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C O N N E C T I N G T H E G L O B A L C A M P I N G I N D U S T R Y<br />
ISSUE <strong>08</strong> | CAMPINGTRADEWORLD.COM<br />
Rolling awnings<br />
crafted in Italy<br />
Find out more on page 32<br />
M: info@scalabros.it<br />
D: www.scalabros.it
TRANSIT BETTER<br />
WITH<br />
SUPERSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL<br />
ENTERS THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SPACE.<br />
superspringsinternational.com
SuperSprings are a simple, bolt-on, steel<br />
helper spring that eliminates rear-end sag and<br />
stabilizes sway & body roll. Handmade from<br />
high-grade shot peened steel, this suspension<br />
solution encourages you to build it heavy<br />
without worrying about losing battery range<br />
or your ride quality.<br />
Welcome to the last suspension upgrade<br />
for your electric van.<br />
See more on page 34
WELCOME<br />
MEET THE TEAM<br />
DAVID GUEST<br />
EDITOR<br />
David has worked in B2B publishing since 2006 and has edited<br />
several major titles in that time. He has also worked on the UK’s<br />
biggest consumer camping magazine, <strong>Camping</strong> & Caravanning. A<br />
keen camper and outdoorsman, David will bring you the very latest<br />
international industry news.<br />
david.guest@dhpub.co.uk<br />
JUSTIN FOX<br />
PUBLISHER<br />
Justin is hugely experienced in publishing and oversees the running<br />
of all of David Hall Publishing’s titles, which includes not only B2B<br />
titles, but also some enthusiast consumer brands too. Justin’s<br />
organisational and sales skills are invaluable to the business.<br />
justin@dhpub.co.uk<br />
WILLEM BONNEUX<br />
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT<br />
Fluent in several languages, Willem is hugely experienced in<br />
helping outdoor industry brands realise their global communication<br />
ambitions. He has a broad background in sales, marketing and key<br />
account management.<br />
willem.bonneux@dhpub.co.uk<br />
GUIDO KNEGT<br />
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT<br />
Guido has a wealth of experience in helping companies grow their<br />
international export businesses. He speaks numerous languages<br />
and is well-known for going that extra mile for all of his international<br />
customers.<br />
guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk<br />
MARK GRAFTON<br />
DESIGNER<br />
Mark is the man who takes our essential trade info and turns it into<br />
something beautiful. A freelance designer with more than 20 years of<br />
experience as a magazine and digital designer, we trust him to make<br />
us look good.<br />
housegrafton@gmail.com<br />
PAUL EVANS<br />
ART EDITOR<br />
Paul is the Art Editor of our publishing house and he runs the rule<br />
over the creative direction of our titles. He has worked in the company<br />
since 20<strong>08</strong> and keeps our vision in focus.<br />
IS ELECTRIC REALLY THE DREAM?<br />
Y<br />
■ou’ll find a piece on<br />
pages 18 and 19 of this<br />
issue that investigates<br />
whether electric-powered<br />
RVs are the sole answer to the<br />
world’s fossil fuel problem. In<br />
my personal opinion, I’m not so<br />
certain they should be considered<br />
the golden bullet that many<br />
seem to think they are. Naturally,<br />
they vastly reduce carbon<br />
emissions (although we shouldn’t<br />
forget that a large part of how<br />
electricity is made is not exactly<br />
clean), but there a number of<br />
problems they face. One is<br />
infrastructure, particularly on<br />
campsites, which already have a<br />
large number of electric hook-up<br />
points for leisure batteries. There<br />
just isn’t enough infrastructure<br />
for a large proportion of the<br />
global population to have<br />
electric RVs, and to catch<br />
up will be a never-ending<br />
race. Then there’s the issue of<br />
range <strong>–</strong> at present, electric RVs<br />
simply do not meet the needs<br />
and expectations of end users,<br />
although this is something that<br />
many manufacturers are working<br />
very hard to solve. Electric<br />
vehicles will naturally evolve<br />
and improve, but to me it feels<br />
like everyone has thrown their<br />
eggs into one basket without<br />
truly thinking about the long<br />
game. There are other options<br />
out there: different natural gases,<br />
other liquid fuels, things that<br />
may be able to use the existing<br />
infrastructure we have for<br />
petroleum and diesel. I’m not<br />
purporting to know the answer<br />
to the riddle, but I do think it is<br />
worth the industry taking a little<br />
time and investment to explore<br />
some alternative options…<br />
You may (hopefully) notice<br />
that <strong>Camping</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong> seems<br />
a little smoother and faster<br />
this issue <strong>–</strong> that’s because we<br />
have changed to a new hosting<br />
partner Yumpu, which we hope<br />
will deliver an even better service<br />
for the camping, caravanning<br />
and RV industries. As always,<br />
please direct any feedback to me<br />
or one of the other members of<br />
the team.<br />
Also, don’t forget that the next<br />
issue will be our special Caravan<br />
Salon 2022 preview edition.<br />
If you’re going to be at the<br />
caravanning industry’s biggest<br />
event and want to let people<br />
know why they can’t afford to<br />
miss a visit to your stand, get<br />
in touch with us today to see<br />
how we can create a custom<br />
marketing plan for you.<br />
Enjoy the issue,<br />
David Guest<br />
04 | www.campingtradeworld.com
CONTENTS<br />
10<br />
16<br />
38<br />
44<br />
58<br />
BASECAMP<br />
06-13 Want the latest trends, news and views from the global<br />
camping and caravanning industry? You came to the right<br />
place. Our global round-up has you covered.<br />
THE DETAIL<br />
14 The Campfire Group, owner of Holtkamper and Easy<br />
Caravanning, has a new, centralised headquarters.<br />
16-17 One of the USA’s biggest roof tent brands, Roofnest, is<br />
making its way across the pond to set-up in the UK.<br />
18-19 Is the future of leisure vehicle propulsion electric, or are<br />
there other more viable long-term options? Enter the<br />
world of natural gas-powered vehicles.<br />
20-21 The camping market in South Korea continues to boom,<br />
we bring you a review of its biggest industry event.<br />
22-23 Eriba proves that luxury caravanning is still popular as it<br />
celebrates the production of its 100th Touring 820 model.<br />
24-25 A check of the financial results for some of the industry’s<br />
major players in the first quarter of 2022 shows that we are<br />
still flying high.<br />
FEATURES<br />
26-31 Our Doing Business With feature heads to the Far East and<br />
examines the camping and leisure vehicle market in Japan.<br />
32-33 Italian design, a passion for quality, and innovative product<br />
ideas: all of this could be yours by working with Scalabros.<br />
34-35 How SuperSprings International is helping electricpowered<br />
RVs perform to their maximum.<br />
38-41 Truma’s managing director commercial, Markus Heringer,<br />
reveals the company’s plans for the future in our exclusive<br />
interview.<br />
42-43 How did Kampgrounds of America become one of<br />
North America’s leading authorities in the market? We<br />
investigate on the company’s 60th anniversary.<br />
44-47 We look back on 65 years of Danish awning innovator<br />
Isabella to see where the company has come from and<br />
where it is headed for the future.<br />
48-53 The humble tent is part of a thriving market that could<br />
easily help you grow your business <strong>–</strong> our Sector Spotlight<br />
feature tells you how.<br />
54-57 Exhibitions are back on the menu. Our marketing guru<br />
helps you devise better strategies and obtain better results<br />
from them.<br />
MAKING CONTACT<br />
58-63 See some of the latest and greatest products that have hit<br />
the market in the last two months in our regular product<br />
highlight section.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 05
BASE CAMP<br />
99 PROBLEMS BUT A CAMPSITE AIN’T ONE<br />
■ay-Z. Love him or hate him (or as both companies experience record<br />
maybe you have no opinion), you growth: Hipcamp, backed by Jay-Z, has<br />
J<br />
definitely know who he is. Well, seen a 460 per cent increase in bookings<br />
now the well-known rap artist is bringing since 2019, while the number of stays<br />
one of the USA’s best-known providers of booked via Cool <strong>Camping</strong> increased 340<br />
outdoor stays to Europe… sort of. Jay-Z per cent during the same period.<br />
backs Hipcamp, a fully remote company “It’s a hugely exciting moment as<br />
that helps farmers, ranchers, vintners, and we join forces with Hipcamp <strong>–</strong> our<br />
other landowners generate new revenue spiritual cousins internationally,” said<br />
streams to conserve their land and keep it Cool <strong>Camping</strong> founder Jonathan<br />
wild by offering it out as places to camp Knight. “We’re proud of the trust that<br />
and RV. Now people in the UK will be Cool <strong>Camping</strong> has built up with our<br />
able to book through Hipcamp.com after community during the past 15 years, and<br />
the company acquired Tripadee Ltd, a<br />
deal which includes the full integration of<br />
its popular Cool <strong>Camping</strong> brand into the<br />
Hipcamp platform. The acquisition comes<br />
as we now adopt the Hipcamp brand in<br />
the UK, we look forward to continuing to<br />
build on that trust. Our entire community<br />
will benefit from the Hipcamp platform<br />
- which makes getting outside at a<br />
moment’s notice easier than ever.”<br />
Jonathan will now serve as UK country<br />
manager for Hipcamp.<br />
“One of our core beliefs is that getting<br />
outside should be simple,” said Hipcamp<br />
founder and CEO Alyssa Ravasio.<br />
“Jonathan and his team have done so much<br />
great work to make that mission possible in<br />
the UK. I’m excited to further our shared<br />
mission of getting more people outside<br />
and inspiring a new love for nature.” Learn<br />
more online at www.hipcamp.com<br />
Photo: Hipcamp<br />
CARAVAN SALON HAS<br />
PULLING POWER<br />
Caravan Salon is without<br />
doubt the epicentre of a lot of<br />
what happens in our industry.<br />
So much so, that it often<br />
attracts companies on the<br />
fringes of caravanning and<br />
camping looking to get a firmer<br />
foothold with the customer<br />
base. One such example is<br />
Krug Expedition, an Austrian<br />
manufacturer of high-end<br />
expedition vehicles that has<br />
placed Caravan Salon at the<br />
top of its list of important trade<br />
shows for 2022. The company<br />
has highlighted Caravan Salon<br />
in Dusseldorf as one of the<br />
main events it will be present<br />
at, and it is inviting people to<br />
make appointments to view its<br />
latest innovations. As well as<br />
showcasing its Project Rhino<br />
Mercedes-Benz Atego 1023 in<br />
a new lightweight version, it<br />
will also be showing a surprise<br />
vehicle that it top secret until<br />
the exhibition begins.<br />
A statement from Krug<br />
explained: “Both the impact of<br />
COVID-19, which has caused<br />
a domino effect of pressure on<br />
supply chains and a crucial parts<br />
shortage over the past years,<br />
and the impact of the war in<br />
Ukraine have had a noticeable<br />
impact on the way we run our<br />
day-to-day business.<br />
“We believe in quality in every<br />
detail. With great intention<br />
and care, we used the past<br />
few months to strengthen the<br />
production of our tried-andtested<br />
range of Series Modules.<br />
The production capacities were<br />
expanded within Austria and at<br />
other locations within the EU,<br />
and our warehousing was thus<br />
able to be massively expanded.<br />
The goal being that we can<br />
keep our delivery promises<br />
06 | www.campingtradeworld.com
BASE CAMP<br />
INDUSTRY INSIDERS<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
▲ Austrian firm Krug Expedition is aiming to take full advantage of exhibiting at Caravan Salon.<br />
to our customers and deepen<br />
relationships with our customers<br />
and important partners.” Find<br />
out more about Krug at<br />
www.krugxp.com<br />
THE POWER OF SPORT<br />
Sport has the power to do many<br />
things. And one of those things<br />
is reinforce and enhance the<br />
reputation of your brand and<br />
the quality of your products.<br />
That’s probably part of the<br />
reason why German motorhome<br />
brand Carthago is continuing<br />
its partnership with professional<br />
cyclist and two-time Tour de<br />
France winner Tadej Pogačar<br />
by supplying him with another<br />
first-class motorhome to use<br />
during training and racing.<br />
The 23-year-old Slovenian is<br />
widely regarded as one of the<br />
top performers in world cycling<br />
at the moment and collected his<br />
new Carthago c-compactline<br />
motorhome from the company’s<br />
Slovenian factory in May <strong>–</strong> even<br />
taking part in a community bike<br />
ride with more than 200 of the<br />
facility’s employees.<br />
Marcus Kern, chairman of<br />
the Carthago management,<br />
said: “We are delighted that<br />
the top racing cyclist is relying<br />
on a top class motorhome<br />
from our company. Cycling<br />
and motorhomes have certain<br />
things in common: hard<br />
training and precision work are<br />
required in order to produce top<br />
performance in both areas.”<br />
Meanwhile Sandra Županec,<br />
managing director of Carthago<br />
d.o.o., added: “We are proud of<br />
the fact that Tadej Pogačar is<br />
staying on board as a part of the<br />
Carthago family. The outstanding<br />
popularity of this event with our<br />
employees on their weekend off<br />
is a good indication of the level<br />
of their identification with the<br />
top sportsman, who embodies<br />
the same values as the Carthago<br />
brand: team play, appreciation<br />
and trust.” For more, visit:<br />
www.carthago.com<br />
Eriba brand manager,<br />
Matthias Binder, explains<br />
his pride in the luxury<br />
caravan name as its 100th<br />
Touring 820 caravan was<br />
wheeled off the production<br />
line. P22<br />
Chelsea Ramm, vice<br />
president of global supply<br />
chain at Lightning eMotors,<br />
gives an insight into how<br />
it is helping create electric<br />
vehicles that could be<br />
of great value to the RV<br />
industry. P34<br />
Truma’s commercial<br />
managing director Markus<br />
Heringer explains how the<br />
company plans to achieve<br />
its aim of making camping<br />
safer and more comfortable<br />
with continuous<br />
innovations. P38<br />
▲ Tadej Pogacar (centre, pink top) with the Carthago team from its Slovenian production plant.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 07
BASE CAMP<br />
STUDY KEY FINDINGS<br />
Photo: Thor Industries<br />
ELECTRIC EXPECTATIONS<br />
■lectric RVs are coming, there’s no doubt about that. But<br />
are they going to deliver what people want and need<br />
E<br />
them to? That’s what the world’s biggest manufacturer<br />
of RVs, Thor Industries, set out to discover when it conducted its<br />
recent North American Motorized Electric RV Study. The dawn<br />
of this new product category represents a great opportunity for<br />
the industry to build truly customer-centric products that cater<br />
precisely to the needs of campers. The study revealed several<br />
interesting trends, but the overriding message was long-range is<br />
key <strong>–</strong> 45 per cent of consumers expect to be able to drive for five<br />
to six hours on a single charge.<br />
Thor president and CEO, Bob Martin, said: “As the global<br />
leader in the RV industry, it’s important that we share some of the<br />
critical data and insights used to inform innovation efforts across<br />
the THOR family of companies, which allow us to anticipate and<br />
exceed consumer expectations.<br />
“Our motorized electric RV study confirms that the highvoltage<br />
motorized platform we’ve developed meets the<br />
expectations of consumers, however charging infrastructure<br />
development is necessary to increase adoption. When it comes<br />
to electrification, THOR is positioned to redefine the RV<br />
experience.” Learn more at: www.thorindustries.com<br />
<strong>08</strong> | www.campingtradeworld.com<br />
47%<br />
Expect to use a motorised<br />
electric RV at least “once a<br />
week or more often” or “once<br />
evert two to three weeks”.<br />
97%<br />
Expect to drive for three hours<br />
or longer before charging.<br />
70%<br />
report that the inclusion of an<br />
onboard fuel cell for recharging<br />
the vehicle’s battery positively<br />
impacts their purchase interest<br />
level, regardless of a small<br />
carbon footprint.<br />
44%<br />
Expect a fast-charging (onehour)<br />
station at each individual<br />
campground spot.<br />
47%<br />
Report charging time is<br />
expected to be 45-59 minutes.<br />
34%<br />
Report charging cost from<br />
empty to full is expected to be<br />
US$41 to US$60.<br />
GREEN AND PLEASANT<br />
Being green is, of course, high<br />
on the agenda for most modern<br />
businesses, especially those in<br />
this industry, which depends on<br />
a healthy environment for people<br />
to be able to enjoy camping.<br />
Many of us probably think<br />
we are doing the right thing<br />
when it comes to this, but to<br />
get a real sense of affirmation,<br />
receiving an award for your<br />
efforts is a big help. That’s what<br />
recently happened to eco toilet<br />
and fluid producer Solbio and<br />
eco coolbox inventor QOOL.<br />
Solbio was awarded with the<br />
Ecogarantie label for 2022 <strong>–</strong> a<br />
label that recognises brands<br />
that show strong commitment<br />
to offer real ecological, to help<br />
consumers ascertain what is a<br />
real eco product versus those<br />
that claim to be. The Ecogarantie<br />
label means a product is 100<br />
per cent organic, 100 per<br />
cent neutral, biodegradable,<br />
features no GMO and no<br />
petrochemicals. Meanwhile<br />
QOOL managed to impress a<br />
panel of 26 international judges<br />
and be awarded the Green<br />
Product Award for the ‘Kitchen’<br />
category with its Box Eco+.<br />
This product is the first cooler<br />
made of recycled material that is<br />
insulated with vacuum insulation<br />
panels and equipped with special<br />
temperature elements. This<br />
allows it to keep temperatures<br />
between -25 °C to +25 °C<br />
constantly for up to 10 days. The<br />
temperature can be defined by<br />
selecting different temperature<br />
elements, which contain special<br />
liquids depending on the<br />
temperature range.
