Jayco, Inc

Last updated
Jayco Inc.
Type Subsidiary
Industry recreation vehicles
Founded1968
FoundersLloyd and Bertha Bontrager
Headquarters,
USA
Owner Thor Industries
Number of employees
3,200
Website www.jayco.com
collapsible trailer patented by
Lloyd Jay Bontrager 1967 Patent 3,495,866.png
collapsible trailer patented by
Lloyd Jay Bontrager 1967
Jayco collapsible trailer 2004 model Jayco fold-down camper.jpg
Jayco collapsible trailer 2004 model

Jayco Inc., a subsidiary of Thor Industries, is an American manufacturer of recreation vehicles. The company manufactures fold-down, also called "Pop-up" Camping Trailers, Conventional Travel Trailers, Toy Haulers, Fifth-Wheel Travel Trailers, and Motorhomes (Class A, B, and C). Jayco is based in Middlebury, Indiana, and about three-quarters of its 3,200-person workforce is from the Amish and Mennonite communities of Indiana. [1]

Contents

History

The company was founded in 1968 by Lloyd and Bertha Bontrager. [2] Bontrager developed a trailer fold-down system in 1967 and started the business of making travel trailers in two chicken houses and a barn. In the first year of operations the company sold 132 trailers, and by the end of 1968 it had 15 employees. The company continued to grow and in 1970 built another plant in Harper, Kansas. [3] [4]

The company was hard hit in the energy crunch of the 1970s, and several of their plants were closed temporarily. [3] In the late 1980s and early 1990s they also suffered another slowdown due to the high price of gasoline. [3] The company recovered to become the second largest U.S. manufacturer of towable products by 1995. [3]

On Easter Sunday, 1985, Lloyd Bontrager was killed when his small airplane crashed in the vicinity of Muncie, Indiana. His wife Bertha became chairman of the board at Jayco, and later her sons Wilbur and Derald assumed leadership roles within the company. Currently, Derald Bontrager is president and CEO. [5] [6]

In addition to the Jayco brand, Jayco acquired Entegra Coach in 2008, Starcraft RV in 1991 and Highland Ridge in 2014. [7] Jayco currently manufactures about 50,000 RVs per year, and reached the 1 millionth manufactured RV milestone in April 2016. [8]

Jayco was acquired by Thor Industries in July 2016 for $576 million. [9]

Models

Jayco is known for their Jay Flight model, which became available in 2001. Since 2005, the Jayco Jay Flight has been the #1 selling travel trailer brand. [10] In 2006, the Jay Flight brand expanded its model lineup with the addition of the seasonal model, Bungalow. As part of an exclusive deal with the legendary American company, Jay Flights began featuring tires from Goodyear® with Durawall® technology standard. Jay Flight was the first to be listed as a Gold Medal Green Certified RV.

Current Model Range

ModelClassFuelChassis
HummingbirdTravel TrailerTowable
Jay FeatherTravel TrailerTowable
White HawkTravel TrailerTowable
Jay FlightTravel TrailerTowable
Jay Flight SLX 7Travel TrailerTowable
Jay Flight SLX 8Travel TrailerTowable
Jay Flight BungalowTravel TrailerTowable
Eagle HTTravel TrailerTowable
EagleTravel TrailerTowable
Eagle HTX Fifth WheelFifth WheelTowable
Eagle HT Fifth WheelFifth WheelTowable
Eagle Fifth WheelFifth WheelTowable
North PointFifth WheelTowable
PinnacleFifth WheelTowable
Octane Super LiteToy HaulerTowable
TalonToy HaulerTowable
Talon PlatinumToy HaulerTowable
SeismicToy HaulerTowable
Redhawk SEClass CGasChevrolet
RedhawkClass CGasFord
GreyhawkClass CGasFord
Greyhawk PrestigeClass CGasFord
MelbourneClass CDieselMercedes-Benz
Melbourne PrestigeClass CDieselMercedes-Benz
SenecaClass CDieselFreightliner
SwiftClass BGasRam
AlanteClass AGasFord
PreceptClass AGasFord
Precept PrestigeClass AGasFord
EmbarkClass ADieselSpartan Motors

