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NEWS
Zone ramps up production
Cutting-edge caravan builder moves to double workforce and triple productionTeardrop specialist Gidget Campers isn't the only young, innovative Queensland manufacturer struggling to keep up with demand…
Two years since introducing a unique DIY option before ditching that for more traditional in-house 'turn-key' manufacturing, Coolum Beach-based Zone RV are in the process of cranking up production from around one to three caravans a week and doubling their workforce from 25 to 50 people.
Zone RV managing director Matt Johns said demand for the cutting-edge, lightweight, timber-free caravans is strong, with a growing order book for the mostly off-road-oriented range of 16ft 6in to 22ft 6in couple and family vans, that offer payloads as high as 1500kg and pricing all the way to $150,000.
To keep ahead of the pack, Zone RV will soon be one of the first Australian manufacturers to fit the new ‘military-spec’ Cruisemaster ATX off-road suspension, to a new 21ft 6in off-road model currently in production.
The production version of the hardcore, hi-tech ATX independent suspension was recently launched at the Queensland Caravan Show, and despite it costing even more than Cruisemaster’s premium airbag suspension, Zone RV plans to fit it as standard equipment on some of its models next year.
As well has hiring more production and sales staff, Zone RV is also increasingly utilising the talents of automotive production specialists like ex-Toyota Australia manufacturing manager Neil Kingsley who is helping the company streamline its manufacturing processes and implement a cloud-based project management platform.
Quality control will go up a notch when Zone RV introduces across its range automotive-style ‘plug ‘n play’ electrical wiring harnesses, similar to that already used by a handful of Australian RV manufacturers including Jayco and Bailey.
Zone RV is also planning to upgrade from its current 1000sq.m facility to a larger, custom-built factory, also in the Sunshine Coast region.
“We’re looking to scale production as fast as we can but without impacting quality control,” Johns said.
As far as new models go, Zone RV will introduce a lighter-spec all-terrain model fitted with Cruisemaster CRS suspension but has no immediate plans to enter the increasingly crowded compact, hard-walled camper market.
“We might look at a hybrid in a year or so, but at the moment we have our hands full with the bigger off-road models,” he said.
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Written byChris Fincham
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