Rear View Safety will attend the 2018 NTEA Work Truck show March 7-9 in Indianapolis.

The Brooklyn-based company will showcase a variety of safety products, including the RVS-77550 360+ Bird’s Eye View Camera System, which is equipped with two side cameras to help with lane changes and highway driving.

The omni-directional perspective from the 360-degree cameras create a bird’s eye view of the vehicle, while ultra-wide-angle side cameras are activated with vehicle’s turn signals.  

The company will also feature its SimpleSight Wireless Series. These innovative systems feature a 100-foot digital wireless range.

The RVS-155W SimpleSight Wireless Backup Camera System with a 5-inch single screen monitor includes instant pair and a waterproof backup camera. The SimpleSight series also includes the dual channel RVS-255W, the 7-inch RVS-355W, and the 5-inch RVS-PK1.

A variety of MobileMule Mobile DVR’s also will be on display at NTEA this year.

Known for its GPS tracking and fleet management, the MobileMule DVR series is a mobile video recording option with storage capabilities, GPS tracking and live video remote viewing (desktop/mobile).

Rear View Safety will display at booth #324 from March 7-9. The company also will have a display in Safe Fleet’s exhibit, located in booth #921.

ASA Electronics is proud to announce we have received an ISO 9001:2015 Management System certification from SRI Quality System Registrar.

“Many of the principles of the new ISO 9001:2015 standard is engrained within our company,” said Dan Stoltzfus, ASA VP of operations. “We are committed to continually improving our processes to provide quality products and services to our customers. These have been priorities throughout our history and I am very proud of our employees, who embrace change every day in pursuit of higher standards.”

The ISO 9001:2015 certification is awarded to companies who show effective documentation and records-keeping in addition to establishing and implementing policies designed to make the organization run smoothly.

“We are pleased to acknowledge that ASA Electronics has demonstrated effective implementation of a management system,” said Edward L. Maschmeier, associate VP of certification at SRI Quality System Registrar. “ISO 9001 certification provides evidence to customers, suppliers, employees, and their community of their commitment to producing a quality product (service) and providing customer satisfaction.”

Silky Saw has recently been added to Meyer Distributing’s line card. Silky saws are manufactured in Ono, Japan, which has been crafting fine wood cutting saws since the early 1900s.

“This is the perfect item for any camper, RVer, hiker, off-road enthusiast,” said Nick Gramelspacher, VP of sales and marketing for Meyer Distributing. “These saws work unlike any non-gas-powered cutting device I’ve ever seen. That performance along with a lifetime warranty made it an easy decision for Meyer to partner with Silky.”

Lippert Components has acquired substantially all of the business assets of Hehr International. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Hehr manufactures windows as well as tempered and laminated glass for the RV, transit, specialty vehicle, and other adjacent industries.

Hehr, which operates out of five U.S. locations, achieved sales of about $55 million for the 12 months ended December 2017. An acquisition sales price was not disclosed.

“We are excited to add Hehr’s business and employees to our growing portfolio of window and glass solutions for the RV and specialty vehicle markets,” said LCI’s CEO Jason Lippert. “Hehr represents many characteristics we look for in acquisitions: great teams, great products with diversified markets, and a great opportunity for growth.”

The Hehr team will remain with LCI to lead the acquired business under the direction of Josh Roan, VP of operations.

“Joining forces with an industry leader such as Lippert presents unique opportunities for growth, continued innovation, and overall advancement. We look forward to our future together,” said Mary Utick, CEO of Hehr.

“Hehr’s geographic diversification allows us to better serve our customers,” said Scott Mereness, LCI’s president. “Additionally, their customer base is a great mix of various industries that we know or are targeting for growth. Hehr is another highly strategic LCI investment. We expect to leverage our purchasing, sales, distribution, and administrative capabilities to improve the profitability of this business, and we expect this acquisition to be immediately accretive to LCI’s earnings.”

The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday recommended that President Donald Trump impose a range of tariffs and quotas on imported aluminum and steel.

This story by Joe Deaux and Andrew Mayeda appeared in Automotive News.

In a briefing with reporters over the results of his department’s investigation, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross proposed a 24 percent global tariff on steel shipments coming into the U.S. and a 7.7 percent duty on aluminum imports. Trump has the latitude to choose between these types of options or even enter talks with producers to find solutions.

Shares in Ford Motor Co. and General Motors fell on the news. GM dropped 1.8 percent to close at $41.09 while Ford slipped 1.4 percent to $10.61. 

