End of an era for original Windsor manufacturer

An ASX-listed company specialising in modular housing is pulling the pin on its RV parts and services division, ending decades of major involvement in the Australian caravan industry.

Go back around 15 years and Fleetwood Australia was one of Australia's biggest caravan manufacturers, building up to 2000 Coromal and Windsor caravans each year at its large Perth factory, while also running its successful Camec RV accessories division.

However, in 2009 Fleetwood cut its RV production by half following the effects of the Global Financial Crisis. In 2013 the company was forced to move all caravan production to Perth, and begin sourcing cheaper products from Asia including a Chinese camper trailer.

Sales and production picked up again, before another drop in revenue and the loss-making caravan brands were eventually offloaded to Apollo (now THL) in 2018.

Soon after it bought caravan services supplier Northern RV, cashing in on the COVID-driven caravan boom.

But following the more recent market downturn, Fleetwood says it will offload what remains of its Recreational Vehicles (RV) business, including RV Solutions and Camec, as well as close one of its modular manufacturing facilities in NSW, in an attempt to 'streamline' the business.

Fleetwood first started building Coromal and Windsor caravans back in the 1970s, while Camec dates back to the early 1960s.

In a statement to shareholders the company said: "Fleetwood has a long and successful history in the RV sector; however, the segment is increasingly non-core to the company’s future strategic priorities".

"Fleetwood will engage with potential acquirers and expects to cease operating in the RV Solutions segment during FY27."

The restructure is expected to cost up to $10million.