BASE CAMP<br />
MOVERS AND SHAKERS<br />
The who’s who of hires and promotions<br />
Leading German motorhome maker<br />
Carthago is continuing its partnership<br />
with elite pro cyclist Tadej Pogacar. The<br />
23-year-old Slovenian rider collected a<br />
new Carthago c-compactline motorhome<br />
from the one of the company’s factories<br />
in Slovenia to use as his base for training<br />
and racing. German RV and caravan<br />
door manufacturing expert Konrad<br />
Baur has announced an expansion to<br />
its management team with Thomas<br />
Baur-Beyerlin becoming the company’s<br />
new COO. Thomas is the brother of the<br />
company’s current CEO Benjamin Baur<br />
and the son of the founder and CTO<br />
Konrad Baur, further strengthening the<br />
company’s family-run ethos. Another<br />
leading German leisure vehicle producer,<br />
Knaus Tabbert, has appointed Stephan<br />
Petschow as its new head of marketing.<br />
Stephan replaces Christoph Bauer, who<br />
after five years in this role will assume<br />
another key position on the company.<br />
The previous interim head of marketing,<br />
Maximilian Recke, will remain on as<br />
deputy head of marketing to support<br />
Stephan in the new role. Leading<br />
European camping manufacturer Oase<br />
Outdoors ApS, which owns brands<br />
Outwell, Robens and Easy Camp, has<br />
announced that it will have a new CEO<br />
in the shape of Henrik Bernth. Henrik,<br />
who previously served as sales director<br />
for Oase Outdoors before working for<br />
three years as CEO of the Danish Ocean<br />
Textile Group, will take the reins from<br />
Henrik Arens, who is stepping aside<br />
after many years of excellent leadership.<br />
The change is expected to take effect<br />
by 1 August. There have also been<br />
some personnel changes at American<br />
RV components expert Lippert. Julie<br />
Markiewicz has been promoted to the<br />
role of vice president of internal audit<br />
and compliance, while Matthew Johnson<br />
has been named as the new managing<br />
director of Lippert Marine Group Europe.<br />
The company has also promoted Greg<br />
Moeller to the position of vice president<br />
of sales: building products, while Chad<br />
Novak has been promoted to the position<br />
of vice president of sales.<br />
Tell us about your hires and promotions via:<br />
david.guest@dhpub.co.uk
BASE CAMP<br />
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT<br />
H<br />
■opefully you have noticed something different<br />
about <strong>Camping</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong> this month. We<br />
have partnered with digital publishing expert<br />
Yumpu to vastly improve our product <strong>–</strong> making it faster,<br />
more user-friendly, and with all-new smart features<br />
such as directly embedded videos. It’s all part of our<br />
mission to continue to deliver the very best industry<br />
resource we can for the camping, caravanning and RV<br />
industries. All back issues of our magazine have been<br />
updated to this new host, and all future issues will be<br />
on it. We hope you enjoy it, and we always welcome<br />
feedback. Get in touch with editor David Guest at:<br />
david.guest@dhpub.co.uk<br />
IF YOU WANT<br />
SOMETHING DONE<br />
RIGHT…<br />
You know the rest: do it yourself.<br />
That is precisely the mentality<br />
that Germany brand Hymer<br />
has taken by becoming the first<br />
motorhome manufacturer to<br />
start mass-producing its very<br />
own chassis after opening a<br />
new production facility in Bad<br />
Waldsee. The company has<br />
been working on construction<br />
of its so-called Super Light<br />
Chassis (SLC) production hall<br />
for around two years, and it<br />
claims to be the first bodywork<br />
manufacturer to start massproducing<br />
its very own chassis.<br />
It also means that Hymer’s<br />
centralised production will<br />
handle almost every crucial part<br />
of the value creation chain, as<br />
well as allowing it to respond<br />
faster and more flexibly to the<br />
current market situation and<br />
future changes.<br />
Christian Bauer, president<br />
of Hymer GmbH & Co. KG.,<br />
said: “Hymer has been known<br />
as a pioneer in the motorhome<br />
and caravanning industry for<br />
more than 60 years. By opening<br />
the SLC hall, we’re proud that<br />
we’ll become the first bodywork<br />
manufacturer to start actively<br />
producing its own chassis, which<br />
will enable us to take a truly<br />
▲ The new chassis manufacturing facility opens at Hymer.<br />
pioneering step forwards.”<br />
Hymer also says that in<br />
the process of developing this<br />
facility it worked on a number<br />
of automated solutions that will<br />
provide better safety for staff<br />
members. It also offers better<br />
ergonomics, quality control<br />
and more precision when<br />
manufacturing motorhomes.<br />
The facility is expected to be<br />
fully operational by June 2022,<br />
and Hymer will initially use<br />
it to produce the SLC chassis<br />
with five different wheelbases <strong>–</strong><br />
starting with the short versions<br />
from 3.90 metres through to<br />
the tandem axle model for the<br />
B-Class MasterLine I 890.<br />
DEALS ON WHEELS<br />
FCA Bank, a leading provider<br />
of mobility financial services,<br />
has agreed a pan-European<br />
partnership with one of the<br />
continent’s biggest motorhome<br />
manufacturers Carthago. The<br />
agreement will see FCA Bank<br />
provide financial services to<br />
Carthago’s network of more<br />
than 250 dealers as well as to<br />
end users, and will cover both<br />
Carthago products and also<br />
products of its Malibu brand.<br />
Through this partnership<br />
with Carthago, and the recent<br />
arrangements with two other<br />
prestigious manufacturers,<br />
Knaus Tabbert and Concorde,<br />
FCA Bank will cover around 40<br />
per cent of the total European<br />
motorhome market.<br />
One of the UK’s best-known<br />
tent manufacturers Terra Nova<br />
has taken the decision to become<br />
employee owned. The company,<br />
which also encompasses the<br />
Wild Country and Extremities<br />
brands, has been run by husband<br />
and wife team Andy Utting and<br />
Carolyn Budding for the past<br />
22 years. The couple have now<br />
transferred their ownership to<br />
an employee ownership trust<br />
10 | www.campingtradeworld.com
BASE CAMP<br />
in a move aimed at giving staff<br />
a greater sense of ownership<br />
and its benefits as the business<br />
continues to grow and develop.<br />
Lippert has announced the<br />
acquisition of Girard Systems<br />
and Girard Products, a wellknown<br />
RV industry supplier<br />
of awnings and tankless water<br />
heaters. The deal was completed<br />
via LCI Industries’ subsidiary<br />
firm Lippert Components<br />
Manufacturing.<br />
Girard has been a wellregarded<br />
name in the RV<br />
industry since 1995 and is<br />
particularly known for its<br />
high quality products and<br />
exceptional service. Having<br />
created a significant niche<br />
in the motorized segment of<br />
the market, Girard’s patented<br />
awnings are featured on<br />
many of the premier Class A<br />
motorized units.<br />
FIVE STATS TO MAKE YOU THINK<br />
Dometic recently announced all its European production facilities now run on renewable<br />
01 electricity, saving as much carbon emissions as it takes to charge 572,000,000 smartphones.<br />
One of Germany’s biggest leisure vehicle manufacturers, Knaus Tabbert, has reported<br />
02 an order intake of 6,000 units for the quarter as well as an increase of two per cent in<br />
units delivered to 7,247.<br />
British outdoor kit and camping brand Alpkit has received a £2.7 million funding package<br />
03 from HSBC UK, backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF) to help support its international growth.<br />
Thor Industries has uncovered that 45 per cent of consumers expect to be able to drive<br />
04 for five to six hours on a single charge in an electric RV.<br />
Bookings for UK campsites were up by 72 per cent in April 2022 compared to the same<br />
05 period pre-pandemic while forward bookings also look strong with 104 per cent growth<br />
so far this year.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 11
AROUND THE WORLD<br />
UNITED STATES<br />
Registration is now open for the RV Industry<br />
Association’s annual industry conference<br />
focused on the RV aftermarket segment. The<br />
2022 RV Aftermarket Conference will take place<br />
in San Antonio, Texas from 8 to 11 August and is<br />
focused on supporting the parts and accessory<br />
purchasing experience to benefit supply chain<br />
members and end users. The event will offer<br />
attendees the chance to learn vital business<br />
information about new customers entering the<br />
market, give networking opportunities with<br />
colleagues around the United States, offer a<br />
new meetings application that makes booking<br />
appointments easier than ever before, and host<br />
the annual RV Aftermarket Awards to highlight<br />
the top suppliers, distributors, reps and products<br />
of the year. Information about registration and<br />
also discounted accommodation info can be<br />
found online at www.rvia.org<br />
01<br />
Around the world<br />
<strong>Camping</strong> and leisure vehicles are a global business, but<br />
each corner of the world faces its own unique challenges<br />
and enjoys its own successes. Here’s a snapshot of what’s<br />
been happening on planet camping the last few months.<br />
02<br />
What’s happening<br />
in your part of the world?<br />
Contact us today and<br />
tell us your story:<br />
david.guest@dhpub.co.uk<br />
FRANCE<br />
France has long been one of the hotbeds of the camping and caravanning<br />
industry in Europe, but even this hugely well-established market is not immune<br />
to new trends. According to a report by UNIVDL, the French RV industry<br />
association, the humble mini-caravan is causing quite the stir in the market<br />
there. The report features input from several industry leaders who all believe<br />
that while the mini-caravan is still a niche market, it is one that is attracting new<br />
people to caravanning, specifically those from a younger demographic or with<br />
less expendable income. Could there be a time where mini-caravans will be on<br />
every campsite in France? Only time will tell.<br />
See the full story online at www.univdl.com<br />
12 | www.campingtradeworld.com
AROUND THE WORLD<br />
03<br />
UNITED KINGDOM<br />
A leading network of campsites in the Scotland and England has recently changed<br />
ownership and is looking towards a bright future. The <strong>Camping</strong> in the Forest network<br />
of campsites has been acquired by Forestry England and Forestry and Land Scotland<br />
after reaching an agreement to buy the controlling 72 per cent shareholding from the<br />
<strong>Camping</strong> and Caravanning Club. The move will allow Forestry England and Forestry<br />
and Land Scotland to develop the network of 16 campsites located within beautiful<br />
national forests in the country while the <strong>Camping</strong> and Caravanning Club can focus on<br />
maintaining the highest levels of service and experience for its customers at its near 100<br />
Club Sites throughout the country.<br />
Learn more at www.forestryengland.uk<br />
04<br />
DENMARK<br />
Industry body <strong>Camping</strong> Outdoor<br />
Denmark has made its stance clear<br />
for the country’s upcoming Finance<br />
Act 2023 as it attempts to make<br />
life fairer and more affordable for<br />
caravan and motorhome owners<br />
in the country. The organisation<br />
is proposing that caravans and<br />
motorhomes should be subject to<br />
reduced registration tax and fuel<br />
consumption tax due to the fact<br />
they drive far fewer kilometres than<br />
regular cars and are equipped with<br />
on-board facilities. Curently only<br />
classic cars over the age of 35 enjoy<br />
this tax relief. <strong>Camping</strong> Outdoor<br />
Denmark is also proposing to<br />
equalise the weight tax between<br />
caravans and trailers <strong>–</strong> at present<br />
caravan owners pay significantly<br />
more road tax in Denmark than<br />
those with regular trailers.<br />
Find out more at www.ocff.dk<br />
05<br />
GERMANY<br />
Despite difficult trading conditions and supply chain issues, the caravan and<br />
motorhome industry in Germany recorded a positive first quarter of 2022. New<br />
registrations of leisure vehicles fell slightly by about 4.8 per cent to 23,061 for the<br />
quarter, but that is compared to record figures from 2021. It is still higher than<br />
figures from 2020 and 2019. That figure is broken down by 17,485 new motorhomes<br />
registered (down 8.3 per cent on 2021) and 5,576 new caravans registered (up 7.9 per<br />
cent on 2021). Despite a lack of vehicle chassis, components and an overall shortage<br />
of materials, both motorhomes and caravans were able to top last year’s results in<br />
January and February.<br />
Visit www.civd.de for more.<br />
06<br />
AUSTRALIA<br />
The Caravan Industry Association of<br />
Australia announced with winners<br />
of its annual awards at the 2022<br />
edition of its National Conference<br />
in front of a 400-strong crowd on<br />
1 April. The Eric Hayman Award<br />
for Excellence was given to Chris<br />
Goddard. Meanwhile, Chris Johnson<br />
picked up the Richard Davis OAM<br />
Award, the Gerry Ryan OAM Award<br />
for Innovation was received by<br />
newBook, while Andrew Hewitt of<br />
BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park won<br />
the Apollo Future Leaders Award,<br />
which recognises dedication and<br />
outstanding achievements from<br />
the industry’s up-and-comers.<br />
Elsewhere, Blye Sky Caravans picked<br />
up People’s Choice Manufacturer<br />
of the Year and BIG4 Great Lakes<br />
at Forster Tuncurry won People’s<br />
Choice Caravan Park of the Year.<br />
See more about these awards at<br />
www.caravanindustry.com.au<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 13
CAMPFIRE GROUP THE DETAIL<br />
A future of unity<br />
Campfire Group, the Dutch company that owns trailer tent brands Holtkamper and Easy<br />
Caravanning, has opened a brand new manufacturing facility in Emmen, the Netherlands,<br />
that centralises its operations and improves overall efficiency and profitability.<br />
C<br />
■ampfire Group, the<br />
Dutch company that<br />
owns trailer tent<br />
brands Holtkamper and Easy<br />
Caravanning, has opened a<br />
brand new manufacturing<br />
facility in Emmen, the<br />
Netherlands. The facility will<br />
be known as the company’s<br />
Tent Trailer Center Basecamp<br />
and will allow the company<br />
to centralise its activities and<br />
become more efficient. As well<br />
as a manufacturing centre, the<br />
new location will also host the<br />
company’s marketing, sales,<br />
service, purchasing, warehouse,<br />
engineering and administration<br />
activities, as well as the tent<br />
workshop.<br />
Maarten de Roos, managing<br />
director of the Campfire Group,<br />
said: “The centralisation of<br />
our activities in Northern<br />
Netherlands is the next step in<br />
rolling out our growth strategy at<br />
home and abroad.<br />
“With start-up Easy<br />
Caravanning now in the scaleup<br />
phase, it was a logical next<br />
step to bring together the three<br />
locations for the assembly<br />
of our two own brands and<br />
the showroom and service<br />
workshop. This way, we can<br />
realise maximum synergy in both<br />
front and back-office activities.<br />
The Holtkamper assembly<br />
line (in close co-operation<br />
with manufacturing partner<br />
Technologies Added) is located<br />
within walking distance at the<br />
Kapitein Grantstraat.”<br />
Campfire Group’s maneger<br />
of operations, Niels Gerrits,<br />
▲ The new home of Holtkamper and Easy Caravanning in Emmen, in the north Netherlands.<br />
added: “The popularity for<br />
camping has further increased<br />
over the past few years - partly<br />
due to the influence of the<br />
corona pandemic. Light compact<br />
camping concepts are gaining<br />
popularity as today’s tow vehicles<br />
are more and more equipped<br />
with smaller energy efficient<br />
engines and/or fully electric<br />
drive trains. As Campfire Group,<br />
we have seen our growth further<br />
increase with the introduction<br />
of our 2nd own brand Easy<br />
Caravanning at the end of 2019.<br />
Several new projects are also<br />
in the pipeline for the coming<br />
years to further strengthen this<br />
strategy. It was therefore time,<br />
also from a capacity point of<br />
view, to move to a new larger<br />
location.”<br />
The new Emmen facility<br />
will have eight workstations in<br />
its production line, each with<br />
separate cells for subassembly,<br />
prototype construction and<br />
woodworking.<br />
After entering the factory,<br />
visitors walk through a corridor<br />
to the showroom. In the corridor,<br />
a small history exhibition looks<br />
back at the development of both<br />
trailer tent brands. In a time<br />
of increasing consolidation of<br />
manufacturers in the camping<br />
industry by European or global<br />
groups of manufacturers, with<br />
this new factory, the Netherlands<br />
has gained a unique independent<br />
manufacturer of top-of-therange<br />
trailer tents.<br />
Learn more at<br />
www.holtkamper.nl and<br />
www.easycaravanning.com<br />
14 | www.campingtradeworld.com
ROOFNEST THE DETAIL<br />
Going big in Blighty:<br />
RoofNest leaps<br />
across the pond<br />
Wild camping is gaining serious popularity in the UK, so much so that one of<br />
the USA’s largest rooftop tent brands has launched its collection of rugged and<br />
accessible models to campers in the country.<br />
Photos: Roofnest<br />
16 | www.campingtradeworld.com
THE DETAIL ROOFNEST<br />
WHY ROOFNEST?<br />
Roofnest tents deploy in<br />
seconds — Campers can<br />
go from driver’s seat to<br />
sleeping bag in a matter of<br />
moments.<br />
Sleep above the ground —<br />
On the car’s roof, campers<br />
avoid rocky or watersaturated<br />
campsites as<br />
well as late-night intrusions<br />
from animals.<br />
▲ Roofnest roof tents can be easily fitted to a wide range of vehicles, including saloons, SUVs,<br />
trucks, vans and even campervans <strong>–</strong> opening up a world of camping to many.<br />
T<br />
■he popularity of<br />
camping is such that<br />
people are seeking to<br />
enjoy its benefits any which<br />
way they can. Whether that’s<br />
from the relative comfort of<br />
a motorhome or caravan, or<br />
via the more nomadic method<br />
of tents, specifically rooftop<br />
tents. This boom is this market<br />
sector has been so strong that<br />
the largest manufacturer of<br />
rooftop tents in the United<br />
States, Boulder, Coloradobased<br />
Roofnest, has decided to<br />
expand its sales network into<br />
the vibrant United Kingdom<br />
market.<br />
“Wild camping is more<br />
popular than ever across<br />
the UK. With more people<br />
exploring nature, we saw an<br />
opportunity to bring our brand<br />
of weather-resistant, accessible,<br />
and easy-to-use rooftop tents<br />
to the United Kingdom,” said<br />
Roofnest Founder Tim Nickles.<br />
“We are confident that<br />
would-be wild campers,<br />
especially those who live in<br />
cities, will find Roofnest’s<br />
rooftop tents the perfect way to<br />
explore more remote portions<br />
of Great Britain without<br />
sacrificing their city-size car or<br />
urban lifestyle.”<br />
Roofnest has spent years<br />
developing a diverse line of<br />
hard-shell rooftop tents from its<br />
