Jayco hit hard by COVID-19
But Jayco boss predicts big post-lockdown sales liftNot even Australia's largest RV manufacturer Jayco, which accounts for as many as two in five new RVs sold down under each year, has escaped a big financial hit from the coronavirus crisis.
Back in late March when the government enforced lockdowns began, Jayco boss Gerry Ryan said his Dandenong, Victoria mega-factory continued to pump out orders thanks to a four month backlog.
However, as sales of new RVs dried up in April, Ryan said Jayco was forced to lay off 100 of its 1000-strong workforce and, like many other Australia RV manufacturers, shut down its factory for an extended period.
"We closed for three weeks, we had to to keep our production levels down, as sales came to a halt," Ryan told 9 News Melbourne.
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However, with social distancing restrictions being rolled back in some states including bans on camping and caravanning, Ryan said that over "the last couple of weeks, the enquiry rate (at dealers) has been excellent".
Jayco dealer Brisbane Camperland has seen buyer enquiries pick up considerably in recent times, after the major Queensland dealership was forced to shut down for two weeks in April after weeks of "almost no enquiry".
"in the past three weeks we have seen the growing enquiry convert to strong sales results as customers start to explore the option of travelling within Australia in a caravan," Brisbane Camperland Managing Director Josh Carnavas told caravancampingsales.
To meet pent-up demand for 'iso-escape' driving holidays in coming months, Ryan said Jayco is now ramping up production again, including building more motorhomes for Ryan's Let's Go rental fleet.
"There are a lot of new buyers (including) families coming in for the first time, (looking for) second hand and new. A lot of retirees are looking to head north for a bit of sunshine and warmth," he said.
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With more than 700,000 registered RVs in Australia, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia predicts as many as half a million RV travellers are ready to head off as soon as domestic travel restrictions are lifted, injecting up to $300 million into regional towns and businesses.
"I think long term families want to get out and see this beautiful country we live in," Ryan said.
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