The group seeks to promote the RV industry’s products and aftermarket businesses and works directly with industry leaders to address issues related to aftermarket distribution channels.
“It’s an honor serve in an organization that works to bring increased value to those who are part of the RV aftermarket industry,” Phillips said. “I look forward to working with other members of the RVAA board, as well as the education committee, on the important challenges that lie ahead.”
The education committee’s responsibilities include: educating potential members on RVAA membership; training dealers on supplier responsibilities; encouraging participation in dealer training programs and writing an aftermarket section in Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association’s monthly magazine, RV Executive Today.
“We have an exceptional board,” said Mike McKay, president of RVAA. “We have some of the strongest leaders in the industry serving as board members. They are backed by a growing number of aftermarket people determined to make a difference in the next two years.”
“Serving on the education committee is a natural fit,” Phillips noted. “The committee is charged with providing educational content for RVAA members and to act as an advocate to educate dealers on the value of the aftermarket. Thetford has long supported dealers in developing their aftermarket sales and profitability.”