mountain town base in Boulder<br />
and aims to make wild camping<br />
easier, more comfortable, and<br />
more fun. Roofnest tents can<br />
mount to any car, hatch, SUV,<br />
truck, or van and transform it<br />
into a campervan worthy of<br />
the most unique wild-camping<br />
experience.<br />
The company will begin in<br />
the UK market with its pop-up<br />
Sparrow and fold-out Condor<br />
models. The Sparrow pop-up<br />
tent measures 211 cm long and<br />
124.5 cm wide, comfortably<br />
sleeping two. The Condor is a<br />
compact 211 cm by 153 cm but<br />
opens up to double its footprint<br />
and sleeps two to three people.<br />
Roofnest tents fit a wide<br />
variety of vehicles, including<br />
cars and campervans too. Learn<br />
more online at:<br />
www.roofnest.com<br />
Warm and weatherresistant<br />
— The fibreglassreinforced<br />
top shell keeps<br />
rain out while the 280-<br />
gram polyurethane-coated<br />
polyester and cotton<br />
blend wall materials keep<br />
campers warmer than a<br />
traditional tent.<br />
Quick installation and<br />
removal — Unlike a bulky<br />
and expensive campervan,<br />
a Roofnest rooftop tent can<br />
be uninstalled from a car<br />
relatively easily and stowed<br />
away when not in use,<br />
saving weight and fuel.<br />
Comfortable and featurerich<br />
— All Roofnest tents<br />
include a six-centimetrethick<br />
foam mattress,<br />
detachable shoe bags, and<br />
built-in battery-powered<br />
LED light strips.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 17
NATURAL GAS THE DETAIL<br />
The future’s bright,<br />
the future’s gas?<br />
With all the furore around electric vehicles, it’s easy to forget that there are other<br />
alternative fuel sources out there that could benefit the camping and caravanning<br />
industry. Natural gas is making a case for being a fuel of the future.<br />
Photo: Stellantis<br />
E<br />
■lectric is the future<br />
of the leisure vehicle<br />
industry. Right? Well,<br />
actually, it might not be the only<br />
solution for our industry as we<br />
look towards trying to create a<br />
future that is more sustainable<br />
and kinder to the environment.<br />
There is a clamour of movement<br />
and noise around alternatives to<br />
electric vehicles, despite them<br />
appearing to be considered the<br />
go-to solution to stop using<br />
fossil fuels. So, what are these<br />
alternatives? They almost all<br />
take the forms of natural gases.<br />
One such possible alternative<br />
is CNG or compressed natural<br />
gas. Unlike liquefied petroleum<br />
gas (LPG), CNG is not refinery<br />
gas but a natural gas and just<br />
as safe as petrol or diesel. It<br />
is usually compressed to 200<br />
bars before it is stored to<br />
save fuel tank space. CNG is<br />
already becoming more widely<br />
available around Europe, with<br />
an estimated 900 filling stations<br />
that supply this in Germany<br />
and 1,250 in Italy. Low base<br />
price and low consumption<br />
makes CNG much cheaper<br />
that petrol or diesel, which is<br />
another big benefit. It was made<br />
evident that CNG has some<br />
legs as a future fuel alternative<br />
when German motorhome<br />
brand Bürstner revealed its<br />
first eco-friendly natural gas<br />
campervan, the Eliseo CNG.<br />
Based on a 100 kW/134bhp<br />
Fiat Ducato Natural Power, this<br />
hybrid Eliseo mainly runs on<br />
natural gas but is also equipped<br />
with a petrol-powered backup<br />
engine. The vehicle is equipped<br />
with five natural gas tanks<br />
with an overall capacity of 22<br />
litres/36kg that are cleverly and<br />
safely positioned underneath<br />
the floor to ensure that they do<br />
not reduce the available living<br />
space. The press launch vehicle<br />
had a reach of 400 kilometres<br />
before the engine automatically<br />
switched to petrol.<br />
“With the Eliseo CNG, we<br />
want to provide our industry<br />
with yet more inspiration<br />
for a more environmentally-<br />
18 | www.campingtradeworld.com
THE DETAIL NATURAL GAS<br />
Photo: Bürstner<br />
▲ Bürstner gave us a glimpse of what is possible with compressed natural gas powered vehicles with its Eliseo motorhome.<br />
friendly future. At the moment,<br />
alternative engines for camper<br />
vans tend to be a more longterm<br />
issue. The respective<br />
demand is currently still low,”<br />
explained Bürstner’s managing<br />
director Jens Kromer.<br />
“However, as soon as we<br />
manage to increase their reach<br />
and the refuelling infrastructure<br />
improves, the development of<br />
alternative engine types may<br />
well gain considerably more<br />
rapid dynamics over the next<br />
few years.”<br />
HYDROGEN HYPE<br />
But CNG is just one of the<br />
gas-based alternatives that are<br />
being experimented with vehicle<br />
manufacturers and leisure<br />
vehicle producers. Late last year,<br />
Stellantis revealed a hydrogenpowered<br />
version of its popular<br />
Opel Vivaro van. Named the<br />
Vivaro-e Hydrogen, the van is<br />
based on the existing battery<br />
electric Opel Vivaro-e, and<br />
with full tanks of hydrogen, the<br />
driving range is more than 400<br />
kilometres. The 45 kW fuel cell<br />
is capable of generating enough<br />
power for continuous highway<br />
driving. It takes only three<br />
minutes to refuel with hydrogen<br />
<strong>–</strong> about the same time needed<br />
to fill up a conventional diesel<br />
or petrol vehicle.<br />
The 10.5 kWh lithiumion<br />
battery provides dynamic<br />
peak power when required,<br />
for example, at start-up and<br />
under acceleration. Since the<br />
battery covers power needs in<br />
such situations, the fuel cell<br />
can run at optimum operating<br />
conditions. The battery also<br />
enables regenerative braking,<br />
while the plug-in capability<br />
offers the opportunity to<br />
recharge the battery externally,<br />
if necessary, for example at a<br />
charging station, providing<br />
50 km of pure battery electric<br />
range.<br />
Opel CEO, Uwe<br />
Hochgeschurtz, said: “With<br />
the new Opel Vivaro-e<br />
HYDROGEN we are opening<br />
the next chapter in our<br />
sustainable mobility offensive.<br />
▲ Is natural gas the fuel<br />
solution? (Photo: Stellantis)<br />
The clever concept combines<br />
the advantages of hydrogen<br />
fuel cell propulsion with the<br />
versatility and capabilities of our<br />
best-selling light commercial<br />
vehicle.”<br />
Opel’s original intention for<br />
this fuel type is commercial<br />
and logistics, but it is easy to<br />
see how it could be translated<br />
into the motorhome and<br />
campervan sector. The main<br />
issue with Hydrogen and CNG<br />
is the fact that they are not<br />
yet fully widespread, and the<br />
amount of popular opinion<br />
they have behind them is small<br />
in comparison to electric. It’s<br />
not clear yet whether electric<br />
vehicles are the answer to<br />
the mobility problem facing<br />
the world, but with smart gas<br />
alternatives making strong cases<br />
for themselves, it’s possible that<br />
the future may have more than<br />
one long-term solution.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 19
CAMPING FAIR 2022 THE DETAIL<br />
Photos: Allfair/<strong>Camping</strong> & Picnic Fair<br />
4<br />
Days celebrating all<br />
things camping<br />
127<br />
Brands exhibited<br />
their products<br />
40<br />
Brands relating to<br />
leisure vehicles<br />
2013<br />
The first year the<br />
show took place<br />
20 | www.campingtradeworld.com
THE DETAIL CAMPING FAIR 2022<br />
<strong>Camping</strong> Fair in South<br />
Korea enjoys success<br />
on 10th anniversary<br />
67,195<br />
People attended<br />
the show<br />
South Korea’s leading camping exhibition the <strong>Camping</strong> & Picnic Fair celebrated its<br />
10th anniversary event in style with a large attendance and many happy exhibitors.<br />
What can we learn from it?<br />
T<br />
■he health of the camping<br />
industry in South Korea<br />
looks strong after more<br />
than 65,000 people attended the<br />
10th anniversary of one of its<br />
leading events, the <strong>Camping</strong> &<br />
Picnic Fair.<br />
Taking place from 10 to 13<br />
March at the Ilsan KINTEX<br />
exhibition centre just outside of<br />
the country’s capital city Seoul,<br />
the fair hosted 127 different<br />
brands including leading<br />
names such as KMZ, Snowline,<br />
Claymore, Wiwo, ABENAKI,<br />
Polaris, Lumera, and Decathlon<br />
Korea to name a few. The brand<br />
showcased products for the<br />
upcoming spring and summer<br />
camping season across many<br />
different product categories,<br />
with a particular upturn in the<br />
popularity of auto-camping<br />
or camping in vehicles such as<br />
campervans and motorhomes.<br />
There were around 40 brands<br />
exhibiting in the market sectors<br />
of camping trailers, motorhomes<br />
and caravans, with the trends<br />
pointing towards high-quality<br />
technology and also towards<br />
camping beginners.<br />
The show’s organisers, Allfair,<br />
said they hoped the show was<br />
a good opportunity to help<br />
campers widen their view in a<br />
short period of time and make<br />
more informed buying decisions<br />
by being able to compare so<br />
many products at once.<br />
Allfair also said: “We express<br />
our gratitude for the strong<br />
interest and affection from the<br />
visitors that attended the fair<br />
and claimed that it will try<br />
to spread the right camping<br />
culture.” <strong>–</strong> Allfair and the<br />
<strong>Camping</strong> & Picnic Fair have<br />
been running several campaigns<br />
to encourage correct camping<br />
etiquette, especially among<br />
newcomers to the hobby. One of<br />
its latest programmes was called<br />
‘Being quite a good camper’<br />
through its official SNS channel.<br />
Another highlight of the<br />
show was the official mascots:<br />
Seji and Somi, who made their<br />
debuts at the event. Fashioned<br />
as two campsite food favourites,<br />
a sausage and a marshmallow,<br />
Allfair said of the mascots:<br />
“The right camping culture<br />
is expected to be established<br />
through the pleasantly engaged<br />
campers linked in ‘Being a quite<br />
good camper’ with the friendly<br />
and cute Seji and Somi.”<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 21
ERIBA THE DETAIL<br />
Luxury travel<br />
is still in demand<br />
After the 100th Eriba Touring 820 caravan rolled off the German manufacturer’s<br />
production line, the company was left to examine just how high demand has<br />
been for premium quality models despite the individual financial strain many<br />
consumers are under. It seems quality will always sell.<br />
22 | www.campingtradeworld.com
THE DETAIL ERIBA<br />
Photos: Eriba<br />
▲ The 100th Eriba Touring 820 luxury caravan to be produced by the company was reason for celebration among the team.<br />
W<br />
■hen legendary German<br />
caravan brand Eriba<br />
launched its Touring<br />
820 model to the world in 2019,<br />
the company claimed that it<br />
would set new standards in<br />
luxury travel and camping. The<br />
modern flagship model caught<br />
the eye with its contemporary<br />
design both inside and out. It<br />
was a rethinking of a classic<br />
and featured a larger floorplan<br />
than previous models as well as<br />
headroom of over two metres, a<br />
touring steel cage construction<br />
with smooth silver sheet metal<br />
cladding, 180-degree panoramic<br />
windows, and rounded and<br />
modern furniture that was<br />
designed to encapsulate the<br />
feeling of a luxury yacht. In<br />
short, this was a caravan pitched<br />
at the very top end for those<br />
who enjoy the finer things in<br />
life. By default, those kind of<br />
luxury purchases normally don’t<br />
shift in huge numbers <strong>–</strong> the<br />
limited number of people with<br />
the financial freedom to invest<br />
in the best there is to offer<br />
is a major reason. But Erbia<br />
has managed to strike a sweet<br />
spot with this touring caravan,<br />
so much so that it recently<br />
celebrated the 100th version<br />
rolling off the production line<br />
in Bad Waldsee, Germany <strong>–</strong> an<br />
impressive feat for a large luxury<br />
touring caravan.<br />
Eriba brand manager,<br />
Matthias Binder, explains:<br />
“This special anniversary once<br />
again confirms that at Eriba<br />
we understand and successfully<br />
serve the demands of modern<br />
travel culture on a vehicle. At<br />
the same time, this milestone<br />
proves to us that with the<br />
Touring series we have been<br />
offering the ideal home on<br />
four wheels since day one.<br />
Even though we are constantly<br />
evolving, we have remained<br />
true to the iconic design in<br />
connection with the traditional<br />
Eriba quality standards to this<br />
day.”<br />
As well as featuring a design<br />
that catches the eye, the Eriba<br />
Touring 820 is smart on the<br />
inside too. The equipment and<br />
technology on board meets<br />
the standards of even the most<br />
demanding end user, such as:<br />
Eriba Smart Home control, air<br />
conditioning, heating and hot<br />
water that can be controlled<br />
via a digital display <strong>–</strong> a display<br />
that also allows you to monitor<br />
battery charge status, and<br />
fill levels of the fresh and<br />
wastewater tanks.<br />
The Eriba brand has stood<br />
for quality and functionality<br />
since 1957 and has shaped the<br />
world of travel with innovative<br />
caravans. Starting with the<br />
construction of the original<br />
Troll, the Eriba Touring<br />
continues to set standards in<br />
terms of design, aerodynamics<br />
and travel comfort to this day.<br />
The cult caravan is the only<br />
one of the brand that has been<br />
produced continuously for 65<br />
years, because its uniqueness<br />
makes it the most successful<br />
series of the company.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 23
Q1 THE DETAIL<br />
▲ The Knaus Tabbert headquarters: the German leisure vehicle manufacturer has reported strong figures for 2022 so<br />
+<br />
far.<br />
First quarter health<br />
check: we’re still flying<br />
After the past two years where records seem to have tumbled at every turn, it seemed<br />
only right to conduct a minor health check on the industry as the figures for the first<br />
quarter of 2022 start to filter through. Spoiler alert: the industry is still red hot.<br />
F<br />
■or a little while at<br />
least, it seemed like<br />
2022 was going to<br />
be the first relatively normal<br />
year for business in the postpandemic<br />
era. That quickly<br />
changed when conflict began in<br />
Europe and coronavirus began<br />
causing lockdown chaos in<br />
China once more <strong>–</strong> all of which<br />
has contrived to provide some<br />
serious supply headaches for<br />
the caravan, motorhome and<br />
camping industries. Despite<br />
these challenges, demand<br />
remains as high as ever, with<br />
the pandemic spike showing<br />
no signs of slowing. But<br />
all of this is just conjecture<br />
and estimation, what do the<br />
numbers say? Well, we did some<br />
digging for you to bring you a<br />
quick summary of the financial<br />
state of the industry via the first<br />
and second quarter reports of<br />
some of its biggest players.<br />
In Germany, one of the<br />
industry’s biggest players<br />
Knaus Tabbert, reported that<br />
the high demand for caravans<br />
and motorhomes remains after<br />
examining its figures for the first<br />
quarter of 2022. The company<br />
reported an order intake of<br />
6,000 units for the quarter as<br />
well as an increase of two per<br />
cent in units delivered to 7,247.<br />
However, the company’s order<br />
backlog also remained at a high<br />
level as of 31 March 2022 at an<br />
estimated 31,000 units <strong>–</strong> this<br />
was largely attributed to issues<br />
in the supply chain affecting the<br />
entire motorhome and caravan<br />
industry. While production of<br />
caravans increased by 45 per<br />
cent, production of higher-end<br />
motorhomes and vans declined<br />
by 33 per cent and 50 per cent<br />
respectively, despite strong<br />
demand due to anticipated<br />
chassis bottlenecks.<br />
24 | www.campingtradeworld.com
THE DETAIL Q1<br />
▲ Dometic has maintained strong profit margins so far in 2022.<br />
▲ VWCV managed to increase its operating profit significantly.<br />
Swedish headquartered<br />
industry giant Dometic brought<br />
some very strong numbers to<br />
the table with its first quarter<br />
results. The company reported<br />
a 55 per cent increase in net<br />
sales to an estimated US $742<br />
million. It also managed to<br />
maintain a very solid 14.8 per<br />
cent operating profit margin<br />
(EBITA) during that period.<br />
Dometic’s president and CEO,<br />
Juan Vargues, said: “Supported<br />
by an underlying strong end-user<br />
demand for Outdoor activities<br />
we are optimistic about the<br />
long-term trends in the Mobile<br />
Living industry. Our order<br />
backlog remains strong and retail<br />
inventory levels remain below<br />
historical levels across several<br />
vertical end markets. However,<br />
the current macroeconomic<br />
situation brings uncertainty,<br />
and it is difficult to predict how<br />
geopolitical developments and<br />
increased inflation will impact<br />
demand. While paying close<br />
attention to the short-term market<br />
development, we will continue to<br />
implement our strategic agenda to<br />
deliver on our targets.”<br />
Another positive result was<br />
seen by one of the motorhome<br />
and campervan industry’s most<br />
popular base vehicle manufactures<br />
Volkswagen Commercial<br />
Vehicles (VWCV). In a quarter<br />
the German firm says was<br />
dominated by challenges in<br />
production, the company saw its<br />
number of units shipped fall by<br />
14.5 per cent to 81,900, as well as<br />
a drop in turnover to €2.3 billion<br />
(previous year was €2.7 billion).<br />
Despite this, VWCV was actually<br />
able to significantly increase its<br />
operating profit to €46 million<br />
(a 61 per cent increase year-onyear).<br />
Michael Obrowski, brand<br />
management board member for<br />
finance and IT at VWCV, said:<br />
“Despite the reduced number of<br />
units shipped, we managed to<br />
significantly increase our profit.<br />
We are benefiting from stable<br />
prices in the markets, the high<br />
level of demand for our highquality<br />
California and still strong<br />
pre-owned vehicle trading. Our<br />
strict cost discipline has also<br />
played a key role in the positive<br />
development for our bottom line.”<br />
When it comes to taking a<br />
reading for the health of the<br />
industry, you could do worse than<br />
examining the financial results<br />
of the biggest producer of RVs<br />
in the world. That title belongs<br />
to THOR Industries, which has<br />
already released its second quarter<br />
figures, due to the way its fiscal<br />
year is structured. Its net sales for<br />
the period US $3.88 billion (a<br />
42 per cent increase compared to<br />
the same period in 2021) and a<br />
consolidated gross profit margin<br />
of 17.4 per cent. The company’s<br />
consolidated RV backlog as of<br />
31 January, 2022 was $17.73<br />
billion, an increase of over 60 per<br />
cent as compared to RV backlog<br />
as of 31 January, 2021. THOR<br />
president and CEO Bob Martin<br />
said: “As for the second fiscal<br />
quarter results, our performance<br />
was extremely strong, despite<br />
the continuation of supply chain<br />
challenges. Our results show the<br />