Sustainability

In 2010, all of Jayco's products were green certified by TRA Certification, an accredited certification. This made Jayco the first major RV manufacturer to be 100 percent green certified and fully recognized for building products with green manufacturing processes and materials. [11]

In 2013, Jayco Inc.'s three operating divisions, Jayco, Starcraft and Entegra Coach, recycled 1,284 tons of wood, 13,221 tons of scrap metal and 1,801 tons of cardboard and paper, saving 59,900 mature trees. [12]

Jayco has had a recycling program in effect since the early 1980s, and has received several recognitions for its recycling efforts including a Governor's Award of Excellence. [11]

Awards and recognition

International

Jayco partnered with a UK-based company in the late 1970s and produced a tent camper for the European market. [3] Jayco Australia Ltd was founded in 1975, and production commenced there the following year. Jayco of Australia soon became the largest player in the Australian camper/caravan industry.

Jayco Travel Club

Jayco developed a special travel club called "Jayco Travel Club" that has yearly vacation plans. [18] [19] It has over 100 chapters in the United States and Canada for their customers. The chapters are called "Flights" and often contain references to the blue jay, which is Jayco's logo and mascot. [20]

Video of RV assembly at Jayco factory

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campsite</span> Place used for overnight stay in the outdoors

A campsite, also known as a campground or camping pitch, is a place used for overnight stay in an outdoor area. In British English, a campsite is an area, usually divided into a number of pitches, where people can camp overnight using tents, campervans or caravans; this British English use of the word is synonymous with the US English expression campground. In American English, the term campsite generally means an area where an individual, family, group, or military unit can pitch a tent or park a camper; a campground may contain many campsites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recreational vehicle</span> Type of vehicle

A recreational vehicle, often abbreviated as RV, is a motor vehicle or trailer that includes living quarters designed for accommodation. Types of RVs include motorhomes, campervans, coaches, caravans, fifth-wheel trailers, popup campers, and truck campers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caravan (trailer)</span> Type of vehicle

A caravan, travel trailer, camper, tourer or camper trailer is a trailer towed behind a road vehicle to provide a place to sleep which is more comfortable and protected than a tent. It provides the means for people to have their own home on a journey or a vacation, without relying on a motel or hotel, and enables them to stay in places where none is available. However, in some countries campers are restricted to designated sites for which fees are payable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest River (company)</span> American manufacturer of recreational vehicles and trailers

Forest River Inc. is an American manufacturer of recreational vehicles, cargo trailers, utility trailers, pontoon boats, and buses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campervan</span> Type of vehicle

A camper van, also referred to as a camper, caravanette, motor caravan or RV in North America, is a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping accommodation. The term describes vans that have been fitted out, whereas a motorhome is one with a coachbuilt body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorhome</span> Type of vehicle

A motorhome is a type of self-propelled recreational vehicle (RV) which offers mobile living accommodation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airstream</span> American brand of caravan

Airstream is an American brand of travel trailer easily recognized by the distinctive shape of its rounded and polished aluminum coachwork. This body shape dates back to the 1930s and is based on the Bowlus Road Chief, an earlier all-aluminum travel trailer designed and built by Hawley Bowlus, the same designer and engineer who also oversaw the construction of the Spirit of St. Louis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hymer</span> Motorhome and caravan manufacturer

Hymer AG is a motorhome and caravan manufacturer, located in Bad Waldsee, Germany. One of the largest manufacturers of motorhomes and caravans in Europe, the listed company Hymer AG owns several brands, including; Burstner, Carado, Sunlight, Etrusco, Elddis, Hymer, Laika, LMC, Niesmann + Bischoff, Dethleffs, Eriba, as well as camping equipment wholesale Movera. In February 2017 it acquired The Explorer Group based in Consett, UK adding the Elddis, Buccaneer, Compass and Xplore brands to its portfolio. In 2018, Thor Industries acquired Hymer.

