Forest River Will Acuire Coachmen

[HBarlow]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Posted in the RV Business News Blog

"BREAKING NEWS
Forest River to Acquire Coachmen's RV Group
RV Business
Friday, November 21, 2008

Elkhart, Ind. -based Forest River Inc. is acquiring most of the assets of Coachmen Industries Inc. 's RV Group, including brands, product lines and central manufacturing operations in Middlebury, Ind. , along with a dealership in Elkhart.

In a statement, publicly-traded Coachmen said Forest River, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. , will retain the majority of the builder's work force. Coachmen's modular housing and specialty vehicle operations will not be part of the transaction.

“Forest River has agreed to offer continued employment to almost 85% of our RV Group employees in Indiana,” said CEO Rick Lavers. “Some will be able to interview with Forest River to explore career opportunities. Others will be transferred to the continuing operations of Coachmen Industries Inc. ”

Lavers added, "For 44 years, Coachmen has been a leading and respected RV brand, employing thousands of dedicated and talented people in the communities where we have operated. With this transaction, we secure the future for this proud brand, and the employees of our RV Group. This announcement will also end the speculation over whether Coachmen itself will survive these extraordinarily difficult times, and preserve the jobs of our employee base, in both our RV and housing segments. ”

Lavers said that the ARBOC mobility bus, introduced this year, will remain with Coachmen Industries and that the company’s headquarters will stay in the Middlebury/Elkhart area.

“We will be financially sound with sufficient cash liquidity to not just survive, but to build our profitable housing businesses and continue our diversification into the bus and specialty vehicle transportation industries,” Lavers said.

The transaction is subject to approval by Coachmen shareholders. A special shareholders meeting has been set for Nov. 25.

"There is still much to be done, but we look forward to a long and bright future for both these fine companies," concluded Lavers. "</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HBarlow]

Fleetwood Will Close Indiana Plant

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Posted in the RV Business News Blog

"BREAKING NEWS
Fleetwood to Close Crawfordsville Trailer Plant
RV Business
Friday, November 21, 2008

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. has closed its travel trailer plant in Crawfordsville, Ind. , impacting 109 workers.

The Journal and Courier, Lafayette, reported that employees were informed today (Nov. 21) that the facility will be closing Jan. 19.

Riverside, Calif. -based Fleetwood said in a release that the production of travel trailer and fifth-wheel models currently built in Crawfordsville will be relocated to plants in Edgerton, Ohio, and Pendleton, Ore.

The company's move is part of an overall restructuring plan to "adjust production to current market demands in all of its businesses," said Paul Eskritt, president of Fleetwood's RV Group in the release. "These are difficult but necessary organizational changes.

“The recreational vehicle industry has been hit hard by fuel price volatility, low consumer confidence and a nationwide credit crunch. ... This decision is purely economic, and does not reflect on our valued associates at the Crawfordsville plant. "

Eskritt said the transition is expected to take about 60 days, and a limited number of associates will be placed elsewhere within the organization. "

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