Fresh start for Elite Caravans

Embattled Melbourne manufacturer Elite Caravans has restructured its business, creating a new entity called Balistic RV Group to build new vans, while moving to new Campbellfield, Victoria premises.

Elite co-owner Adrian Cappola posted a message on the company’s Facebook page, stating that “Elite Caravans is moving forward with a restructure so we can put our company on a stronger path to growth”.

Under the new structure, Balistic RV Group will build Elite caravans, with a new address – 29 Humeside Dve, Campbellfield - and new phone number provided for warranty, sales and customer service enquiries.

Cappola promised prospective buyers “exciting times ahead with new models being developed and new technologies being tested before release in 2019”.

He also said the restructure “is all about growth and innovation for long term change to further establish the Elite Caravans brand as the leading caravan manufacturer in Australia”.

“Over the next few months, I will focus on Elite Caravans’ seven-year strategic plan and will look at investing in technologies, processes and cellular manufacturing, with plans to open additional factories to facilitate this," he said.

Cappola said it was “business as usual” for Elite, which was the victim of an alleged $1 million-plus fraud by a “rogue employee” in late-2017.

Elite subsequently shut down its Melbourne retail site; off-loading 29 unsold Elite vans at a special online auction not long after.

The Melbourne manufacturer said its NSW dealer Hinterland Caravans will have on display 11 Elite caravans at the Sydney Supershow, which runs from April 24-29 at Rosehill Racecourse.