strong appeal of our products,<br />
the continued strong demand in<br />
our industry and the outstanding<br />
performance by our team<br />
members.”<br />
One of the United States’<br />
other major players, Winnebago<br />
Industries, is also onto its second<br />
quarters and reported revenues<br />
of US $1.2 billion, an increase<br />
of 39 per cent. Gross profit was<br />
$216.6 million, an increase of<br />
38.3 per cent compared to $156.6<br />
million for the fiscal 2021 period.<br />
President and CEO, Michael<br />
Happe, said, “Winnebago<br />
Industries delivered a strong<br />
second quarter performance,<br />
executing on sustained, elevated<br />
consumer demand for our<br />
expanded portfolio of premier<br />
outdoor lifestyle brands. Our<br />
second quarter performance and<br />
record sales results at recent RV<br />
and Marine trade shows further<br />
validate consumers’ embrace of<br />
the outdoor lifestyle. Winnebago<br />
Industries is capitalizing on<br />
that sustained demand <strong>–</strong> market<br />
share gains across our segments<br />
are evidence of deep affinity for<br />
our brands, which consumers<br />
recognize are differentiated due<br />
to our continued focus on quality,<br />
service, and innovation.”<br />
▲ Winnebago reported a 39 per cent revenue increase for Q2.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 25
JAPAN DOING BUSINESS WITH...<br />
DOING<br />
BUSINESS<br />
WITH...<br />
Photo: Takahiro Taguchi.(Unsplash)<br />
Japan<br />
It might not be the first nation that comes to mind, but Japan is definitely a camping<br />
country. It has a wide range of manufacturers, importers and exporters who are all keen<br />
to do business if you can find the right niche. Here’s our overview of the market.<br />
26 | www.campingtradeworld.com
DOING BUSINESS WITH... JAPAN<br />
FACT FILE<br />
▲ The Japanese public is gradually turning its attention towards camping for work and pleasure.<br />
J<br />
■apan is a country of great<br />
innovation combined<br />
with a proud history of<br />
manufacturing, which are traits<br />
that you can definitely see clearly<br />
when you examine the nation’s RV<br />
and camping market. The country<br />
has had a gradually growing and<br />
developing RV market that, like<br />
pretty much everywhere else on<br />
planet Earth, saw an influx of<br />
interest in light of international<br />
travel being restricted since the<br />
beginning of the pandemic in<br />
2020. It is estimated that the<br />
country sells somewhere between<br />
6,500 and 8,500 units per year<br />
with about half of the market<br />
share split between a handful<br />
of major suppliers, the rest<br />
belongs to smaller independent<br />
companies. These may seem like<br />
modest numbers when you think<br />
about Japan’s population and its<br />
standing as a major power in<br />
global economics but RVing has<br />
not always come naturally to the<br />
country. For starters, it is a very<br />
densely populated and urbancentric<br />
country with some of the<br />
best public transport networks<br />
on the planet. Many people<br />
don’t even own a car, let alone<br />
a caravan or motorhome, but<br />
this is gradually changing as the<br />
country becomes more interested<br />
in the hobby. These attributes of<br />
Japanese society also mean that<br />
the RV and camper infrastructure<br />
is not as highly developed as<br />
in many European countries,<br />
for example. That’s not to say<br />
Japanese campsites are poor <strong>–</strong> far<br />
from it <strong>–</strong> but there are not as<br />
many per person as a lot of other<br />
countries with similar camper<br />
levels. One final challenge that<br />
the RV industry faces in Japan is<br />
that in general it is a country of<br />
workaholics <strong>–</strong> people do not get<br />
very generous holiday allowances<br />
from their jobs and even when<br />
they do, they are often reluctant to<br />
take them.<br />
Despite all this, RVing is<br />
growing in Japan, but at a modest<br />
rate. Things are helped and<br />
encouraged by the Japan RV<br />
Association ( JRVA), which has<br />
more than 130 members and<br />
has been working to promote<br />
and improve the industry for<br />
more than 25 years. Many of<br />
the major manufacturers in<br />
Japan are not at the same levels<br />
of financial power compared to<br />
their counterparts in Europe or<br />
North America, but that’s not<br />
to say they are not growing, and<br />
the JRVA is helping with that.<br />
There is a strong programme of<br />
shows and exhibitions around the<br />
country, and the vibe at those over<br />
the last year has shown that the<br />
Japanese public are taking a much<br />
stronger interest in camping and<br />
caravanning than ever before.<br />
One thing that is a trend in<br />
Japan is that the RV market<br />
is very heavily slanted towards<br />
motorhomes and campervans.<br />
The towable market is very small,<br />
possibly due to the smaller nature<br />
of vehicles in Japan, or the highly<br />
urbanised environment previously<br />
mentioned. Nearly all of the big<br />
players are van or motorhome<br />
converters.<br />
In terms of tent camping, Japan<br />
is also strong in this area with<br />
several big-name brands that<br />
have transcended its own shores<br />
to become international players<br />
such as Snow Peak and Montbell.<br />
The reason for this is probably the<br />
attention to detail when it comes<br />
to design and quality with Japanese<br />
tents. They are often understated<br />
but have smart design features that<br />
make them very useable out in the<br />
field. They will also stand the test<br />
of time. With the example of Snow<br />
Peak, the brand has managed to<br />
strike a chord as a cult brand in<br />
countries such as the UK and USA<br />
thanks to its branding and Japanese<br />
appeal.<br />
Japan is a market that has<br />
potential to do business with,<br />
probably most likely as a supplier<br />
of parts or components. There are<br />
also one or two brands that could<br />
be imported from Japan, with the<br />
added benefit that most people<br />
around the world know and<br />
understand that made in Japan<br />
stands for high quality.<br />
Capital: Tokyo<br />
Population: 125,500,000<br />
Dialling code: +81<br />
Prime Minister:<br />
Fumio Kishida<br />
Official languages:<br />
Japanese<br />
Time zones: UTC+9<br />
Currency: Japanese yen<br />
Internet domain: .jp<br />
ECONOMY IN FOCUS<br />
$5.3 trillion<br />
GDP (USD)<br />
$42,900<br />
GPD per capita (USD)<br />
2.9%<br />
GDP growth<br />
3%<br />
unemployment<br />
TOP IMPORT PARTNERS:<br />
China<br />
ASEAN<br />
European Union<br />
USA<br />
Australia<br />
TOP EXPORT PARTNERS:<br />
China<br />
USA<br />
ASEAN<br />
European Union<br />
South Korea<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 27
JAPAN DOING BUSINESS WITH...<br />
ECONOMY IN FOCUS<br />
Japan is one of the most<br />
significant and influential<br />
economies in Asia <strong>–</strong> similar<br />
to the UK in Europe, Japan<br />
punches well above its<br />
weight when you consider<br />
the geographical size of the<br />
country. Since the 1960’s, the<br />
country’s economy has been<br />
on a steady growth curve,<br />
though not without hurdles<br />
such as a stock exchange<br />
crash in the early 90’s. In<br />
recent decades, GDP growth<br />
in Japan has managed to<br />
outstrip Europe and the<br />
United States, which is no<br />
mean feat. The country is<br />
well known for its strong<br />
manufacturing sector, which<br />
has some serious clout in<br />
the automotive industry.<br />
Anything made in Japan<br />
is considered to be of high<br />
quality and many Japanesemade<br />
brands are household<br />
names around the world.<br />
Outside of manufacturing<br />
and Japan has a very<br />
strong fishing industry<br />
<strong>–</strong> consistently ranking in the<br />
top ten for tonnage of fish<br />
caught worldwide.<br />
Elsewhere and Japan’s<br />
finance and service<br />
industries are also very<br />
strong. The Tokyo stock<br />
exchange is the third<br />
largest in the world and<br />
the country was making a<br />
concerted effort to attract<br />
more tourism to its shores in<br />
the years leading up to the<br />
COVID-19 pandemic.<br />
WHO’S WHO<br />
The industry in Japan is pretty different to that in Europe or in the United States. The base vehicles are very<br />
different and, as such, the motorhome and campervan conversions are pretty different too. This makes it<br />
imperative that you take some time to familiarise yourself with the companies that occupy the industry in Japan.<br />
There are many unfamiliar names, but certainly no lack of enthusiasm, expertise or innovation.<br />
JAPAN RV ASSOCIATION<br />
The JRVA is a voluntary organisation set up to help look after the interests of the recreational<br />
vehicle industry in Japan. The organisation has many members across the entire country<br />
and works at a government level to help improve and boost the industry. It produces a<br />
regular magazine and also organises a large number of shows and exhibitions throughout<br />
the year. It also maintains statistics and facts about the camping industry.<br />
www.jrva.com<br />
VANTECH<br />
One of Japan’s forerunners in terms of campervan and motorhome building, Vantech was<br />
established back in 2010 in Tokorozawa City and has gone from strength to strength ever<br />
since. The company creates a wide range of models of motorhome, mostly based on Toyota<br />
vehicles and is an ever-present at the country’s various shows and events.<br />
www.vantech.jp<br />
SEKISOH BODY<br />
This famous company claims to have produced one of the first ever Toyota Hiace truck-based<br />
cab conversion motorhomes in Japan back in 1986. The company itself actually dates back<br />
to 1974 though and is now known as one of the most modern and stylish campervan and<br />
motorhome producers in the country. It actively works together with its customers on the<br />
development, manufacture and technological aspects of each camper.<br />
www.sekisohbody.com<br />
28 | www.campingtradeworld.com
DOING BUSINESS WITH... JAPAN<br />
CRAFT<br />
One of Japan’s best-known import companies, Craft has a long history of more than 30 years<br />
of importing RVs and motorhomes from both the United States and Europe and selling<br />
them to Japanese consumers. As well as selling brands including Adria< Sun Living and<br />
Annex, the company also has a maintenance and servicing department to help owners have<br />
long and happy experiences with their leisure vehicles.<br />
www.rv-craft.co.jp<br />
MYSTIC PLANNING<br />
A manufacturer of campervans and other leisure vehicles for some 30 years, Mystic Planning<br />
has a focus on safety, high-quality and creating vehicles for life. The company has previously<br />
won several Good Design Awards for its campers and trailer tents and adopts manufacturing<br />
methods that specialise in reducing overall weight. The company believes this has helped it<br />
catch the eye of campers around Japan throughout its history.<br />
www.mystic.ne.jp<br />
SNOW PEAK<br />
Snow Peak is one of the leading tent camping companies in Japan <strong>–</strong> it has also become a<br />
brand that is gaining recognition on a global stage with subsidiary companies in both the UK<br />
and United States. The company focuses on high-quality and high-fashion and makes tents<br />
and camping furniture and accessories accordingly. Located up in the hills near to Awagatake<br />
and Mount Sumon, the country places huge emphasis on remaining close to nature.<br />
www.snowpeak.co.jp<br />
MONTBELL<br />
Established in Osaka in 1975 by Isamu Tatsuno, this is a brand that came from the love of a<br />
mountaineer. The company is known all over the world for its high-quality tents, outdoor<br />
clothing and other mountaineering equipment and has bases in North America and Europe.<br />
The company has long held a passion to protect and preserve the natural beauty of Japan<br />
and the rest of the world and now has an eco-focus to help reflect that.<br />
www.montbell.jp<br />
SHOW BUSINESS<br />
Japan is a country with<br />
a staggering number of<br />
shows and exhibitions<br />
dedicated to camping and<br />
leisure vehicles. Most of<br />
these shows are organised<br />
by the Japan Recreational<br />
Vehicle Association (JRVA),<br />
with the biggest one being<br />
the Japan <strong>Camping</strong> Car<br />
Show that takes place in<br />
Chiba City in February each<br />
year. This event attracted<br />
24,000 visitors in its most<br />
recent edition, who came<br />
to witness more than<br />
280 campervans from 66<br />
different brands, as well as<br />
assorted accessories.<br />
Aside from this main<br />
show, there are events in<br />
Nagoya, Osaka, Tohoku,<br />
Hokkaido, Kanagawa,<br />
Hiroshima, Tokyo,<br />
Yokohama and more<br />
throughout the year. By<br />
visiting www.jrva.com/en/<br />
event you should be able<br />
to find a complete list of<br />
Japanese camping industry<br />
shows throughout the<br />
calendar year.<br />
Pic below: ©JRVA<br />
LOCUS GEAR<br />
Another high quality tent brand, Locus Gear specialises in outdoor shelters that offer<br />
lightweight, durable and easy to carry solutions. The company works only with high-quality<br />
and technical materials such as Dyneema, carbon poles and super-fine mesh. The company<br />
has long been regarded as a trailblazer in the Japanese camping industry and is also sold<br />
elsewhere in the world.<br />
www.locusgear.com<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 29
JAPAN DOING BUSINESS WITH...<br />
A BIG CAMPING COUNTRY<br />
JAPAN MARKET STATS<br />
130+<br />
Members of the JRVA<br />
Photo: Shawn Liew (Unsplash)<br />
8,000+<br />
RVs registered in Japan<br />
each year<br />
90+<br />
Companies offering RV<br />
rental in Japan<br />
>1,000<br />
RVs are imported into<br />
Japan per year<br />
The rental market is one area where there is<br />
significant growth in Japan’s RV sector, which<br />
is another sign that more people are testing<br />
the waters with the hobby. The JRVA lists<br />
almost 90 different companies and locations<br />
that RVs can be rented from, which in a<br />
relatively small country geographically is<br />
quite a lot. As well as renting vehicles, many<br />
of these companies rent generic camping gear<br />
such as tents, awnings, furniture and tarps<br />
to help make the camping experience more<br />
enjoyable for all.<br />
Another thing that the JRVA does is help to<br />
educate new campers about the etiquette that<br />
is required to be a responsible camper in the<br />
country. The organisation has even produced<br />
a list of 10 rules to help campers camp more<br />
responsibly and reduce the risk of upsetting<br />
local people or harming the environment. It is<br />
clear that Japan is a nation that is intrigued by<br />
camping and that more and more people will<br />
be drawn to the hobby as the years progress.<br />
US$ 400m+<br />
Estimated total sales in<br />
Japan’s RV market per year<br />
30 | www.campingtradeworld.com
DOING BUSINESS WITH... JAPAN<br />
Photo: Tiplada M (Unsplash)<br />
▲ Many campervans and campers in Japan are built on small and versatile vans such as the reliable Toyota Hiace.<br />
CAMPERVAN IS KING<br />
The campervan is without<br />
doubt the most popular kind<br />
of camping vehicle in Japan,<br />
with small vans such as the<br />
Toyota Hiace as popular as<br />
vans such as the VW T6 are<br />
in Europe. The Japan RV<br />
Association recently conducted<br />
a survey to find out more<br />
about this market segment and<br />
where it is headed for 2022<br />
and beyond. They discovered<br />
that the most common age<br />
for campervan owners was<br />
50s and 60s and of the people<br />
surveyed about 79 per cent<br />
owned a camper, while 86 per<br />
cent said they had used one.<br />
The most common usage was<br />
of course for leisure, but with<br />
this being the workaholic<br />
country that is Japan, about 15<br />
per cent said they used them<br />
for commuting or for a place<br />
to have a break in when at<br />
work. Interestingly, those who<br />
do use them for work say they<br />
use them mostly as a way to<br />
have accommodation when on<br />
work trips. The most common<br />
reason for using a campervan<br />
was to stay overnight at<br />
popular tourist spots or<br />
destination, while the second<br />
most common reason was<br />
simply to enjoy the pleasure of<br />
being outdoors in nature. One<br />
of the most popular benefits<br />
for having a campervan<br />
according to Japanese users<br />
was the freedom to be mobile,<br />
closely followed by the idea<br />
of having private space while<br />
travelling. Japanese campervan<br />
owners expect much the same<br />
things as those in Europe, with<br />
electricity, water systems, air<br />
conditioning and comfortable<br />
sleeping quarters the most<br />
important attributes to them.<br />
The most common length of<br />
ideal time spent in a campervan<br />
is a week or more and the most<br />
desired location to visit in Japan<br />
is Hokkaido. Most commonly,<br />
campervans are used by couples,<br />
and when pushed on their most<br />
desired international location to<br />
try campervan or RVing, North<br />
America came out on top.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 31
SCALABROS COMPANY PROFILE<br />
Adversity into opportunity:<br />
the Scalabros story<br />
With a background in producing high-quality products for buses and coaches, Italian<br />
firm Scalabros is now showing what it can do for the RV market with roller blinds,<br />
sun visors and more. Could this customer-focused firm become your next supplier?<br />
A<br />
■fter working for<br />
several years as export<br />
sales managers in the<br />
commercial and industrial<br />
vehicle markets, brothers<br />
Benedetto and Giovanni<br />
Scalabrini (pictured, right)<br />
decided they wanted to set-up<br />
on their own. They founded<br />
Scalabros as a representation<br />
company in 20<strong>08</strong>… just as the<br />
financial crisis struck.<br />
“We say that we are a<br />
company born during a crisis<br />
and we kept growing through<br />
32 | www.campingtradeworld.com<br />
several other crises,” explains<br />
Benedetto. After the financial<br />
crash of 20<strong>08</strong>, Scalabros decided<br />
to begin manufacturing its<br />
own rollerblinds and escape<br />
roof-hatches, sun-visors and<br />
led-lighting, just in time for the<br />
European sovereign debt crisis<br />
of 2012. Despite these hurdles,<br />
and the more recent ones such<br />
as the Covid-19 pandemic and<br />
the war in Ukraine, Scalabros<br />
has continued to grow at a pace<br />
of 15 to 20 per cent per year.<br />
Benedetto says: “Even in<br />
2020 when our usual business<br />
(very much linked to tourism)<br />
dropped by 50 per cent, we<br />
managed to end the year with<br />
a 50 per cent up thanks to<br />
our flexibility: in fact we were<br />
extremely quick in adapting our<br />
machinery into face-masks and<br />
hospital gowns production. 2021<br />
was probably the most difficult<br />
year because coach production<br />
hadn’t picked up yet and the<br />
business of the face-masks and<br />
gowns had gone already.” In<br />
2022, it’s so far so good for the
COMPANY PROFILE SCALABROS<br />
Italian entrepreneurs <strong>–</strong> they<br />
have seem their sales levels<br />
return to similar figures in<br />
that of the first third of 2019.<br />
When all your business has<br />
ever known is a world in crisis,<br />
it pays to have strong values.<br />
Benedetto explains: “Our values<br />
