ANN ARBOR, Mich. Ð Thetford Corporation, a leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products to the recreational vehicle (RV), marine and heavy-duty truck industries, has formed an RV Dealer Council to provide counsel and advice on dealer issues related to the RV industry.
The councilÕs first meeting took place recently at the companyÕs Norcold plant in Sidney, Ohio. Norcold is a subsidiary of Thetford and is AmericaÕs leading manufacturer of gas-absorption refrigerators and freezers for the RV, marine and truck markets.
ÒOur company prides itself on listening to our customers,Ó said Kevin Phillips, vice president of sales and marketing. ÒBy working with a cross section of dealers, we will tailor our merchandising and sales tools, product introductions and promotions so that they offer more value to our dealers and their customers.Ó
ThetfordÕs dealer council will meet at least twice a year, according to Phillips. David Majors of Majors RV in Bourne, Mass., was selected as council chairman.
In addition to Majors, other council members include: Russ Trovato of Tom Johnson Camping Center, Concord, N.C.; Bill White of United RV, Fort Worth, Texas; Darell Fenn of Four Seasons RV Acres, Abilene, Kan.; Randy Bice of Pikes Peak Traveland, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Brad Outcalt of Orangewood RV, Surpise, Arizona.
Also serving on the council are: Tom Zeilstra of Pierce RV, Billings, Mont.; Scott Vande Kieft of Wholesale Travel Sales, Lyden, Wash.; Jeff Schleuter of Thompson & Sons RV, Davenport, Iowa; Gary Roskopf of RoskopfÕs RV, Menomonee, Wis., and Julie Pensinger-Hurkmans of Pensinger Motorhomes, Bakersfield, California.
Council members from Thetford include: Phillips; Armin Luzi, marketing manager; Mike Mesharer, RV aftermarket manager; Mary Pouliott, director of customer service, and Ran Chamberlain, manager of distribution sales.
Phillips noted that ThetfordÕs dealer council will explore potential new product offerings, study ways to build closer relationships within the network and develop better communication techniques for product introductions and promotions.
ÒJust this month, the dealer council provided Thetford with invaluable advice on the structure of a dealer program to support and reward dealers who specify the Norcold 2117 PolarMax RFTM, the largest RV refrigerator available,Ó Phillips added.
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