Expectations for pricier raw materials contributed to Ford’s forecast in January that profit will decline this year. The automaker made a big bet a few years ago on aluminum by choosing to use the lighter-weight metal for the bodies of its lucrative F-series pickups and biggest SUVs. GM has projected 2018 adjusted earnings per share will be in line with last year’s result.

Trump instructed the Commerce Department last year to probe whether imports of steel and aluminum represent a threat to U.S. national security. The investigation took place under the seldom-used Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Ross last month submitted his department’s final reports to Trump on steel and aluminum. The president now has until about mid-April to decide on any potential action.

Imposing tariffs on such widely used commodities may trigger retaliatory measures from China, the world’s biggest producer of steel and aluminum. It could also inflate manufacturing and consumer prices in the U.S., and inflame tensions with allies such as Japan, India, Germany and Canada. Group of 20 economies have pushed back against the threat of steel tariffs, warning that such a move could set off a trade war.

Prospec Electronics, a market leader in high-performance outdoor audio solutions for consumers and OEMs, announced changes in its corporate structure. Todd Allen has been promoted to president, Josh Berry is now VP of sales and marketing, and Dave Sykes will assume the role of CEO.

“Todd has been the face of Prospec with our vendors in China for many years, as well as the primary contact with numerous major accounts,” said Sykes. “He’s been key in developing the innovative products that are leading our industries, and contributed greatly to updating our internal infrastructure.”

Sykes was formerly president, and Allen VP of marketing and sales.

“Josh has represented Prospec to many of our accounts over the past 15 years,” said Sykes. “In addition, his contributions in updating our marketing efforts make our products more desirable and easier to sell.”

Berry had been director of sales and marketing.

Current Prospec Electronics brands include Infinity by Harman, JBL by Harman and Milennia.

Patrick Industries has completed the acquisition of the business and certain assets of Madison, Tenn.-based Metal Moulding Corp. (MMC), a manufacturer of custom metal fabricated products, primarily for the marine market, including hinges, arm rests, brackets, panels and trim.

MMC’s full-year 2017 revenues were about $19 million. The total cash consideration paid was about $20 million, plus the potential for up to $2 million of additional consideration upon the achievement of certain performance metrics. The company expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to net income per share.

“This acquisition is well-aligned with our strategic initiatives and capital allocation strategy to continue to grow our content in the primary markets we serve,” said Todd Cleveland, CEO of Patrick. “MMC is a high-quality custom fabricator of a variety of metal and plastic products to OEMs in the marine industry, and their product offering complements our existing metal fabrication expertise and product portfolio.”

“MMC’s custom design, engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, and powder coat capabilities, coupled with their tremendous long-standing reputation and comprehensive suite of component products, will position us to further expand our presence in the growing marine market,” said Andy Nemeth, president of Patrick. “Consistent with previous acquisitions, we will support MMC with a financial and operational foundation that will allow it to capitalize on its core competencies while preserving the entrepreneurial spirit that has been so important to its success.”

“After more than 30 years in business, we are excited to partner with Patrick whose vast portfolio of products, resources, and customer first approach will help to further grow the MMC brand and bring a variety of value added solutions to our customers and markets,” said Jimmy Parrish, founder and president of MMC.

The acquisition of MMC included the acquisition of accounts receivable, inventory, and machinery and equipment, and was funded under the company’s existing credit facility.

Patrick will continue to operate MMC on a stand-alone basis under its brand name in its existing facility.

The Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show is the largest consumer RV Show in Canada and the only show produced by the Canadian RV Association.

It will be held at the Toronto International Centre from March 1 to 4.

The 400,000-square-foot event space will have more than 500 RVs on display of every type and for any budget.

Consumers can shop the 7,000-square-foot RV Parts and Camping Accessory Great Canadian Superstore

Campers Inn RV, the nation’s largest chain of family-operated RV dealerships, now carries several models of Winnebago motorhomes at its dealerships in Raleigh, N.C.; Mocksville, N.C.; and Macon-Byron, Ga.

 “We are thrilled to be able offer Winnebago motorhomes to our customers,” said Larry Peter, regional vice president of Southern Operations, Campers Inn RV. “Winnebago is an iconic RV brand which has produced innovative and high-quality motorhomes since 1958. We are proud to partner with another organization that shares our values and our commitment to the industry. By adding Winnebago to our line-up of industry-leading brands, we are continuing to provide our customers with the best options on the market.”