are: Customers orientation: we<br />
think that to be successful we<br />
need to sell to the customers<br />
what they need, not what we<br />
have. So we are very flexible and<br />
willing to take the challenges<br />
the customers’ require. Quality<br />
of course is very important, so<br />
since 2015 we are ISO certified.<br />
Flexibility is a must, and we<br />
try to get it through a good<br />
organisation. We also believe<br />
that we can’t be successful<br />
without our team, so we try<br />
to give the best attention and<br />
satisfaction we can to our staff.”<br />
Scalabros has slowly started<br />
to grab the attention in the<br />
RV market with smart and<br />
innovative products to go<br />
alongside this flexibility. Its<br />
roller blinds have been wellreceived,<br />
as have its awnings and<br />
other RV components.<br />
BEST IS YET TO COME<br />
On the subject of the future,<br />
Benedetto has high hopes.<br />
“We believe that our biggest<br />
success is probably yet to come<br />
but it could be thanks to the<br />
incorporation of our North<br />
American branch in 2020. In<br />
fact, due to the Covid situation,<br />
we only started its real activities<br />
in August 2021, and we see<br />
great potential coming from<br />
there, especially from the luxury<br />
RVs.” The company has solid<br />
plans to increase the sales of its<br />
van manual roller awning and<br />
hopes to soon develop models<br />
for higher vans such as the Fiat<br />
Ducato, Mercedes Sprinter and<br />
Ram Promaster <strong>–</strong> it also plans<br />
to create a motorised one for<br />
bigger vehicles, which again<br />
are largely found in the North<br />
American market.<br />
Benedetto explains that<br />
Scalabros will definitely be<br />
exhibiting at Caravan Salon<br />
once again in Dusseldorf,<br />
Germany this summer as it<br />
believes that it gained good<br />
traction there last year. He said:<br />
“We think that there are a lot<br />
of Motorhome manufactures<br />
who may be interested in our<br />
rollerblinds, and van converters<br />
who may appreciate - as they<br />
did last year - our rolling<br />
awning. This is an awning that<br />
one person alone can open<br />
and close quickly thanks to its<br />
retracting system, it’s compact<br />
and quite good looking. Last<br />
year we had just the 180cm<br />
and 200cm sizes, this year we<br />
developed also the 250cm. We’ll<br />
also bring a new version of our<br />
self-sticking darkening cloth,<br />
which has no Alcantara, so it’s<br />
cheaper and lighter, and whereas<br />
last year we were proposing<br />
it just in rolls and customers<br />
had to cut to the shape of their<br />
vehicles, this year we developed<br />
the pre-cut sets for the VWT6<br />
and the Ford Transit.”<br />
Due to its history, its ethics,<br />
and its family-run set-up,<br />
Scalabros is a company that is a<br />
pleasure to work with in the RV<br />
industry. As Benedetto puts it:<br />
“[People should want to work<br />
with us] thanks to our flexibility<br />
and reliability. We are born as<br />
a commercial company, so the<br />
customers are our kings, who<br />
wouldn’t like to be treated as a<br />
king?”<br />
WHO ARE YOU?<br />
Company: Scalabros S.r.l.<br />
Location: Bazzano, Italy<br />
Products: Scalabros is an<br />
expert in cab sunshades,<br />
roll-up blinds, selfsupporting<br />
shades, rolling<br />
awnings and free-standing<br />
awnings for a wide range<br />
of RV base vehciles such<br />
as Fiat Ducatos and<br />
Volkswagen T5s and T6s.<br />
Other: The company has a<br />
history of making highquality<br />
products for the bus<br />
and coach market too, but<br />
the RV industry is becoming<br />
increasingly important.<br />
▲ Scalabros has a hard-working, dedicated and professional team ready to help your company.<br />
+39 051 832587<br />
info@scalabros.it<br />
www.scalabros.it<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 33
ELECTRIC FUTURE SUPERSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL<br />
A better journey into<br />
the electric future<br />
Retrofitting existing vehicles to make them electric is an idea that sounds too good<br />
to be true. And it almost was had it not been for a pioneering partnership between<br />
two very innovative companies. Here’s how Lightning eMotors and SuperSprings<br />
International work together to make the journey better.<br />
W<br />
■e all know that electric<br />
vehicles are a huge part<br />
of the future for the<br />
campervan and leisure vehicle<br />
industry, but while many of the<br />
big manufacturers out there<br />
are working hard to create<br />
new space-age vehicle designs,<br />
there are others who take a<br />
different view. Colorado-based<br />
Lightning eMotors began its<br />
mission by asking itself: “what<br />
will happen with the multitude<br />
of vehicles already on the road<br />
now?”. The simple answer?<br />
They can be retrofitted. For the<br />
past few years, Lightning has<br />
been creating fully electrified<br />
engines that they then drop<br />
into what would otherwise be<br />
a traditionally powered vehicle.<br />
They can turn any cargo van,<br />
shuttle bus or campervan into<br />
a silent, electric vehicle that’s<br />
nothing like the ones you’ve<br />
seen before, simply because it<br />
looks like a regular vehicle.<br />
“We’ve been doing electric<br />
vehicle refits on a huge variety<br />
of chassis,” explains Chelsea<br />
Ramm, the vice president of<br />
global supply chain at Lightning<br />
eMotors. We’ve also been doing<br />
it for so many years that we<br />
can do it on an old chassis, a<br />
2016 vehicle, or a vehicle that<br />
was built this year <strong>–</strong> we have<br />
the engineering capability and<br />
expertise to be able to do that.”<br />
Okay, so the idea of<br />
retrofitting a vehicle to change<br />
it from standard combustion<br />
engine to electric might<br />
sound like the stuff of science<br />
fiction, but Lightning has<br />
the case studies to prove it<br />
really works. The company has<br />
completed a successful retrofit<br />
on an entire DHL delivery<br />
fleet in New York city using<br />
a full system that includes<br />
batteries, powertrain, and smart<br />
computer for the Ford Transit<br />
350HD. The all-electric<br />
powertrain and integration<br />
allows DHL to operate a fleet<br />
34 | www.campingtradeworld.com
SUPERSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL ELECTRIC FUTURE<br />
of cargo vans throughout the<br />
metropolis without creating any<br />
emissions or stopping for fuel.<br />
What’s more, by fine-tuning<br />
the exact needs for DHL,<br />
Lightning has been able to<br />
create the fleet while only using<br />
one battery per vehicle. Less<br />
weight, higher efficiency, and<br />
plenty of driving range for the<br />
task at hand.<br />
Chelsea says: “We have<br />
been working really hard to<br />
figure out how to make these<br />
vehicle for DHL <strong>–</strong> it’s a unique<br />
platform and not something we<br />
make for anyone else. We do a<br />
lot of things that other people<br />
aren’t willing to tackle <strong>–</strong> but<br />
we’ve never backed away from a<br />
challenge and that’s what gives<br />
us an edge.”<br />
One of the most significant<br />
challenges that Lightning faced<br />
with this job was weight. The<br />
kind of batteries required to<br />
power Ford Transits are not just<br />
AAs, they are pretty large and<br />
also pretty heavy <strong>–</strong> and that is<br />
going to affect the ride height<br />
and the quality of the ride.<br />
If Lightning had overlooked<br />
this, then they probably would<br />
not have been as successful as<br />
they have. So, how did they<br />
overcome the problem? They<br />
teamed up with SuperSprings<br />
International. With the DHL<br />
fleet, the batteries had to be<br />
located at the rear, which was<br />
causing significant rear-end sag<br />
on the vehicles.<br />
Lightning eMotors<br />
marketing manager Dan<br />
Bennett explains: “We looked<br />
at the van and saw that the<br />
back was sagging so much that<br />
it would be compromised in<br />
its performance. One of our<br />
senior technicians had some<br />
prior experience with the<br />
steel SuperSprings suspension<br />
solution and didn’t skip a beat<br />
in recommending that they be<br />
added to address the issue.<br />
“So, we selected a product,<br />
brought it in, and that’s<br />
what we’re using. Adding<br />
SuperSprings is the obvious<br />
solution <strong>–</strong> it’s easy to install<br />
and you’re good to go!”<br />
As well as cutting out that<br />
sag and driving performance,<br />
SuperSprings International<br />
products also eradicate<br />
problems with diminished<br />
battery range <strong>–</strong> in short they<br />
are the perfect solution to<br />
help make the journey better<br />
for electric vehicles, as well as<br />
traditional ones too.<br />
SuperSprings International<br />
marketing director Tom<br />
Bateman said: “What is going<br />
to increase the advantage<br />
that Lightning has is that<br />
the Ford Transit chassis has<br />
no signs of leaving the road<br />
anytime soon. In fact, it’s<br />
quickly becoming one of the<br />
most difficult vehicles to get a<br />
hold of. Likely because it’s the<br />
arguably the perfect cargo van,<br />
passenger bus, and conversionready<br />
Vanlife vehicle. As the<br />
world moves toward electricpowered<br />
chassis, Lightning has<br />
positioned themselves to be at<br />
the front of the pack.<br />
“Lightning eMotors has a<br />
passion to make their retrofit<br />
vehicles the best they can<br />
possibly be. It just so happens<br />
we make journeys better. There<br />
isn’t a better fit.”<br />
So, there you have it. In<br />
perhaps the most challenging<br />
way it possibly could,<br />
SuperSprings International has<br />
once again proved its products<br />
perform beyond all expectations<br />
thanks to this partnership with<br />
Lightning eMotors. Could your<br />
plans for an electric campervan<br />
or motorhome be the next to<br />
benefit? Contact the team at<br />
www.superspringsinternational.<br />
com today to find out.<br />
▲ Lightning eMotors has used SuperSprings International products to help make its retrofitted electric Transits a dream to drive.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 35
BACK ISSUES<br />
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C O N N E C T I N G T H E G L O B A L C A M P I N G I N D U S T R Y<br />
C O N N E C T I N G T H E G L O B A L C A M P I N G I N D U S T R Y<br />
C O N N E C T I N G T H E G L O B A L C A M P I N G I N D U S T R Y<br />
C O N N E C T I N G T H E G L O B A L C A M P I N G I N D U S T R Y<br />
ISSUE 01 | CAMPINGTRADEWORLD.COM<br />
ISSUE 02 | CAMPINGTRADEWORLD.COM<br />
ISSUE 03 | CAMPINGTRADEWORLD.COM<br />
ISSUE 04 | CAMPINGTRADEWORLD.COM<br />
SumoSprings: The new<br />
RV suspension standard<br />
Clean and green<br />
Natural toilet fluid for your camper<br />
Read more on page 38<br />
» Learn more on page 24<br />
»<br />
ISSUE 01<br />
ISSUE 02<br />
ISSUE 03<br />
ISSUE 04<br />
• What can we learn from<br />
the German leisure vehicle<br />
industry?<br />
• New camper retention: are<br />
we doing enough as an<br />
industry ?<br />
• A full profile on the<br />
camping market in New<br />
Zealand<br />
• A round-up of what was<br />
hot at the CMT Digital show<br />
• Exclusive interviews with<br />
SuperSprings International<br />
and OLPRO<br />
• Korean and Chinese shows<br />
lead the way in booming<br />
Asian market<br />
• Doing Business With<br />
Germany <strong>–</strong> expert insight<br />
from industry insiders<br />
• Spotlight on the global<br />
tent market to help your<br />
business grow<br />
• Are we doing enough to<br />
be green? One Belgian<br />
company believes we can<br />
do more<br />
• Why a partnership<br />
between SuperSprings<br />
International and United<br />
RV is huge for the industry<br />
• Full reports from two<br />
UK shows <strong>–</strong> the National<br />
<strong>Camping</strong> Show and<br />
Outdoor <strong>Trade</strong> Show<br />
• Heading to Caravan Salon?<br />
Read our show preview<br />
before you make the trip<br />
• Doing Business with the<br />
UK <strong>–</strong> expert insight into<br />
one of Europe’s major<br />
markets<br />
• Get the lowdown on the<br />
global motorhome market<br />
and the latest trends<br />
within it<br />
• Exclusive interviews with<br />
industry leaders from<br />
camping, caravanning and<br />
RVs<br />
• A huge 12-page wrap-up<br />
of Caravan Salon 2021<br />
• How to make new<br />
connections in France<br />
• A close-up examination of<br />
the global caravan market<br />
• Why your company’s<br />
culture is key and how to<br />
improve it<br />
• <strong>Camping</strong> industry buying<br />
trends revealed in UK<br />
• How a change in the law<br />
could affect European<br />
campsites<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com/magazine<br />
36 | www.campingtradeworld.com
BACK ISSUES<br />
C OC NO N EN CE TC IT NI NG G T THHE E G LLO B A L C A M P II N G I INNDDU US ST TR RY<br />
Y<br />
C O N N E C T I N G T H E G L O B A L C A M P I N G I N D U S T R Y<br />
C OC NO N EN CE TC IT NI NG G T THHE E G LLO B A L C A M P II N G I INNDDU US ST TR RY<br />
Y<br />
ISSUE ISSUE 05 05 | CAMPINGTRADEWORLD.COM<br />
| ISSUE 06 | CAMPINGTRADEWORLD.COM<br />
ISSUE ISSUE 07 07 | CAMPINGTRADEWORLD.COM<br />
| JUST HOW TOUGH ARE<br />
SUPERSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL PUT<br />
THEIR SUSPENSION TO THE ULTIMATE TEST.<br />
SuperSprings<br />
I NTE RNATIONAL<br />
See more on page 34<br />
ISSUE 05<br />
• A 2021 health check on the<br />
industry<br />
• A preview of the CMT<br />
Show in Stuttgart<br />
• How to make new<br />
connections in the<br />
Swedish market<br />
• How and why you should<br />
be making better videos<br />
• Reports from leading<br />
exhibitions in Utrecht and<br />
Barcelona<br />
• Industry views with<br />
Benjamin Baur<br />
• Spotlight on the camping<br />
accessories market<br />
• How you can boost your<br />
diversity and why you<br />
should<br />
ISSUE 06<br />
• Scandinavian companies<br />
show power of teamwork<br />
• Inside the tent fabric tech<br />
arms race<br />
• A success in Leipzig:<br />
Touristik & Caravaning<br />
report<br />
• How to do business with<br />
the Australian market<br />
• Celebrating AL-KO’s 90th<br />
anniversary<br />
• How LIONTRON could<br />
help boost your sales<br />
• Exclusive interview<br />
with Caravan Industry<br />
Association of Australia’s<br />
Stuart Lamont<br />
• We demystify SEO and<br />
teach you how to use it<br />
ISSUE 07<br />
• Learn more about the<br />
camping and RV market<br />
in Italy<br />
• Sleeping mat expert<br />
Therm-A-Rest celebrates a<br />
big anniversary<br />
• SuperSprings International<br />
shows how to do product<br />
testing<br />
• Exclusive interview with<br />
Thetford marketing<br />
manager Norbert van<br />
Noesel<br />
• A closer look at the RV and<br />
leisure vehicle components<br />
market<br />
• How German brand<br />
PeggyPeg is bringing<br />
simple innovation to the<br />
global camping market<br />
• Do branding better, with<br />
our latest Become a Better<br />
Business feature<br />
Don’t miss a future issue of <strong>Camping</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong>, by subscribing today to have it delivered straight to your inbox six<br />
times a year. If you want to be featured in an upcoming issue, contact us at campingtradeworld.com/contact-us<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 37
MARKUS HERINGER INDUSTRY VIEWS<br />
Markus Heringer<br />
Managing Director Commercial at Truma Gerätetechnik GmbH & Co. KG<br />
As one of the most instantly recognisable names in the camping and leisure<br />
vehicle industry, Truma has a large sphere of influence. The company’s commercial<br />
managing director Markus Heringer explains how it plans to achieve its aim of<br />
making camping safer and more comfortable with continuous innovations.<br />
T<br />
■ruma is synonymous with<br />
innovations in the camping<br />
and leisure vehicle market.<br />
From air conditioning and heating<br />
through to its all-encompassing iNet<br />
System that helps users control almost<br />
every aspect of their leisure vehicle<br />
with ease, Truma has created a solid<br />
reputation for itself as an innovator<br />
and a creative problem solver. So how<br />
did the company get here? What are its<br />
aims for the future? How do its values<br />
affect how it goes about its business? To<br />
find the answers to these questions and<br />
more, we spoke candidly with Markus<br />
Heringer, commercial managing director<br />
at Truma Gerätetechnik GmbH & Co.<br />
KG. Markus explained why family is<br />
so important to the company, how it<br />
leans on 73 years of history, and why<br />
innovation is in its DNA.<br />
38 | www.campingtradeworld.com
INDUSTRY VIEWS MARKUS HERINGER<br />
Photos: © Truma<br />
▲ Truma’s products aim to seamlessly fit into every camping lifestyle and make it more comfortable and safer.<br />
Can you tell us something about<br />
the ethos at Truma? What are the<br />
values of the company?<br />
Truma was founded over 73<br />
years ago as a family business,<br />
which specialised in providing<br />
an unforgettable camping<br />
experience, thanks to its<br />
endless innovations. This<br />
DNA is still at the heart of<br />
our company today and we are<br />
constantly growing based on<br />
an abundance of <strong>–</strong> sometimes<br />
revolutionary inventions <strong>–</strong><br />
which have played their part in<br />
making Truma what it is today:<br />
an international consortium<br />
of progressive companies in<br />
Germany, the UK, the USA,<br />
China, Sweden, Italy and<br />
Australia, which pursue the<br />
goal of making travelling in<br />
recreational vehicles safer and<br />
more comfortable. We are<br />
always keeping the company’s<br />
values in mind, in every step<br />
we take: the first is competence<br />
<strong>–</strong> Truma has developed many<br />
innovations, thus setting new<br />
standards <strong>–</strong> for example the<br />
first liquid gas heater and the<br />
first manoeuvring assistant for<br />
caravans. Most recently, we<br />
have played our role in shaping<br />
the future of caravanning with<br />
the Truma iNet X System:<br />
various products and services<br />
from different manufacturers<br />
can be centrally controlled via a<br />
single control panel or app.<br />
Next is product quality<br />
<strong>–</strong> Truma counts on state-ofthe-art<br />
production facilities<br />
and manufactures products,<br />
which are among the most<br />
effective on the market <strong>–</strong> as<br />
they are highly reliable, durable<br />
and extremely efficient. This<br />
explains why the trade press<br />
regularly rates Truma as the<br />
best accessory brand in various<br />
product categories.<br />
Another important value<br />
is service quality <strong>–</strong> no matter<br />
whether you contact the help<br />
line or the Service Centre in<br />
Putzbrunn: all service staff<br />
are able to put themselves<br />
in the customer’s shoes and<br />
provide them with competent<br />
assistance. Truma service<br />
technicians with their service<br />
vehicles, travelling throughout<br />
Germany guarantee fast on-site<br />
help. We also have an extensive<br />
network of Service Partners. It<br />
is not just our end customers,<br />
who benefit from our swift,<br />
outstanding service, but our<br />
Partners too and we are proud<br />
to have received awards on a<br />
regular basis <strong>–</strong> most recently<br />
