By Shantelle Willock, SYRACUSE, N.Y., (NCC News)—The RV industry is in decline this year with a 15% decline in shipments, but not all RV companies are sinking. Newmar Corporation is just one RV manufacturer managing to stay on top.
Events like this week’s Annual International RV Show in Syracuse are key to Newmar Corporation’s success. While the event doesn’t heavily rely on selling RVs, Newmar’s Vice President of Sales, John Sammut said community-building is what’s important.
“It’s really not a hard-selling environment at all,” said Sammut. “It’s really more fellowship and sharing our experiences and our stories together.”
The RV Show is also a big venue for vendors. With the continuing decline in the industry, vendors like Kassandra M. Dennis, owner of ‘An RVer’s Friend,’ must be smart about the companies they choose to work with.
“We tend to go to some rallies that have growth,” said Dennis. “Different brands have more growth than others.”
Dennis said she prefers to work with companies such as Newmar Corporation, Entegra Coach and Tiffin Motorhomes.
“They’re expensive rigs, [and their buyers] have money to spend,” Dennis said. “When you have a business it’s easy to go where people have money to spend.”
Planning is crucial to working in a declining industry, and Dennis’ strategy has paid off. Despite the RV industry’s drop in numbers, Dennis is seeing a rise in profits.
“This year our sales picked up 15%,” said Dennis. “And I would say that’s true for most vendors.”
So when guests come out to the International RV Show in Syracuse this week, in addition to the RVs and workshop seminars, they can find vendors selling RV supplies, food, jewelry and more.
