Elkhart Fiver Maker Heartland Heats Up With Growth, New Lines

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!For a startup company that introduced itself – without product – at the 2003 Louisville Show, fifth-wheel manufacturer Heartland Recreational Vehicle LLC, Elkhart, Ind., has come a long way in a short period of time. With two fifth-wheel brands in production – the high-end Landmark and mid-priced Bighorn – Heartland intends to flesh out its lineup for the 2006 model year with the entry-level Sundance fiver and... Read more

Three Employees Buy Awning Maker Zip Dee

High-end awning manufacturer Zip Dee Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., has been sold to a trio of long-time employees. “It was not an ESOP, but a straight buyout by a group of employees,” said former Zip Dee President Bob Miller, son-in-law of Zip Dee’s late owner, Henry Duda, who founded the company in 1965. Miller became Zip Dee president upon Duda’s death in 1985. New Zip Dee owners are President Jim Webb and vice presidents Ron Mullins and Ursula Kaceynski – all of whom... Read more

Featherlite Enters the RV Mainstream With SURVs

Aluminum cargo trailer and luxury coach manufacturer Featherlite Inc. moved into the more traditional recreational vehicle segment in April with the debut of the Featherlite SURV, a line of travel trailers and fifth-wheels featuring popular “garages” to haul outdoor equipment. Featherlite, headquartered in Cresco, Iowa, has equipped its specialty aluminum trailers, used by race-car teams, serious hobbyists and horse owners, with customized living features for 15 years. But the new Featherlite... Read more