the LUPO 2021.<br />
We also place emphasis<br />
on customer proximity <strong>–</strong><br />
wherever the customer may<br />
be: an extensive sales network<br />
of specialist dealerships and<br />
Service Partners ensures that<br />
customers receive professional<br />
advice and can obtain spare<br />
parts, retrofit products and<br />
practical accessories regardless<br />
of their location. In more than<br />
30 countries.<br />
Another key value is family<br />
<strong>–</strong> we consider ourselves as a<br />
company which forms part of<br />
the camping community. We<br />
always develop our products<br />
and services in line with the<br />
demands and needs of our<br />
global “family”. A friendly and<br />
informal working atmosphere<br />
and a social company culture<br />
are very important within<br />
the company to Truma. This<br />
produces a strong feeling of<br />
identification among all of our<br />
employees <strong>–</strong> in production and<br />
in administration.<br />
Lastly, there’s sustainability<br />
<strong>–</strong> immersed in nature outdoors<br />
is what camping is all about.<br />
As such, it is particularly<br />
important to the community<br />
and the company to develop<br />
products and solutions which<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 39
MARKUS HERINGER INDUSTRY VIEWS<br />
▲ The iNet X System is one of Truma’s most recent innovations <strong>–</strong> Markus says it will help shape the future of caravanning.<br />
“Truma’s objective is to make camping safer and more comfortable<br />
with continuous innovations.”<br />
MARKUS HERINGER <strong>–</strong> MANAGING DIRECTOR COMMERCIAL AT TRUMA GERÄTETECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG<br />
are sustainable and durable.<br />
Within the scope of our<br />
own certified energy and<br />
environmental management<br />
system, we have set a goal<br />
of significantly reducing our<br />
emissions by 2026 as well as<br />
producing a large proportion of<br />
our own energy requirements<br />
locally in a climate-friendly<br />
manner by means of<br />
photovoltaics, among other<br />
sources.<br />
How have things fared at Truma<br />
over the past two years? What<br />
challenges did you face during<br />
the pandemic and how did you<br />
overcome them?<br />
The pandemic and its impact<br />
caused us to reconsider how<br />
both our work and home<br />
lives operate. This was of<br />
course tricky to begin with.<br />
Nevertheless, new ideas provide<br />
new momentum and new<br />
impetus. Due to restrictions<br />
placed on package tourism,<br />
lots of people decided to<br />
give camping a go and the<br />
industry flourished. Over<br />
the past two years, we have<br />
witnessed plenty of changes<br />
internally, predominantly in<br />
terms of digitalisation and<br />
internationalisation.<br />
What are the greatest<br />
opportunities for the camping<br />
and recreational vehicle market<br />
right now?<br />
I believe the greatest<br />
opportunity and at the same<br />
time the greatest challenge is<br />
in the technological change we<br />
are currently undergoing, which<br />
the sector is currently involved<br />
in and will continue to focus<br />
on for years to come. Indeed,<br />
recreational vehicles of the<br />
future will be fully connected,<br />
for instance. This development<br />
to create a smart RV and<br />
new technologies naturally<br />
means that things will need<br />
to change. On the other hand,<br />
they provide a starting point<br />
for further innovative products<br />
and solutions <strong>–</strong> in particular the<br />
increasing trend of individual<br />
trips and the associated growth<br />
of the market.<br />
Do you think that the current<br />
boom in the camping industry<br />
will continue? How can we as an<br />
industry ensure that it continues?<br />
In future, the world will<br />
become even more digital<br />
and fast-moving. With this<br />
in mind, people will long for<br />
independence, freedom, the<br />
natural world and individual<br />
breaks more than ever.<br />
Considerably fewer long-haul<br />
journeys will take place due<br />
to the climate crisis. This<br />
40 | www.campingtradeworld.com
INDUSTRY VIEWS MARKUS HERINGER<br />
Photos: © Truma<br />
WHO ARE YOU?<br />
▲ Markus believes that consumers will continue to long for the freedom that camping provides.<br />
is music to our industry’s<br />
ears. Provided we face the<br />
challenges associated with<br />
the technological change<br />
and convert them into<br />
opportunities, as well as think<br />
and act with the future in mind,<br />
then the industry certainly has<br />
the potential to grow.<br />
What is the most important<br />
product category for Truma and<br />
why? Has this changed? Do<br />
you envisage it changing in the<br />
future?<br />
Truma’s objective is to<br />
make camping safer and<br />
more comfortable with<br />
continuous innovations. This<br />
is the basis for all our products<br />
from heating systems, air<br />
conditioning systems and<br />
manoeuvring systems, to<br />
water or gas supply, through<br />
to the new Truma iNet X. We<br />
consider ourselves not just as<br />
a mere device manufacturer<br />
but rather as a systems and<br />
solutions provider. Indeed, the<br />
new Truma iNet X controls the<br />
devices installed in the vehicle<br />
via a central control panel or<br />
app and in doing so connects<br />
the entire system. The open<br />
interface also enables new<br />
products and systems to be<br />
subsequently connected as well<br />
as regular updates via the cloud.<br />
This means it can be flexibly<br />
adjusted to the individual<br />
future of caravanning. We are<br />
continuously extending our<br />
product range and designing<br />
sustainable and thus futureproof<br />
solutions.<br />
How important is the trend of<br />
the environment/sustainability<br />
for Truma and the industry as a<br />
whole?<br />
Caravanning and a passion<br />
for nature belong together.<br />
Environmentally conscious,<br />
sustainable action is also<br />
becoming increasingly<br />
important. We are certified<br />
in energy and environmental<br />
management and don’t take<br />
our responsibility lightly.<br />
Where possible, we use<br />
alternative energy sources in<br />
the production process and<br />
have set a goal of low emission<br />
manufacturing.<br />
What are the future plans for<br />
the company? Let us know what<br />
we can look forward to.<br />
At Truma, innovation has been,<br />
is and will continue to be a<br />
vital part of our DNA. In close<br />
communication with customers<br />
and partners, we are striving<br />
to continue this process, to<br />
set international standards<br />
and be at the head of our field<br />
as a connected solutions and<br />
systems provider.<br />
Company: Truma<br />
Gerätetechnik GmbH & Co.<br />
KG<br />
Founded: 1949<br />
Location: Headquartered<br />
in Putzbrunn, Germany,<br />
the Truma Group has<br />
other branches in the UK,<br />
Sweden, Italy, the United<br />
States, China and Australia.<br />
Products: Maker of coolers,<br />
leisure vehicle heating and<br />
cooling systems, caravan<br />
movers, water systems<br />
and more, the company<br />
also makes smart control<br />
systems.<br />
Other: The company has<br />
become a serious global<br />
player in the industry<br />
with a 98 per cent brand<br />
recognition level in the<br />
European market. The<br />
Truma Group employs<br />
more than 1,000 people.<br />
www.truma.com<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 41
KOA COMPANY PROFILE<br />
Pic © KoA Jeff Dow<br />
Leading by example<br />
This year marks the 60th anniversary of one of the world’s largest networks of<br />
privately-owned campgrounds and most influential and innovative leaders. The<br />
Kampgrounds of America story has come a very long way since humble beginnings.<br />
W<br />
■hen the first ever<br />
Kampgrounds of<br />
America (KOA)<br />
site was established, it was a<br />
very different world. It was<br />
established in the sleepy<br />
mountain town of Billings,<br />
Montana in the early 1960s<br />
as a stopover for tourists who<br />
were making long journeys<br />
from across the country to<br />
attend Seattle’s Century 21<br />
Exposition (<strong>World</strong> Fair). Local<br />
businessman and entrepreneur<br />
Dave Drum saw an opportunity,<br />
not only to plant the first<br />
seeds of his ambitious business<br />
ideas, but also to help fellow<br />
travelling Americans on their<br />
long journeys. The site was<br />
picturesque, nestled on the<br />
banks on the Yellowstone River,<br />
and it was also reasonable.<br />
Campers were charged $1.75<br />
a night to pitch tents or park<br />
travel trailers and were treated<br />
to private fire rings, picnic<br />
tables, a small store, laundry,<br />
and hot showers. It was a<br />
glimpse into the future of what<br />
the modern day campsite and<br />
RV park would become: true<br />
hospitality on the road.<br />
“What began as just an idea<br />
and one campground has grown<br />
exponentially over six decades,”<br />
said Toby O’Rourke, president<br />
and CEO of Kampgrounds<br />
of America. “When KOA<br />
was founded, the goal was to<br />
provide easy access to camping<br />
options for travellers. We’ve<br />
taken that spirit of change<br />
and modernization and used<br />
it as a catalyst to become the<br />
leader in camping and outdoor<br />
hospitality.<br />
“While the beginnings of<br />
KOA might seem humble, Dave<br />
had an entrepreneurial spirit<br />
that still inspires our work. By<br />
keeping a progressive, customercentric<br />
approach to our business,<br />
we established ourselves at<br />
the forefront of this industry.<br />
In 2021, we marked our best<br />
year in company history by an<br />
astounding 33 per cent over the<br />
previous record. For a 60-yearold<br />
company, that’s the kind of<br />
42 | www.campingtradeworld.com
COMPANY PROFILE KOA<br />
Pic © KoA Will Page<br />
Pic © KoA Micah & Jenna Kvidt<br />
Pic © KoA Dan Armstrong<br />
Pic © KoA Micah & Jenna Kvidt<br />
Pic © KoA<br />
momentum that will continue<br />
to propel KOA forward.”<br />
A LEAP FORWARD<br />
By the 1980s, KOA was a<br />
publicly traded company, but<br />
one of its most significant<br />
stockholders, Oscar Tang,<br />
decided he wanted to make<br />
a move. He purchased KOA<br />
in its entirety and returned<br />
it to private ownership <strong>–</strong> his<br />
values of fostering business and<br />
connecting people are reflected<br />
across the company today.<br />
“KOA provides places where<br />
campers can make memories,<br />
and small business owners can<br />
build their dreams,” said Oscar.<br />
“Over my four decades of<br />
owning KOA, I am proud of<br />
our work that has positively<br />
affected millions of people<br />
across the U.S. and Canada. It’s<br />
exciting to look forward and see<br />
endless opportunities within<br />
the camping, outdoor, and travel<br />
industry.”<br />
Today, KOA includes 525<br />
franchised and owned locations<br />
across the USA and Canada, it<br />
also owns 44 properties after<br />
expanding the campground<br />
portfolio by 15 further locations<br />
in last year alone. Further, KOA<br />
recently launched a new luxury<br />
brand, Terramor Outdoor<br />
Resort, which finished its<br />
first full season at its flagship<br />
property in Bar Harbor, Maine,<br />
at 80 per cent occupancy. The<br />
company is actively developing<br />
more Terramor locations across<br />
the country.<br />
KOA is now arguably the<br />
leading name in campgrounds<br />
in North America and continues<br />
to evolve its business to meet<br />
the needs of American and<br />
Canadian campers and RV<br />
users via the development<br />
of proprietary campground<br />
management software, access to<br />
industry-leading campground<br />
design professionals and bestin-class<br />
staff training.<br />
A BRAND FOR TODAY<br />
AND TOMORROW<br />
One of the ways in which<br />
KOA is planning to celebrate<br />
and build upon its 60 years of<br />
success is with a new corporate<br />
headquarters. The company<br />
has broken ground on a new<br />
facility in Billings, just a few<br />
short miles from the location of<br />
its spiritual home and first ever<br />
campsite. KOA says that the new<br />
building will represent both its<br />
rich history and also its bright<br />
and ambitious future, with the<br />
overarching them being to help<br />
connect Americans with the<br />
great outdoors.<br />
Another way that KOA<br />
plans to build on its long<br />
history of innovation is the<br />
implementation of a partnership<br />
with Jamestown Advanced<br />
Products, that will see Level<br />
2 EV chargers installed at<br />
campsites across the United<br />
States and Canada. Fans of<br />
KOA can also expect new main<br />
campground building designs<br />
and many other moves that<br />
will increase the company’s<br />
overall modernisation and<br />
sustainability.<br />
Toby O’Rourke added:<br />
“The real story of our 60th<br />
anniversary is that we are just<br />
getting started. With initiatives<br />
like the Campground of the<br />
Future, focusing on integrating<br />
emerging technologies like<br />
solar and electric charging<br />
and empowering our franchise<br />
owners to innovate, we are<br />
eagerly taking on the next 60<br />
years.”<br />
Learn more about KOA at<br />
www.koa.com<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 43
ISABELLA COMPANY PROFILE<br />
From stitches to riches<br />
It has been 65 years since Søren Odgaard sewed the first stitch on a ridge tent in his<br />
cellar at his home in Denmark. Fast-forward to today and his legacy has become one<br />
of the camping industry’s best-known awning brands. This is the Isabella story…<br />
T<br />
■hat iconic crown<br />
logo that is adorned<br />
on the recognisable<br />
circular windows on awnings<br />
at campsites all across Europe<br />
has taken on an extra special<br />
significance in 2022. The logo,<br />
which you will not doubt<br />
recognise as that of Danish<br />
awning authority Isabella,<br />
is especially significant this<br />
year because it is the 65th<br />
44 | www.campingtradeworld.com<br />
anniversary of the company.<br />
Over a lifetime of hard work,<br />
Isabella has grown to become<br />
an instantly recognisable brand<br />
that has become known for<br />
its quality, its innovations,<br />
and most recently, its growth<br />
in popularity. But how did it<br />
get here? The company’s story<br />
began back in 1957 when<br />
young and self-assured Dane<br />
Søren Odgaard couldn’t find<br />
a tent that matched his needs.<br />
So, like all folk for whom the<br />
entrepreneurial spirit flows<br />
through their veins, he decided<br />
to create his own. The moment<br />
of inspiration that saw those<br />
first stitches sewn in Søren’s<br />
basement sparked the beginning<br />
of Isabella <strong>–</strong> and luckily for<br />
thousands of campers around<br />
the world, he didn’t just stop at<br />
one tent.
COMPANY PROFILE ISABELLA<br />
VIEW FROM THE TOP<br />
These days, Isabella is a forward-thinking,<br />
ambitious, and modern company that<br />
is working hard to take full advantage of<br />
the current uptick in the camping and<br />
caravanning industry. To learn more, we<br />
spoke with company CEO, Morten Kjeldsen,<br />
to get his views on the current state of play.<br />
How is business going for Isabella right<br />
now? How have the last few years been?<br />
Business going very well at the moment, we<br />
have succeeded to develop new products<br />
that suits the caravan people. The last few<br />
years we have grown in all markets we are in.<br />
▲ Isabella founder Søren Odgaard, who sewed his first tent in 1957.<br />
HISTORY LESSON<br />
There are few interesting things you should know about Isabella. First of all,<br />
the name came from Søren’s fascination with the classic car, the Borgward<br />
Isabella. Secondly, the company began only making ridge tents until in the<br />
1960s Søren saw that camping on two wheels was becoming more popular. He<br />
decided to follow this trend and in fact created the A-measurement system<br />
for caravans in 1967. Another thing you should know (and you already will<br />
if you’ve had the pleasure of using an Isabella product) is that the focus on<br />
quality is the same today as it was when Søren first started the company.<br />
Isabella prides itself on getting the details right, which has led to the company<br />
coming up with many much-needed innovations in the awning sector<br />
throughout its history. Take for example its Isacryl material, a spinneret-dyed,<br />
textured-weave, durable acrylic material that is used to create its awnings,<br />
giving them impressive water ingress protection, breathability, climate control<br />
and fade resistance. Or its CarbonX chassis that it introduced in the 2000s,<br />
which allowed awnings to be made far lighter than ever before without<br />
compromising on strength or durability. Quite simply, the company has always<br />
followed the initial ethos of its founder and aimed to offer products that solve<br />
the problems campers have and give them an extension to their camping living<br />
space that will last a lifetime.<br />
How important is the company’s long<br />
history in relation to how it is today?<br />
Our story is living in us. We have always been<br />
working on good relations with our suppliers<br />
and dealerships, and that is still a great part<br />
of our daily work.<br />
What are the most important recent<br />
developments the company has made?<br />
On the product side we are developing<br />
into the motorhome market right now,<br />
this is where the growth is the biggest. On<br />
the internal side we are back to where we<br />
came from, working with our core with the<br />
campers in mind.<br />
Do you predict the current boom in the<br />
camping industry will continue?<br />
How have you capitalised on it? We think<br />
that the business will slow a bit down, now<br />
everybody can travel again, and this will<br />
have an effect, but we are on a higher level<br />
than before. We are in constant process of<br />
developing new articles for the market, and<br />
we will continue doing this to keep or even<br />
grow our market share.<br />
What are Isabella’s plans for the future,<br />
without giving away any secrets, of<br />
course?<br />
Isabella will also in the future be a part of the<br />
caravanning business, and we will reinforce<br />
our current brands within the group.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 45
ISABELLA COMPANY PROFILE<br />
timeline<br />
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s<br />
Søren Odgaard sews his first<br />
ridge tent in the basement<br />
of his home. He begins by<br />
renting tents for one Danish<br />
Krone per day. Soon the young<br />
entrepreneur starts production<br />
of his first villa tent the Capri.<br />
In 1964, Isabella produced its<br />
very first awning designed to<br />
fit the two-holiday homes that<br />
were prevalent on the market.<br />
Søren Odgaard also developed<br />
the A-measurement system for<br />
caravans.<br />
As camping begins to grow<br />
in popularity, more durable<br />
awnings are required. Isabella<br />
steps up to the plate by<br />
developing the first with acrylic<br />
canvas and polyester coated<br />
roof to replace cotton.<br />
An increase in the mobility<br />
of caravans leads Isabella to<br />
develop a revolutionary new<br />
fibreglass frame system: the<br />
IXL. These new frames are far<br />
lighter than ever before and<br />
allow caravanners to take them<br />