Campers Inn RV will carry Class A (gas and diesel), Class B and Class C Winnebago motorhomes, including models like the Grand Tour, Intent, Vista, Forza, Revel, Era, Travato and Horizon.

The dealership will also be featuring over two dozen Winnebago motorhomes at the FMCA International Convention and RV Expo, March 15 to 18, 2018, in Perry, Ga.

RVDA’s Convention/Expo Committee is soliciting workshop proposals for the 2018 RV Dealers Convention/Expo, Nov. 5-9 at Paris Las Vegas.

As the premier education event for RV dealers, over 1,300 individuals from across North America attend the workshops presented during the five-day event. 260+ U.S. and Canadian dealerships will be represented by dealer principals, general managers, and dealership personnel from every department at an RV dealership. The committee-selected workshops are Wednesday, Nov. 7 through Thursday, Nov. 8. Compliance sessions are Friday, Nov. 9. 

The selection committee welcomes submissions from “in-the-trenches” training professionals, consultants, dealership professionals, vendors, and others who support the RV industry. Individuals who can provide high impact programs with actionable strategies that will help dealers increase profitability and improve performance are encouraged to respond.

To submit a proposal:

Review the 2018 RVDA Convention/Expo Call for Workshop Proposals website for insight on the committee's vision for topics, submission guidelines, and selection criteria.

Identify topics that (a) would benefit RV dealers and their key employees and (b) can be effectively covered in the time allotted. The 2017 Convention/Expo program guide offers insight into the types of sessions presented at the event.

Gather the required information and submit your proposal using the online portal by March 5, 2018. 

The Convention/Expo Committee, comprised of industry leaders, selects presenters that offer attendees relevant, useful, “how to,” and actionable information in key areas of interest. For 2018, the committee is especially looking for submissions that will address:  

Understanding, managing and engaging different personality profiles/types

Exit strategies for dealers

Social media and eMarketing - including new techniques and reaching millennials

Selling - modern selling - beyond word tracks and scripts

Setting up and managing mentoring and coaching programs

Experiential/Immersive retailing  

Diversifying revenue streams

Finding talent: (1) recruiting and hiring from other industries, and (2) hiring and training veterans WITH 'how to' for finding and using state and federal resources and funding

Marketing channels: specific ideas with real-world examples

Analysis of market trends with guidance on consolidations and online retailers

Leadership and management training for department managers: motivating others, goal setting, and leading people

Keystone RV Co. is a step closer to completing plans for building a new storage lot in Goshen, Ind.

The Elkhart County Commissioners unanimously approved the company’s request to re-zone a chunk of land from agricultural to limited manufacturing during Monday morning’s meeting.

This story by Aimee Ambrose originally appeared in the Goshen News.

The vote followed the county planning and development department’s recommendation for the zoning change.

Keystone’s request involves about 20 acres of land the company owns between U.S. 33 and C.R. 40, according to county data. The land is currently vacant, and Keystone wants to use it to build an outside storage lot for RVs. The lot would be accessible from Keystone properties next door, west of the lot, county information shows.

The vote came as the Goshen City Council considers a request by Keystone RV to annex the property into the city.

In 2017, certain employers were required to electronically submit their 2016 300A Form on OSHA’s ITA (Injury Tracking Application) by Dec. 31. This February, employers must post their 2017 OSHA 300A Form at their workplace, and then also electronically submit that information by July 1.

Join KPA, in conjunction with the RV Dealers Association Learning Center, to learn more about new requirements during a webinar from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Feb. 28. 

Attendees will learn:

What incidents are “OSHA-recordable” 

The newest developments in the OSHA 300A regulations

Which part(s) of your establishment is required to report

To register, click here. For more information, contact Allyson Lewis at Alewis@kpaonline.com 866-356-1735 or Karin Van Duyse at the RV Learning Center at kvanduyse@rvda.org 703-591-7130.

MORryde is introducing the Step Storage Box. This durable, steel box allows owners of the MORryde StepAbove entry steps or the Lippert Solid Step to fill the empty space left by the removal of manufactured entry steps.

“With these new steps, there is no use for the existing fold-out steps, so customers want to do something else with that area. Storage is a premium in trailers, and we decided that a storage box would be a good product for that space.”

Following the aftermarket installation of the StepAbove or Lippert Solid Step, the removal of manufactured steps leaves an obvious space under the door. Simply bolt in the lockable Step Storage Box, utilizing that empty space with 1.5 cubic feet of extra storage.

