Roadstar moves into Galaxy factory

The resurgence of Roadstar continues, with the reborn Melbourne caravan builder set to move into a larger factory formerly occupied by Galaxy Caravans before Easter.

Speaking at the 2015 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, Roadstar boss Ken Nizam  said all caravan assembly will be moved to the former Galaxy factory in Cooper St, Somerton by early April.

In-house chassis construction by sister company Hitec Engineering will remain at Roadstar’s current production facility in Coolaroo, about 10 minutes’ drive from the new factory in Melbourne’s north.

Roadstar bought the Somerton factory after Galaxy Caravans went bust and closed its doors in late-2014. Galaxy was formed in 2000 by two partners including Mark Burns, who had previously worked for Roadstar before it too hit troubled times and was purchased by Roadstar's chassis supplier Hitec Engineering in 2009.

Nizam said the bigger 3000sq.m Somerton factory will allow for increased production and expansion of the Roadstar range including new slide-out models and a new,

entry-level Compass range expected soon.

“We will have more than double the space so we can build up to 18 vans a week,” he said.

The factory building is being extensively repaired and renovated, with Roadstar purchasing new equipment and upgrading power capacity from 32amps to 80amps to run a new compressor for the overhead ‘air’ lines.

“The factory was in a very bad state. (Galaxy) ran it down to the ground,” he said.

To take advantage of the high-profile site, not far from the headquarters of fast-growing caravan builders Lotus and New Age, the factory will have new, eye-catching signage in Roadstar’s bright orange and brown corporate colours, along with palm trees and flags out front.

“The factory will have a very corporate look to follow our overall branding, it will reflect the quality of our caravans and our professionalism. It will probably be one of the best looking factories around,” he said.

“We’re in a good spot. It’s a prime location, with easily 5000 cars driving past there every day.”

Meanwhile, Roadstar launched the first of its new slide-out range at this year's Melbourne Supershow.

With a price tag of $124,990, 3500kg ATM and luxurious layout including slide-out bedroom with east-west bed, massive wardrobe space and remote controlled 'pop-up' 42in LED TV, the new 22ft Infinity (pictured) sits at the top of Roadstar's premium caravan range.