on their trips more easily.<br />
46 | www.campingtradeworld.com
COMPANY PROFILE ISABELLA<br />
MODERN-DAY PIONEER<br />
The Isabella of today is an<br />
impressive company of some<br />
270 employees working across<br />
sales offices in seven different<br />
countries. Isabella products are<br />
sold in more than 35 different<br />
courtiers around the world<br />
and the company recently<br />
opened a brand-new 7,000sqm<br />
production facility in Poland<br />
that aims to further increase<br />
its capacity, efficiency, and<br />
profitability. The move was<br />
a sign of the times. Current<br />
CEO Morten Kjeldsen said<br />
that the facility will allow<br />
the company to streamline<br />
production and prepare for the<br />
growth it expects over the next<br />
few years. That’s impressive<br />
considering the company has<br />
already experienced some<br />
strong growth over the last<br />
decade. First, from the increase<br />
in interest in camping and<br />
caravanning and second, from<br />
the boost the whole industry<br />
received during the COVID-19<br />
pandemic. But Isabella’s current<br />
position has not been reached<br />
only by external influences,<br />
the company has constantly<br />
adapted to offer products<br />
that improve the camping<br />
experience and fit the current<br />
needs and trends of the market.<br />
As well as historic innovations<br />
such as the A-measurement<br />
system CarbonX and IXL,<br />
Isabella now offers awnings<br />
that are durable, keep a steady<br />
internal climate, protect from<br />
UV rays, and fit with modern<br />
camping styles. One of the<br />
company’s latest innovations<br />
that encapsulates how it<br />
works is the Air X-Tension<br />
<strong>–</strong> the company’s first freestanding<br />
air awning designed<br />
specifically for campervans.<br />
The Air X-Tension lets<br />
campervan users expand their<br />
living area by 8.25sqm with<br />
plenty of headroom and the<br />
option to zip out two of the<br />
sides to transform it into a sun<br />
canopy with fixed screen panel.<br />
It also boasts quick set-up<br />
and pack-down times thanks<br />
to its air tubes that feature<br />
a single inflation point and<br />
can easily be detached from<br />
a campervan or motorhome<br />
and left standing while you<br />
drive away <strong>–</strong> making it easy to<br />
use on longer camping trips.<br />
While Isabella is not the first<br />
company to create a product<br />
like this (and probably won’t<br />
be the last), it has done it with<br />
its typical attention to quality,<br />
performance, and products that<br />
the market actually wants. As it<br />
says in its own PR: “We believe<br />
that strong, hard-wearing<br />
materials, modern design and<br />
an exclusive finish are the icing<br />
on the cake when you want to<br />
relax and enjoy some downtime<br />
in your outdoor living room. It’s<br />
100% Danish hygge.”<br />
Learn more about Isabella at<br />
www.isabella.net<br />
1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s<br />
Isabella expands its range<br />
to cater to the needs of<br />
permanent pitchers and<br />
price-conscious campers<br />
by launching the Ventura<br />
awning range. The Ventura<br />
Pacific quickly becomes one<br />
of the company’s best-selling<br />
awnings.<br />
The company once again<br />
reveals a pole system<br />
revolution <strong>–</strong> this time with its<br />
CarbonX lightweight chassis.<br />
This carbon-fibre reinforced<br />
fibreglass frame is lighter and<br />
stronger than anything Isabella<br />
has ever made before.<br />
Isabella acquired Danish<br />
caravan and trailer tent<br />
manufacturer Camp-let in<br />
2017 and begins working avidly<br />
on developing new products<br />
and improving the already<br />
successful original range.<br />
At the beginning of this<br />
decade, Isabella has been<br />
focussed on creating products<br />
to suit the needs of modern<br />
campers who use motorhomes<br />
and campervans. Examples<br />
include the Levo Cosy Corner<br />
and all-new Air X-Tension driveaway<br />
awning.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 47
TENTS SECTOR SPOTLIGHT<br />
SECTOR<br />
SPOTLIGHT<br />
Tents<br />
The tent market is experiencing a boom in sales and a boom in<br />
technological developments like never before. We examine the current<br />
trends and the forecast the areas where you could be most likely to<br />
strike up a meaningful and productive cooperation in the tent market.<br />
Photo: Glen Jackson (Unsplash)<br />
48 | www.campingtradeworld.com
SECTOR SPOTLIGHT TENTS<br />
T<br />
■he humble tent is<br />
how camping began.<br />
Without it, it’s doubtful<br />
whether we would have moved<br />
on to trailer tents, caravans,<br />
motorhomes and beyond. The<br />
simple act of sleeping outside<br />
under a canvas shelter hasn’t<br />
changed too much since it’s<br />
early days <strong>–</strong> humans have been<br />
doing it for a long time <strong>–</strong> and<br />
it is perhaps that ancient<br />
pull that makes it appeal to<br />
so many people today. The<br />
modern tent market is vibrant,<br />
diverse, and innovative. Many,<br />
many companies have turned<br />
their hands to making tents,<br />
and many more have become<br />
national and international<br />
successes. Popularity in tents<br />
has increased steadily over<br />
the last decade, receiving a<br />
particularly stark shot in the<br />
arm in the era during and after<br />
the COVID-19 pandemic <strong>–</strong><br />
for some, a tent was a more<br />
affordable way to try camping,<br />
for others it represented a way<br />
to get back to nature, and for a<br />
few more it was simply a new<br />
way to travel in a safer way.<br />
Whatever the effects recent<br />
global events have had on the<br />
tent market, things are certainly<br />
looking positive once again.<br />
The only real issue, which<br />
seems to be across almost every<br />
industry, is that of supply chain<br />
problems. So far, the camping<br />
and outdoor industries seem<br />
to have been able to navigate<br />
these with some success.<br />
One of the truly great things<br />
about the tent market is that<br />
there are relatively little regional<br />
or national restrictions or<br />
barriers in terms export. With<br />
RVs, there can be issues from<br />
country to country regarding<br />
whether a vehicle meets the<br />
standards of each nation’s road<br />
rules. With tents, in very simple<br />
terms, a tent is a tent. The same<br />
tent that caters for the needs<br />
of hardcore hikers patrolling<br />
somewhere in deepest, darkest<br />
British Colombia in Canada<br />
would be just at a home on a<br />
quiet campsite in the English<br />
Lake District, or a coastal<br />
retreat on the Italian island<br />
of Sardina. Producers of tents<br />
generally find them a relatively<br />
easy item to export around<br />
the world, with the right<br />
connections of course. The same<br />
can be said for retailers looking<br />
for their next best-seller <strong>–</strong> it<br />
could come from a brand in<br />
any corner of the world. The<br />
increasingly global nature of the<br />
tent market can be seen with<br />
the likes of American giant Big<br />
Agnes recently establishing<br />
a European headquarters to<br />
better serve the continent, or<br />
New Zealand brand Zempire<br />
establishing subsidiary or<br />
partner companies in the USA<br />
and the United Kingdom.<br />
Evidence of the global appeal<br />
of tents can be seen by the<br />
many retailers who have started<br />
up their own tent brands to<br />
sell directly to the entry-level<br />
customers they have.<br />
Tents are a product that can<br />
cater to all price points. You can<br />
spend literally thousands on a<br />
high-end family tent that can<br />
sleep eight to 10 people <strong>–</strong> or<br />
you can spend $100 on a cheap<br />
pop-up tent for a festival. The<br />
spectrum includes almost every<br />
conceivable level between these<br />
two extremes, but a sweet spot<br />
that many tent brands have<br />
been aiming for is the priceperformance<br />
ratio that allows<br />
newcomers to be able to afford<br />
their products at the lower end<br />
of the price spectrum, but still<br />
enjoying an excellent camping<br />
experience with them. One<br />
thing that can easily be achieved<br />
with tents is a customer journey.<br />
Most people start off with<br />
something inexpensive to dip<br />
their toe, but they quickly<br />
realise they need something<br />
bigger, better designed, or<br />
of better quality. Because of<br />
how many different levels<br />
of tents there are, you could<br />
conceivably take a consumer<br />
on a journey with your brand<br />
throughout their entire life<br />
if they stick with the hobby<br />
and you have the right<br />
products. Identifying which<br />
demographics are generally at<br />
which stages of the journey has<br />
proved to be an effective way<br />
for tent brands to market their<br />
products. Young couples will<br />
often start small but maybe<br />
move onto more technical or<br />
lightweight tents more quickly<br />
than families, who are more<br />
concerned with space rather<br />
than technical features.<br />
THE STATISTICS<br />
US$2.8bn<br />
Estimated value of global<br />
camping tent market<br />
10,000+<br />
Tents sold annually in<br />
the United Kingdom<br />
(estimated)<br />
US$80 to $250<br />
Estimated mean RRP of a<br />
camping tent<br />
9.1m<br />
First-time camper<br />
households in the USA in 2021<br />
56%<br />
Of new campers in 2021<br />
said they prefer tent<br />
camping<br />
61.3m<br />
Projected number of<br />
households that will be<br />
camping in North America<br />
in 2022.<br />
Global interest in Google search term ‘tent’ in the last year<br />
100<br />
75<br />
50<br />
25<br />
23 MAY<br />
2021<br />
10 OCT<br />
2021<br />
27 FEB<br />
2022<br />
Top five countries with highest<br />
Google search interest for the<br />
term ‘tent’ in the last year<br />
Australia<br />
New Zealand<br />
United Kingdom<br />
Netherlands<br />
Canada<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 49
TENTS SECTOR SPOTLIGHT<br />
Photo: Patrick Hendry (Unsplash)<br />
▲ In the warmer months, many adventure-style tents can be used without a flysheet, further increasing their portability.<br />
TRENDING<br />
The trends on display in the<br />
tent camping market do vary<br />
quite considerably depending on<br />
which corner of the Earth you<br />
reside. In European countries<br />
like the UK, France, the<br />
Netherlands, and Germany, the<br />
largest part of the market is for<br />
good-sized family tents. Think<br />
anything from a four-person<br />
tent through to a 10-person<br />
tent, most of which nowadays<br />
feature inflatable tubes rather<br />
than traditional poles. This is<br />
probably down to the fact that<br />
families want to enjoy a much<br />
higher level of luxury than they<br />
once did on a camping trip, and<br />
the industry has responded in<br />
kind. It’s not uncommon for a<br />
large, multi-bedroom tent to be<br />
sold with a solid collection of<br />
furniture such as chairs, tables,<br />
carpets, wardrobes and more.<br />
This kind of camping normally<br />
sees families staying on one<br />
site for a prolonged period of a<br />
week or longer. In other nations,<br />
such as North America, while<br />
these larger family tents do have<br />
a place, smaller backpacking<br />
style tents tend to dominate the<br />
industry a little more. Besides<br />
cultural differences, a lot of<br />
this could also be attributed<br />
to the kinds of places people<br />
go camping. In Europe, welldeveloped<br />
campsites with good<br />
facilities and plenty of space<br />
for leisure vehicles mean that<br />
larger family tents are suited.<br />
In North America, it is much<br />
easier to go camping in the<br />
wilderness and not on a specific<br />
campground. This is partly down<br />
to access issues and also to the<br />
large amount of space North<br />
America has geographically.<br />
The backpacking or lightweight<br />
camping tent market is seeing<br />
some growth in Europe though,<br />
possibly down to a growing<br />
interest in the great outdoors<br />
from the general public and also<br />
driven by inspirational content<br />
provided on social media.<br />
You could be mistaken for<br />
thinking that a growth in<br />
family-sized tents would mean<br />
less of a focus on technical<br />
materials. In fact, the demand<br />
from consumers for their tent<br />
to be a proper home from home<br />
means that manufacturers are<br />
putting in more effort than<br />
ever to come up with more<br />
advanced technical materials<br />
that are also environmentally<br />
friendly. In Europe, Danish<br />
family camping brand Outwell<br />
recently revealed one of its most<br />
durable and protective materials<br />
ever, Outtex 6000 Endurance<br />
RS, while over in the United<br />
States, New Hampshire-based<br />
Nemo Equipment revealed<br />
an award-winning new fabric<br />
technology, OSMO, that scores<br />
well on the sustainability scale.<br />
The increasing demand for<br />
smarter technology is evident:<br />
a tent that doesn’t display any<br />
effort to have some kind of<br />
advanced technology within<br />
its construction will likely not<br />
be a huge hit with consumers.<br />
Equally important is that<br />
eco message. Consumers are<br />
becoming more environmentally<br />
savvy in general, but campers<br />
are perhaps even more so than<br />
50 | www.campingtradeworld.com
SECTOR SPOTLIGHT TENTS<br />
Photo: Oase Outdoors<br />
▲ Danish company Oase Outdoors, which owns brands like Robens and Outwell, has many innovative and unique tent designs.<br />
The increasing demand for smarter technology is evident: a tent that<br />
doesn’t display any effort to have some kind of advanced technology within<br />
its construction will likely not be a huge hit with consumers.<br />
the average. When your hobby<br />
involves spending time in nature<br />
and in the outdoors then you<br />
are naturally likely to be more<br />
in tune with being a greener<br />
consumer. Vango recently<br />
launched its Earth collection, all<br />
of which are made from recycled<br />
plastics. While other big-name<br />
brands such as Big Agnes use<br />
a much more environmentally<br />
friendly dying process when<br />
manufacturing their tents.<br />
This green trend is something<br />
seen across the whole camping<br />
industry, but with the close<br />
connection that tents give people<br />
to nature, it is perhaps even more<br />
pronounced in this market.<br />
One thing that is a certain<br />
trend in tent camping is that<br />
it’s still on an upward trend. A<br />
study by one of the UK’s leading<br />
camping and outdoor gear<br />
retailers, Cotswold Outdoors,<br />
recently showed that UKwide<br />
camping equipment sales<br />
have increased by 40 per cent<br />
compared to pre-pandemic<br />
figures, Scotland has seen the<br />
biggest sales boom (89 per cent<br />
increase), and monthly camping<br />
related searches online peaked<br />
in May 2021 when they were<br />
400 per cent higher than the<br />
monthly average. Year-on-year,<br />
the product category with the<br />
highest demand increase is<br />
camping picnic items (up 158<br />
per cent), closely followed by<br />
children’s sleeping bags (110<br />
per cent) and cookware (93 per<br />
cent). Stoves, lanterns, tables<br />
and chairs, two-person tents and<br />
sleeping mats all also saw good<br />
rises, but the real surprise was<br />
that six person tents or larger<br />
were down about 43 per cent.<br />
Cotswold reckons some of this<br />
could be because people have<br />
been camping in smaller groups<br />
in the last few years to practise<br />
social distancing, but it could<br />
also point to a trend for smaller<br />
tents and more backpacking over<br />
family-style home comfort tents.<br />
Tent manufacturers are often<br />
very connected with their end<br />
users, often through the use of<br />
social media influencers. Because<br />
of this, they are able to stay well<br />
on top of current and upcoming<br />
trends. There is perhaps much<br />
that could be learned from the<br />
way in which tent companies<br />
conduct their business that<br />
everyone in the camping<br />
industry could benefit from.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 51
TENTS SECTOR SPOTLIGHT<br />
BUSINESS CONNECTIONS<br />
The tent market is a vibrant and innovative place with brands that<br />
cover the entire spectrum of price points, from super-cheap, entry<br />
level, through to very expensive and technical products. Tents have<br />
the wonderful attribute of being a product that can be translated to<br />
any market anywhere in the world without any major modifications.<br />
So, with that in mind, here’s a snapshot of companies that could<br />
help you make a meaningful international business connection…<br />
There will likely be plenty of brands you have already heard of, but<br />
hopefully one or two that you haven’t. Either way, your next big<br />
partners could be lurking somewhere on these pages.<br />
Alpkit<br />
www.alpkit.com<br />
Black Wolf<br />
www.blackwolfoutdoors.com<br />
ESVO<br />
www.esvocampingshop.com<br />
Hilleberg<br />
www.hilleberg.com<br />
Alps Mountaineering<br />
www.alpsbrands.com<br />
Cabanon<br />
www.cabanon.com<br />
Eureka <strong>Camping</strong><br />
www.eurekacamping.com<br />
Hyperlite Mountain Gear<br />
hyperlitemountaingear.com<br />
Bell Tent<br />
www.belltent.co.uk<br />
Cabela’s<br />
www.cabelas.com<br />
Fjällräven<br />
www.fjallraven.com<br />
Jack Wolfskin<br />
www.jack-wolfskin.com<br />
Bergans<br />
www.bergans.com<br />
Caranex<br />
www.caranex.com<br />
Gelert<br />
www.gelert.com<br />
Kampa<br />
www.kampaoutdoors.com<br />
Big Agnes<br />
www.bigagnes.com<br />
Coleman<br />
www.coleman.com<br />
Helsport<br />
www.helsport.com<br />
Karsten<br />
www.karstententen.com<br />
Black Diamond<br />
blackdiamondequipment.com<br />
Easy Camp<br />
www.easycamp.com<br />
Highlander<br />
www.highlander-outdoor.com<br />
Kathmandu<br />
www.kathmandu.co.nz<br />
▲ Tent camping offers a level of freedom that is not always attainable with vehciles such as caravans or motorhomes.
SECTOR SPOTLIGHT TENTS<br />
Kelty<br />
www.kelty.com<br />
Outwell<br />
www.outwell.com<br />
Snow Peak<br />
www.snowpeak.com<br />
Westfield Outdoors<br />
www.westfieldoutdoor.com<br />
Khyam<br />
www.khyam.co.uk<br />
Oztent<br />
www.oztent.com<br />
SoulPad<br />
www.soulpad.co.uk<br />
Zempire<br />
www.zempire.co.nz<br />
Macpac<br />
www.macpac.co.nz<br />
Qube Tents<br />
www.qubetents.com<br />
SunnCamp<br />
www.sunncamp.co.uk<br />
Marmot<br />
www.marmot.com<br />
Quechua<br />
www.quechua.com<br />
Terra Nova<br />
www.terra-nova.co.uk<br />
MSR<br />
www.msrgear.com<br />
REI<br />
www.rei.com<br />
The North Face<br />
www.thenorthface.com<br />
Nemo Equipment<br />
www.nemoequipment.com<br />
OLPRO<br />
www.olproshop.com<br />
Outdoor Revolution<br />
www.outdoor-revolution.com<br />
Robens<br />
www.robens.de<br />
Royal<br />
www.royal-leisure.co.uk<br />
Skandika<br />
www.skandika.com<br />
Vaude<br />
www.vaude.com<br />
Vango<br />
www.vango.co.uk<br />
Wenzel<br />
www.wenzelco.com<br />
*Note: We know this isn’t every<br />
company that deals in tents on the<br />
planet, but we hope you can make<br />
a meaningful business connection<br />
through it. If you feel we’ve missed<br />
you out, contact us today to talk<br />
about editorial opportunities.<br />
▲ Wild camping is growing in popularity around the world with brands like Vango providing great one-person tents for it.
EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE BECOME A BETTER BUSINESS<br />
BECOME<br />
A BETTER<br />
BUSINESS<br />
Enhance your<br />
exhibition experience<br />
Despite all the advances of modern technology, the humble exhibition remains a key<br />
component of modern business. But how do you make the most of your exhibition<br />
experience? Our marketing guru has some ideas…<br />
A<br />
■n enforced break from<br />
exhibitions and shows<br />
due to you-knowwhat<br />
has led to somewhat of a<br />
renaissance for these kinds of<br />
events. They truly are one of those<br />
things that we didn’t know how<br />
much we needed until they were<br />
gone. And whisper it quietly,<br />
but it looks as though they are<br />
back for good once again. So,<br />
what better time to reassess<br />
how valuable they are to your<br />
business and also how you can<br />
make the very most from them<br />
as a company? Some companies<br />
have decided that the money they<br />
saved by not exhibiting could be<br />
better spent elsewhere, and that’s<br />
fine <strong>–</strong> each to their own. Just<br />
for the record, I’m a big believer<br />
in exhibitions. Whether it’s a<br />
consumer fair or a trade show<br />
<strong>–</strong> exhibitions are an integral tool<br />
in the business growth toolkit,<br />
which means that you should<br />
definitely spend more time<br />
planning and strategizing around<br />
them.<br />
One of the first things this<br />
unexpected break in live events<br />
should have helped with is the<br />
assessment of which shows you<br />
think are most important to your<br />
businesses. Do the audiences of<br />
any you attend overlap? Are there<br />
some that will better serve you<br />
in terms of growth in different<br />
markets or segments? Taking<br />
stock of the shows you attend and<br />
keeping an eye out for new and<br />
interesting ones should be your<br />
first port of call. If you do identify<br />
a new show that you’re interested<br />
54 | www.campingtradeworld.com
BECOME A BETTER BUSINESS EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE<br />
© Landemesse stuttgart<br />
SHOWS NOT TO MISS IN<br />
THE CAMPING INDUSTRY:<br />
CMT (Germany)<br />
ISPO (Germany)<br />
Outdoor Retailer Snow (USA)<br />
Caravan, <strong>Camping</strong> and<br />
Motorhome Show (UK)<br />
<strong>Camping</strong> & Picnic Fair<br />
(South Korea)<br />
All in Caravaning (China)<br />
Outdoor Retailer Show (UK)<br />
▲ Exhibitions can easily pass you by without proper planning and measurable goals.<br />
Outdoor Retailer Summer<br />
(USA)<br />
in, then unless you are hugely<br />
confident it’s right, then put<br />
down that booking form. The best<br />
thing to do is attend a show as a<br />
visitor first to get a feel for it. See<br />
who exhibits, see who the typical<br />
visitors are, maybe even use it as a<br />
chance to talk to the organisers in<br />
person before you take the leap.<br />
Exhibitions can be expensive,<br />
that is almost inevitable. But try<br />
to think about it a longer term<br />
view. You could set up a deal that<br />
six months down the line pays for<br />
the show ten times over. A show<br />
is the definition of speculating<br />
in order to accumulate. There<br />
are also always ways in which<br />
you could try to bring the costs<br />
down when it comes to travel and<br />
accommodation too.<br />
Once you’ve settled on the<br />
show you want to exhibit at,<br />
you then need to set clear goals<br />
that you want to achieve. Ideally<br />
those goals will be tied to your<br />
wider goals as a company which<br />
helped you select this show in<br />
the first place. Try to set some<br />
quantifiable goals that have some<br />
means of measuring whether<br />
you’ve been successful or not. If<br />
it’s not possible to be tangible<br />
with your results, then set some<br />
aspects of the score that you and<br />
your team score your performance<br />
on. Having a structured plan<br />
is absolutely key to enjoying<br />
a successful show. There’s a<br />
temptation to get bogged down<br />
in the logistics or to put things off<br />
until closer to the time, but those<br />
who prepare well will get the<br />
most from an exhibition.<br />
Having said that, some of the<br />
best things to come out of shows<br />
are those chance encounters that<br />
simply wouldn’t have happened<br />
without them. You never know<br />
who you might bump into and<br />
what you might chat about. The<br />
next person on the stand could<br />
be an influencer who could<br />
help elevate your marketing<br />
to a higher level, or maybe a<br />
distributor who could open up<br />
an entire territory. Even with a<br />
firm plan in place for what you<br />
want to achieve at an event, it<br />
really pays to be flexible and<br />
allow some time to freestyle. If<br />
it’s a trade show, try not to spend<br />
your entire day in arranged<br />
meetings. While these face-toface<br />
encounters are important, so<br />
is having a chance to let random<br />
things happen.<br />
At the end of the day,<br />
exhibitions tap into the most<br />
basic human instincts. We are<br />
social creatures, and having the<br />
opportunity to network, to meet<br />
and greet, and to talk face-toface<br />
with other human beings<br />
can sometimes create stronger<br />
bonds than any other type of<br />
marketing ever could. Long live<br />
the exhibition.<br />
Caravan Salon (Germany)<br />
Elmia (Sweden)<br />
Caravanmesen (Norway)<br />
Salon VDL (France)<br />
Salone del Camper (Italy)<br />
The Glamping Show (UK)<br />
Kampeer en Caravan<br />
Jaarbeurs (Netherlands)<br />
Mobicar (Belgium)<br />
Motorhome and Caravan<br />
Show (UK)<br />
Caravan Salon (Austria)<br />
Salon Caravaning (Spain)<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 55
EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE BECOME A BETTER BUSINESS<br />
TOP TIPS<br />
© Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH<br />
TO HAVE A<br />
GREAT<br />
SHOW<br />
01 02 03<br />
PROMOTE YOURSELF<br />
To make the most of any appearance<br />
at an exhibition, it really helps to<br />
promote yourself to the audience<br />
before the show starts. Make people<br />
aware you are going to be there, get<br />
them excited about why they should<br />
come and visit you, try to make your<br />
stand unmissable. No matter how<br />
big your presence at a show, there’s a<br />
chance people might miss you in the<br />
hustle and bustle. By using methods<br />
such as email marketing, social<br />
media posts and press releases, you<br />
can make sure that your company’s<br />
name and logo is firmly in the minds<br />
of attendees to a show <strong>–</strong> whether<br />
end consumers or B2B visitors.<br />
GET READY TO ENGAGE<br />
Being at a show is only the first<br />
piece in the jigsaw of making it a<br />
success. To really make the most<br />
of it, you need to be engaging and<br />
welcoming towards passers-by. Too<br />
many times we have walked the<br />
halls of shows and seen staff sitting<br />
on stands looking bored or fed up<br />
and barely making eye contact when<br />
we come close. Exhibitions are hard<br />
work, they’re tiring, and there are<br />
always dull moments, but you have<br />
to try and keep your game face on as<br />
much as possible. Say ‘hi’ to people,<br />
welcome them, ask them how they<br />
are, you never know who you might<br />
be speaking to next.<br />
TEAMWORK PAYS OFF<br />
As just mentioned, shows can be<br />
hard work. Because of that, you need<br />
the right team for the occasion. Try<br />
to get as many people at the show<br />
as you can afford to and make sure<br />
they are the people who have the<br />
personalities that will come across<br />
best <strong>–</strong> everyone on your stand is a<br />
living, breathing representation of<br />
your company. Having a solid team<br />
will help with camaraderie and also<br />
allow you to give people decent<br />
breaks and downtime, which will<br />
boost your overall performance at<br />
the event.<br />
56 | www.campingtradeworld.com
BECOME A BETTER BUSINESS EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE<br />
© Landemesse stuttgart<br />
© Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH<br />
04<br />
MAKE PEOPLE REMEMBER YOU<br />
REMEMBER<br />
If it’s possible, try to make your stand<br />
more than just a stand. Try to create<br />
an experience. A great example of<br />
that is British tent brand Vango,<br />
which often hosts a contest to see<br />
who can inflate one of its AirBeam<br />
tents the fastest, with a running<br />
leader board throughout the event<br />
and prizes for the winners. It’s not<br />
always practical, but by creating an<br />
experience, people are much more<br />
likely to remember your company in<br />
the blur of products and brands they<br />
will see over the days of a show. If you<br />
can’t create an experience with your<br />
products, then consider giving away<br />
a simple and useful free gift that will<br />
keep you in the mind of visitors.<br />
05IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT<br />
PLACE<br />
THE SHOW FLOOR<br />
One of our favourite lines about<br />
shows, particularly trade shows,<br />
is that all the best deals are done<br />
outside the show. The social aspect<br />
of an industry can be a hugely<br />
important of a big get-together<br />
like an exhibition. Whether it’s in<br />
the bar, a restaurant, or some other<br />
more relaxed social setting, this<br />
is where you really get to know<br />
your customers or prospective<br />
customers and forge much stronger<br />
relationships with them. Having the<br />
opportunity to do it in a less formal<br />
situation is one of the best things<br />
about a show, especially if people<br />
have travelled long distances to be<br />
there <strong>–</strong> it’s a rare opportunity.<br />
06<br />
IMPORTANCE ON THE<br />
FOLLOW-UP<br />
If you pay no attention to any of this<br />
article at all, then please at least<br />
take on board this point. You simply<br />
must follow-up leads and contacts<br />
from an exhibition otherwise it may<br />
have all been for nothing. Those<br />
chance meetings mean nothing if<br />
you don’t stay in touch with people<br />
afterwards. Sometimes the followup<br />
might mean arranging to meet<br />
someone at a future exhibition or<br />
event, sometimes it’s just calling<br />
or emailing afterwards, or sending<br />
some information you said you<br />
would. Strike while the iron is hot<br />
in the week or two after the event<br />
to be most effective with your<br />
following up.<br />
www.campingtradeworld.com | 57
MAKING CONTACT<br />
LIPPERT<br />
SOLIDSHIELD VAN GRILLE<br />
GUARD<br />
Lippert claims that its new SolidShield Van<br />
Grille Guard is designed to take an innovative<br />
step forwards in fleet grille guard technology.<br />
Compared to the industry-standard twopoint<br />
system, SolidShield features a superior<br />
four-point mounting system that allows for<br />
maximum strength and rigidity and helps<br />
prevent damage to the vehicle. It gives the<br />
fleet an updated, sophisticated look with its<br />
vehicle-specific construction that contours<br />
to the front of the cargo van, creating a sleek,<br />
stylish appearance.<br />
www.lci1.com<br />
OUTWELL<br />
SOLAR SHOWER<br />
In an effort to make the camping<br />
experience more comfortable for<br />
everyone who undertakes it, Outwell<br />
has a range of sanitation facilities that<br />
can help you bring the home comforts<br />
along with you. A great example is the<br />
20-litre Solar Shower, which provides<br />
ample hot water for free using the<br />
sun’s rays to heat up the black bag.<br />
An integral thermometer allows you<br />
to monitor water temperature. These<br />
showers are also ideal for outdoor<br />
pursuits and washing off your dog after<br />
a walk along the beach.<br />
www.outwell.com<br />
THETFORD<br />
PORTA POTTIS<br />
Thetford is the inventor of the Porta<br />
Potti, which could make a case for being<br />
one of the most important products in<br />
the history of camping and caravanning.<br />
Now available in seven different<br />
variations, there is a Porta Potti for every<br />
campers needs. With different sizes and<br />
capacities, as well as smart features such<br />
as toilet roll holders, different flushing<br />
systems, and even the ability to be<br />
repaired with spare parts, it’s no wonder<br />
they have been so successful.<br />
www.thetford.com<br />
VOLT<br />
METRO EBIKE<br />
Made in the UK, Volt’s impressive Metro<br />
folding ebike features a sleek and<br />
modern design as well as high-spec<br />
components. Features include Tektro<br />
Hydraulic Brakes, an ABUS frame-lock<br />
on the rear wheel, Velo Plush saddle,<br />
ZOOM suspension seat-post and SR<br />
Suntour front fork suspension. Still one<br />
of the lightest ebikes on the market with<br />
a large capacity SpinTech Panasonic<br />
battery, the Metro folds down quickly<br />
and easily for storage or travelling.The<br />
Metro’s lightweight 16 inch frame and<br />
powerful 250 watt SpinTech motor<br />
results in a nippy and stylish way to get<br />
around<br />
www.voltebikes.co.uk<br />
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MAKING CONTACT<br />
PEGGYPEG<br />
SCREW-IN PEGS<br />
All Peggy Peg plastic screw-in pegs are produced from<br />
fibre-glass reinforced UV-resistant polyamide. The<br />
bright colour is so that they can be seen more easily.<br />
Peggy N is the height adjustable all-purpose Peggy<br />
Peg for awnings, cords and tents etc. Product testers<br />
travelling all around Europe have approved that Peggy<br />
N can be used in 90 per cent of all cases by its height<br />
adjustment. Pre-drilling might be useful in hard or<br />
frozen grounds (take a 10mm drill).<br />
www.peggypegs.de<br />
ROBENS<br />
TRACE HAMMOCK SET<br />
Following the success of its Trace Hammock Set, outdoor specialist<br />
Robens has introduced a complete package for off grid overnight<br />
micro-adventures. The Trace Ultimate Hammock Set (pictured<br />
above) contains all required to create an ideal ‘leave no trace’ nest<br />
that can be quickly slung between trees to keep you comfortably<br />
off the cold, damp ground away from crawling insects and rain.<br />
Packing down to just 22cm x 31cm and weighing in at 1.84kg,<br />
the Trace Ultimate Hammock Set comprises: hammock with<br />
integrated mosquito net, tarp, slings and cord, and carabiners.<br />
www.robens.de<br />
NEMO EQUIPMENT<br />
OSMO DAGGER TENT<br />
Billed as the one-tent-wonder by Nemo, the OSMO Dagger<br />
is lightweight enough for backpacking, yet roomy enough<br />
for comfort on any adventure. It’s one of the first tents in<br />
Nemo’s iconic backpacking collection to feature its new<br />
proprietary OSMO fabric with advanced water repellency<br />
that lasts four times longer. This composite fabric has three<br />
times less stretch when wet, reducing sag and maintaining<br />
wind and rain shedding in any weather. OSMO fabrics<br />
are completely PFC- and PFAS-free, meet fire retardancy<br />
standards without the use of added chemicals, and are<br />
woven from 100 per cent recycled yarns.<br />
www.nemoequipment.com<br />
TELECO<br />
PORTABLE POWER STATION<br />
Teleco has introduced a new series of Portable Power Stations, designed to<br />
ensure campers always have the energy they need, no matter how long they<br />
spend off-grid. Featuring lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, the two<br />
stations can power loads of various kinds, with the PPS500 model offering 460<br />
Wh and the PPS1000 offering 1110 Wh. In comparison to values normally seen<br />
on recreational vehicles, this means 38Ah and 93Ah respectively at 12 Volts. In<br />
alternating current, the smaller model guarantees up to 500 Watts of power,<br />
while the larger one provides 1000 W and can reach a peak power of 2000 W.<br />
www.telecogroup.com<br />
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MAKING CONTACT<br />
ADRIA<br />
SONIC<br />
These premiu integrated motorhomes from Adria feature<br />
distinctive styling, an exclusive front mask and rear wall design<br />
and a durable Comprex body construction that is available in<br />
either silver or white. The aerodynamic exterior benefits from<br />
a large panoramic window while the double floor provides a<br />
single level throughout the motorhome and offers additional<br />
below-floor storage. The interior feature bright colours, simplistic<br />
styling, an open-plan design, controllable lighting system,<br />
multimedia entertainment and heating by Truma and Alde.<br />
www.adria-mobil.com<br />
HOBBY<br />
ONTOUR<br />
The OnTour caravan from Hobby is fresh from winning several<br />
awards in its native Germany and is designed to offer effortless<br />
travel to its users. The range weighs from as little as 1,200kg with<br />
2.2m of width making it compact and easy to tow, however the<br />
smart layouts mean the inside will not feel cramped but will feel<br />
more like a home from home. There are three different models in<br />
the range <strong>–</strong> the 390 SF, the 460 DL and the 470 KMF <strong>–</strong> that sleep<br />
between three and four people.<br />
www.hobby-caravan.de<br />
DOMETIC GO<br />
HARD STORAGE 50L<br />
A product that is part of the new Dometic GO sub-brand,<br />
this hard storage case is versatile, easy-to-use and built to<br />
last. Made from a durable vertical aluminium and highimpact-resistant<br />
polymer, the case can take whatever you<br />
throw at it while its lid is designed to have other storage<br />
cases stacked on top of it for neat storage. Built-in handles,<br />
tiedown points, lock holes and secure easy-pull latches<br />
further add to the storage case’s usefulness.<br />
www.dometic.com<br />
CAMP-LET<br />
PASSION<br />
Designed to be the perfect trailer tent for a family of four,<br />
the Camp-Let Passion gives campers 18sqm of holiday<br />
accommodation as standard with the option to add-on additional<br />
space via annexes on either side. The trailer tent has a wellequipped<br />
kitchen and can be customised further with a wide<br />
range of accessories and add-ons. The Passion also has integrated<br />
blackout curtains as standard giving a comfortable indoor climate<br />
in the day and an undisturbed night’s sleep.<br />
www.isabella.net<br />
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MAKING CONTACT<br />
EASY CAMP<br />
MAGNETAR<br />
Affordable camping brand Easy Camp has<br />
introduced two new Magnetar tents into<br />
its range that offer versatility and reliability.<br />
Designed to be practical and lightweight, the<br />
200 and 400 sizes of the new tent, are fast to<br />
pitch thanks to their tunnel designs and can<br />
be entered by a side door that provides ample<br />
storage space. Front and rear vents allow the<br />
adjustment of air flow inside the tent while<br />
the Sleep-Tight inner reduces light entry<br />
to enhance sleep quality. Available in two<br />
colours: rustic green on the 400 and rustic<br />
green or steel blue on the 200.<br />
www.easycamp.com<br />
PRIMUS<br />
LITE+<br />
This compact and lightweight<br />
backpacking stove system can feed<br />
up to two people and offers the most<br />
efficient heating in an easy to use and<br />
easy to pack footprint. Attach and lock<br />
the 0.5L pot to the burner with a simple<br />
twist. The Piezo igniter lights the stove<br />
with a push of a button so you can boil<br />
water quickly. The Laminar Flow Burner<br />
is extremely compact, and puts out a<br />
4500BTU (1500 W) flame, boiling 0.5L<br />
water in less than three minutes in a<br />
quieter cooking experience. Simply pour<br />
directly from the pot spout or use the<br />
included pots support pegs for use with<br />
ANY pot or pans.<br />
www.primusequipment.com<br />
TRELINO<br />
S VAN COMPOSTING<br />
TOILET<br />
The Trelino S is the alternative for a<br />
Porta Potti. No matter where you travel<br />
with your Van and where you want to<br />
stay overnight. It is always with you.<br />
This composting toilet boasts being<br />
ready to use immediately, is hygienic<br />
for both men and women, is easy to<br />
clean, doesn’t need water or chemicals,<br />
can be disposed of almost anywhere<br />
and is designed and manufactured<br />
in Germany. The Trelino has a tinted<br />
urine container for more privacy when<br />
emptying. Nevertheless, the fill level can<br />
still be read.<br />
www.trelino.com<br />
BAILEY<br />
DISCOVERY AIR<br />
AWNING<br />
Each Discovery Air Awning has been<br />
designed exclusively by PRIMA and<br />
is bespoke-fitted to each of the three<br />
Bailey Discovery caravan models, giving<br />
you more space to relax, eat, store and<br />
sleep. The awning quickly expands your<br />
space yet is easy to pitch, and packs up<br />
neatly for storage or travelling. There are<br />
no complicated pole configurations or<br />
set-up <strong>–</strong> simply thread the awning into<br />
the channel, inflate each beam and peg<br />
down. With large panoramic windows,<br />
huge skylights and fully removable<br />
doors, the awning can be transformed<br />
into a light and open space.<br />
www.primaleisure.com<br />
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MAKING CONTACT<br />
SPECIALISED COVERS<br />
CARAVAN COVER<br />
Designed to protect caravans from the elements<br />
while they are stored away, covers from UK firm<br />
Specialised Covers feature door access, a storage<br />
bag, fitting poles and aerial and flue allowance<br />
if required. They feature a hydrostatic head of<br />
2,500mm and are also breathable, meaning that<br />
any internal moisture can easily escape. Specialised<br />
Covers make caravan covers in custom shapes and<br />
designs to fit almost any leisure vehicle.<br />
www.specialisedcovers.com<br />
OUTWELL<br />
SEAFORD CHAIR<br />
Available in two pastel colours, the Seaford low chair is perfect for<br />
quality me-time like when relaxing on the beach in the sun. Four<br />
back positions and the back rest U-frame allows you to kick back<br />
upright with a good book or fold flat as a sun bed when topping<br />
up the tan. The strong, durable steel frame and easy-clean<br />
textilene provide great support while an integrated foam pillow<br />
enhances comfort.<br />
www.outwell.com<br />
SOG<br />
COMPACT AND COMPACT CLOSE<br />
A smart idea from German company SOG comes in the<br />
shape of its Compact and Compact Close ventilation<br />
systems. They can be easily attached to most type of caravan<br />
or motorhome toilet seats and when the lid is opened a fan<br />
turns on and sucks unpleasant odours from the toilet bowl<br />
vial the aerodynamically adapted suction shaft <strong>–</strong> they are<br />
then discharged through a special high-performance filter.<br />
The Compact works on most toilets, while the Compact<br />
Close has been designed to work on toilet seats with softclose<br />
actions.<br />
www.sog-systeme.de<br />
SNOW PEAK<br />
FASTPACK ENTRY SLEEPING BAG<br />
The Fastpack Entry Sleeping Bag is a hybrid sleeping system comprised of a<br />
sleeping bag and attached mattress that enables you to set up your camping bed<br />
faster than ever. The Fastpack Entry Sleeping Bag features a modular dual zipper<br />
to allow separation into mattress/duvet, so you can adjust your sleeping style<br />
depending on the temperature. It’s the perfect sleeping bag for Spring/Summer<br />
and the polyester Hollow Fibre insulation retains warmth in temperatures as low as<br />
3°C. You can also attach two units together to create a double sleeping space that<br />
will comfortably accommodate two persons.<br />
www.snowpeak.com<br />
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MAKING CONTACT<br />
REMIS<br />
REMICARE VAN INSECT<br />
PROTECTION DOOR<br />
Available for vans including Fiat<br />
Ducatos, Volkswagen T5/ T6, the<br />
Mercedes Sprinter, and the Ford Transit<br />
Custom, the REMIcare Van insect<br />
protection door is made of black, slightly<br />
pleated material. Even with the sliding<br />
door open, flies, mosquitoes, and gnats<br />
are kept out of the sleeping and living<br />
area, without obstructing the view.<br />
The insect protection door is so easy<br />
to install that end users can do it with<br />
minimal instruction.<br />
www.remis.de<br />
LIPPERT<br />
CROSSWING 5TH<br />
WHEEL HITCH<br />
The Curt CrossWing 5th wheel hitch<br />
gives you the best of both worlds by<br />
packing extraordinary strength into<br />
one lightweight hitch. It’s 65 per cent<br />
lighter than most traditional 5th wheel<br />
hitches and still overs a 20,000lb<br />
weight capacity. To add to its superior<br />
strength and integrity, it is made with<br />
high-grade steel instead of aluminium<br />
to ensure uncompromising durability.<br />
The innovative coupling mechanism<br />
has a visible contact surface, meaning<br />
it eliminates the guesswork that similar<br />
hitches require when backing up to the<br />
trailer.<br />
www.lci1.com<br />
BALDACCI<br />
MAGNETIC SYSTEM<br />
Expert in caravan and motorhome<br />
components, Baldacci, has launched<br />
a totally innovative system consisting<br />
of a backlit bar, available in any length,<br />
where a wide range of accessories can<br />
be inserted. A magnetic device allows<br />
the accessories to be quickly attached<br />
to the bar, guaranteeing maximum<br />
stability and avoiding vibrations.<br />
Accessories can be customised in terms<br />
of size and shape. A system that allows<br />
maximum flexibility.<br />
www.baldacci.it<br />
HELLA<br />
SHAPELINE LED REAR<br />
LAMPS<br />
Whether large or small quantities,<br />
the lamps of the innovative HELLA<br />
Shapeline series give vehicle series<br />
a consistent, yet individual look.<br />
The different light functions can be<br />
combined in this way to create an<br />
attractive, unique lighting design. The<br />
entire HELLA Shapeline series, and thus<br />
also the Shapeline rear lamps, impress<br />
with their high-quality materials, long<br />
durability, and energy-efficient, highintensity<br />
LED technology. Multi-voltage<br />
capability allows them to be used in<br />
both 12 V and 24 V environments.<br />
www.hella.com<br />
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