Cummins Inc. will be releasing a five-part video series that highlights the benefits of diesel powered motorhomes compared to their gasoline counterparts. The video series is hosted by Evie, Cummins RV road travel expert, with each short video covering a different topic, including: fuel economy, hill climbing capability, noise comparison levels, vehicle braking differences and customer support.

Cummins Inc. produced the video series to educate customers on the ways a diesel choice can aid in RV travel, both economically and logistically. The video series shows consumers, through demonstrations, the benefits of diesel powered RVs for excursions across the country, including overall savings on mileage and improvement in travel comfort levels. With various field tests on how diesel works for an RV, the video series yields compelling results regarding the differences between diesel and gasoline for powering motorhomes.

“With this video series, we want to demonstrate to consumers the numerous benefits behind choosing a diesel powered RV and how beneficial diesel fuel can be for traveling near and far with their Cummins RV diesel engines,” said Jodie Wilson, Marketing Communications Director at Cummins Inc. “Creating a fun yet informative series and laying out all the facts on diesel powered motorhomes will give consumers the chance to decide for themselves which type of RV is best for them.”

The videos will be available on the Cummins RV website, as well as the Cummins Engines YouTube channel and the Cummins RV Facebook page.

Cava Robles, an RV resort and cottage project under development in Paso Robles, Calif., has chosen two local hospitality professionals to guide day-to-day resort operations.

Nigel Scott will serve as Cava Robles manager, with Kaitlin Butler assuming assistant manager duties.

Scott comes to the post with international experience that includes development of the Residences at The Little Nell, luxurious private mountainside accommodations located at the base of Aspen Mountain. He left the snow about a decade ago to manage real estate projects on the Central Coast. In his new role with Cava Robles, Scott is coordinating planning and development at the under-construction resort and will continue as resort manager after the mid-May opening.

Butler, Cava’s newly named assistant manager, brings a deep knowledge of the RV resort industry to her position. She most recently spent nearly four years as assistant manager at Wine Country RV Resort in Paso Robles, a Sun sister property.

According to Lisa Harold, regional vice president for Sun Communities and project lead for Cava Robles, the new on-the-ground leadership team at Cava Robles promises top-notch service for resort guests.

“I was delighted to find these two exceptionally qualified professionals to lead our team,” Harold said. “Nigel brings upscale hospitality experience; Kaitlin has a keen knowledge of both the RV industry and our Sun Communities commitment to excellence, and both have an entrenched love of the Central Coast. They’re a perfect package.” 

Kampgrounds of America’s North American Camping Report was recognized as the Best Use of Measurement & Post Campaign Analysis recently during the 2018 North American In2 Innovation Sabre Awards. 
The awards ceremony was held Feb. 13 in New York City. The In2 Innovation Sabre Awards recognize superior achievement in branding, reputation and engagement, and attracts more than 2,000 entries from across North America each year, according to KOA.

The KOA/Allison +Partners entry won the category over entries from Pfizer, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson and Overstock. 
The North American Camping Report, which is an annual scientific survey analysis of camping habits and patterns in the U.S. and Canada, was created in 2015 with the help of KOA’s public relations partner, Allison +Partners. 
The fourth edition of the report will be released in April 2018. Data in the report is openly shared by KOA, and it has quickly become the outdoor industry standard for camping information. The report surveys nearly 3,000 North American campers of all types each year to help identify emerging trends and changes in camper demographics, as well as the desires of differing segments of campers. 
The 2018 North American In2 Innovation Sabre Awards judges cited the 2017 North American Camping Report, along with Allison +Partners’ ensuing public relations campaign, as “Robust and insightful metrics following a highly targeted campaign to update consumer perceptions around camping.” 
An electronic version of the 2017 North American Camping Report is currently available for download on the KOA Pressroom at www.koapressroom.com. The 2018 edition of the report will be available for download in April.

A complete list of 2018 winners of the In2 Innovation Sabre Awards is available at https://www.holmesreport.com/events-awards/sabre-awards/in2-sabre-awards/2018-winners. 

Garmin has announced that it has acquired Trigentic AB, a provider of intelligent products and services in the areas of embedded systems, power supply and power distribution for the marine and RV market. The Trigentic components are marketed and sold under the EmpirBus brand.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not released.

