By Jamie Barrie G reat news for Jackson Center, Ohio as Airstream, which is owned by Thor Industries, plans to invest $40 million and hire 300 more employees adding to the 900 current employees as they expand their pro- duction capabilities with a new production facility to meet growing demand which hit record levels in 2017 for its iconic silver travel trailers. According to the Recreation Vehicles Industry Association, sales of all RVs jumped 9.6 percent to 472,200, an all-time high in 2017 According to the Recreation Vehicles Industry Association, sales of all RVs jumped 9.6 percent to 472,200, an all-time high in 2017 and this year it is expected to be a ninth-straight year of higher RV sales, which is great news to an industry
that is recovering from record low sales in 2009 when the economy was in a recession.
“We need this. Demand is strong and growing,” CEO and President Bob Wheeler told CNBC. “All arrows are pointing in the right direction.” Wheeler goes on to say, “Fuel prices are relatively low, there’s strong credit avail- ability, and consumer debt is manageable right now.” Stating that, “This expansion will allow us to increase our capacity by 50 percent.” Airstream currently delivers 95 travel trailers each week, so with plans to break ground on its new facility in May, with completion and manufacturing starting in May of 2019. This will see Airstream increase production to over 140 units per week, which would have a significant impact on sales allowing Airstream to get more product to the customer and on the roads enjoying the great outdoors.
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MARCH 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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