Crusader wins top award again

Melbourne's Crusader Caravans has picked up another major Business Excellence award from Caravan Industry Victoria (CIV); its third in five years.

The Epping, Victoria manufacturer of full composite caravans was presented with the Excellence in Caravan & RV Manufacturing Award at last month's 2024 Caravan Industry Victoria Hall of Fame and Industry Award night, after receiving the same award in 2019 and 2021.

The annual award is judged by a panel of industry experts and recognises excellence in local RV manufacturing, with other finalists including Jayco, New Age and Nova Caravans. Melbourne's Nova Caravans has also won the 'Best Victorian Manufacturer' award three times -- in 2017, 2018 and 2023.

Founded by former caravan plumber Serge Valentino, Crusader started off building caravans under the Dreamhaven name in 2001 and now employs around 100 staff at its new purpose-built factory in Melbourne's north. In recent years Crusader has been building all its vans using fibreglass sandwich panel construction, and boasts a rigorous quality-control process at its factory.

The 23-year old Melbourne manufacturer also recently joined a growing list of local RV brands that sell caravans and campers in the US market.

"The award highlights Crusader Caravans' unwavering commitment to building high-quality
caravans for Australians," Crusader Caravans' Managing Director Serge Valentino said. "It’s a testament to the passion and dedication of all our staff who expertly craft every single caravan as if it was their own. Thank you to all our customers for your support.”

Other CIV Business Excellence Awards presented at the industry event that took place at Melbourne's Crown Palladium in late June, included Redarc (Excellence in Component Manufacturing), Southern Design RV (Excellence in Dealership), Australian RV Accessories (Excellence in Industry Supplier), and Award RV Superstore (Excellence in Retailer).

Employee of the Year Excellence Awards were also handed out to Jayco's Scott Jones (Caravan & RV Manufacturing), Southern Design RV's Michael Warren (Dealership), Integrated OE's Angela Lo Nigro (Industry Supplier), Alpine Annexes' Darren Jackway (Retailer), and Jayco's Darren Scott (Manager of the Year).

While other individual awards went to Retreat Caravans' Tilly Rexhepi (Col Parrot Media Award), Nova's Dilan Ranawakeachchige (George Pantazopoulos Young Achiever Award) and Bruce Illingworth (Charlie Tebb Service to Industry Award).

Jayco's Gerry Ryan, Graeme Radford and Russell Breadmore received Life Membership awards, while Ron Chapman and Gary Merlo were inducted into the Hall of Fame.