 “The acquisition of Trigentic will allow Garmin to more completely serve marine and RV OEMs with a complete suite of multi-function displays, components, and the backbone that enables digital controls and smart boat features,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin president and CEO. “EmpirBus is widely respected among OEM providers, and we look forward to expanding their products globally.”

EmpirBus components help boat manufacturers deliver their customers’ desires for a completely connected boat. With EmpirBus components and Garmin MFDs, cruisers, sailors, and anglers can easily control virtually any device on their vessel – from propulsion to pumps, air conditioning to infotainment. This connectivity enhances situational awareness and makes time on the water even more enjoyable, according to Garmin.

Trigentic is headquartered near Gothenburg, Sweden. Garmin plans to retain the facility and combine the talent of both teams to serve the marine market. 

Traveler’s Choice, manufacturer and distributor of fine quality travel goods, and Airstream, manufacturer of the iconic “silver bullet” travel trailer, have partnered for a new line of licensed Airstream riveted luggage.

The partnership allows both companies to create a new means of interacting with the adventurer’s experience. Priced at about $300, the Traveler’s Choice Airstream Travelware is available in durable polycarbonate hard-shell materials with a brushed aluminum textured finish to match Airstream’s classic style.

Options include the ability for owners to customize their luggage with photos from their Airstream adventures. The luggage will be available through Airstream dealerships, eCommerce sites and all Traveler’s Choice retail channels.

The Traveler’s Choice Airstream luggage options provide a fun, new way of taking part in the iconic Americana image associated with the Airstream brand, according to Airstream. Adventurers can enjoy traveling to all corners of the world, while keeping a piece of the Airstream experience with them wherever they go.

The luggage comes complete with Airstream’s name and signage on the body of the luggage. This new product line will be unveiled at a number of industry trade shows starting early in 2018.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Traveler’s Choice to create this one-of-a-kind luggage line,” said Mollie Hansen, chief marketing officer at Airstream. “Their commitment to quality and style aligns well with ours and we hope our travelers will enjoy using this beautiful and sturdy piece of luggage no matter where they go.”

ELKHART, Ind. – Crews used boats to help residents evacuate their homes in northern Indiana after rainstorms sweeping across the Midwest on Wednesday combined with melting snow to flood rivers, roads and other low-lying areas in several states, according to the Associated Press.

The storm system starting pushed heavy rain, snow and ice into the region this week, and the weather has already been blamed for hundreds of car crashes and several fatalities, including the deaths of four people in a crash along a slippery interstate in Nebraska, the AP reported.

About 19 people had been evacuated from homes in Elkhart, a town just east of South Bend, by early Wednesday, said Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese. Local schools were closed because of the flooding and an emergency shelter was set up to help evacuees overnight, The Elkhart Truth newspaper reported.

It was not immediately clear what impact the flooding is having on Elkhart-based manufacturers and suppliers.

Read more: http://time.com/5169171/severe-floods-midwest/

Aries, a manufacturer of Jeep, SUV and CUV accessories, announces the release of its all-new, U.S.A.-made ActionTrac powered running boards. These off-road-ready steps are the next generation of power running boards, featuring an innovative step-within-a-step design, smart sensors for added safety and no-drill installation.

Unlike any other power running boards on the market, ActionTrac boards feature a step-within-a-step. They operate with integrated smart sensors that automatically deploy the power step 8-inch when the door opens. That’s up to 15-inch below the doorsill, depending on the application. The main housing offers an additional non-skid stepping surface on top, providing easy, two-step entry and exit. This is especially useful out on the trails on larger, lifted trucks and Jeeps. When the door closes, the power step is retracted and concealed within the housing for a sleek, contoured look. The smart sensors also detect any obstructions to avoid damage and pinch hazards.

ActionTrac powered running boards are also unique in their ease of installation. They mount using pre-existing factory holes, eliminating the need for drilling and reducing installation time. The use of factory mounting points also eliminates the need for alignment on the pivot points and the risk of binding.

For long-lasting resilience on the road and in the field, ActionTrac retractable running boards are constructed from powder-coated aluminum. The aluminum is 6061-T6, making it very durable, lightweight and corrosion-resistant. The housing keeps the power step dry in wet, muddy conditions and seals the internal components off from water, dirt and other off-road debris. The motors within the steps are water-resistant and the wiring harnesses are waterproof. This also makes cleanup very easily. Simply spray them down with a hose and let air dry.

Aries ActionTrac powered running boards are available for the Jeep Wrangler JK and JL, with select applications of pickup trucks and SUVs coming soon.