Franklin goes national

Franklin Caravans will again be sold nationally from early next year following Concept Caravans’ purchase and remake of the 1950s iconic brand.

The purchase from former owner (and sole dealer) Kratzmann Caravans took place in June last year, but a full revamp of its model range, body shape, interior and exterior colour schemes and décor, has only recently been completed.

Franklin is one of Australia’s marquee brands, whose origins date back to the mid-1950s. It was a trend-setter with its ‘Truline’ Moulded Thermo Panel construction in the 1970s.

Concept previously built Franklin caravans under contract for nearly 10 years since the brand was acquired and revived in 2004 by Kratzmann.

The new 2015 Franklin Arrow and X Factor ranges – plus a special Arrow 10th Anniversary caravan – will have their first public outing at this week’s Leisurefest at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne, where it will be displayed by newly-appointed Melbourne dealer, Caravan Super Centre.

Two more State dealers will be announced in early 2015, while Kratzmann will remain Franklin’s Brisbane outlet.

As under Kratzmann’s ownership, the Franklin range will be produced on the same line as Concept and Newlands caravans at Concept’s Barry Road, Campbellfield (Victoria) factory, where the company recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with the production of its 5000th caravan.

Concept CEO Keir Smith was insistent that Franklin will sit alongside – not beneath – Concept as an on-going brand and will be a competitor with no automatic overlap of dealers.

However he was confident that the brand’s comprehensive revamp, which includes new body shapes, new models, standard silver exterior cladding, the introduction of digital body striping, 15-inch wheels as a minimum size, plus quality details like China-bowl toilets and a massive 6ft 8in interior height, would greatly increase its popularity with buyers.

As a result, he predicts the addition of Franklin could increase Concept’s overall business by as much as 40-50 per cent within three years, although he – like most manufacturers in the tightly-competitive Australian caravan industry – was coy on giving actual production estimates.