Lazydays RV is an American company specializing in the sales and service of recreational vehicles, RV rentals, parts and accessories. The company was founded in 1976 and operates 8 locations in 7 states, including Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Loveland, Colorado and Elkhart, Indiana Minneapolis, Minnesota; Knoxville, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; The Villages, Florida; and its headquarters in Seffner, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thor Industries</span>

Thor Industries, Inc. is an American manufacturer of recreational vehicles (RVs). The company sells towable and motorized RVs through its subsidiaries brands including Airstream, Heartland RV, Jayco, Livin Lite RV, and others. The company's headquarters is in Elkhart, Indiana. It has manufacturing facilities in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shasta travel trailers</span>

Shasta travel trailers were recreational vehicles originally built between 1941 and 2004. Founded by industry pioneer Robert Gray, the firm was originally situated in a small factory in Los Angeles, California to provide housing for members of the US Armed Forces. With the growth in sales over the following 30 years, the "home" factory in L.A. moved to three steadily larger facilities in Southern California, in addition to six other factories established across the country to better serve the regional markets. At the time of its purchase by the W.R. Grace Company in 1972, Shasta was the largest seller of recreational vehicles in the United States. Coachmen Industries, Inc. bought the firm from Grace in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molton Brown</span> Personal care company

Molton Brown is a luxury British fragrance brand known for Eaux de Parfum and Toilette, as well as bath, body, hair, and home collections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holiday Rambler</span>

Holiday Rambler Corporation is an American corporation which primarily manufactures recreational vehicles. It was founded in 1953. In 1961, Holiday Rambler’s introduction of aluminum body framing ushered in a new era of lighter, stronger and more durable recreational vehicles (RVs). This aluminum frame (Alumaframe) became the standard for lighter and stronger RVs for 40 years. Holiday Rambler was also responsible for many firsts; built-in refrigerators, holding tanks and aerodynamic radiused corners. As Holiday Rambler moved into motorhomes, they were the first with tag axles and the kitchen slide-out revolutionized "interior engineering" in the field. Holiday Rambler was sold to Harley-Davidson in 1986 and later in 1996 to the Monaco Coach Corporation where its future, then under Navistar International Corp., was difficult in 2010 as it was for most motorhome manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popup camper</span> Type of vehicle

A pop-up camper is a type of towed recreational vehicle that can be collapsed for easy storage and transport. When set up, this type of trailer provides a large amount of interior space when compared to its size when collapsed. Its relatively affordable price makes it a popular choice for some RVers and its small size contributes to easier towing than many other types of RVs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Millennium Luxury Coaches</span>

Millennium Luxury Coaches is a central Florida-based manufacturer of custom luxury motor coaches, built in Sanford, Florida. All coaches are built using the Prevost commercial bus chassis. Millennium has designed custom coaches for business owners, and pro athletes which have retailed for over $2,000,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Rogers Travel Group</span> Travel and holiday companies of the United Kingdom

Alan Rogers Travel Group was formed in 2012 following the purchase of various brands from the former Mark Hammerton Group Ltd by The Caravan Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livin Lite RV</span> American manufacturer of recreation vehicles

Livin Lite RV was an American manufacturer of recreation vehicles sold under the CampLite and QuickSilver brands. It was based in Shipshewana, Indiana. The company was most recently managed by KZ Inc., a subsidiary of Thor Industries. Livin Lite made truck campers, fold-down tent camping trailers, travel trailers, and toy haulers. They were known for their advanced lightweight aluminum construction techniques.

The term recreational vehicle (RV) is often used as a broad category of motor vehicles and trailers which include living quarters for designed temporary accommodation. Types of RVs include motorhomes, campervans, caravans, fifth-wheel trailers, popup campers, truck campers and Park Model RVs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indie Campers</span> European RV rental company

Indie Campers is a motorhome rental company, operating in the European and American markets, with its own fleet of over 2000 vehicles distributed by more than 40 locations in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Croatia, United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, Austria, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and in the United States. In addition to its own fleet, Indie Campers has a Caravan Marketplace with more than 1600 vehicles from private hosts.

References

  1. "UPDATE: Jayco expansion to create 360 jobs in Twin Falls". Magic Valley.
  2. Booker, Ted (2 July 2016). "Thor acquires Jayco in $576 million deal". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Jayco, Inc. company history". Fundinguniverse. International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. 13. St. James Press, 1996. 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  4. "Jayco Factory Tour in Middlebury, IN". Watch it Made in the USA. Karen Axelrod and Bruce Brumberg. 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  5. Stephanie + Jeremy. "RVFTA #210 Jayco's 50th Anniversary Celebration with Bertha Bontrager Rhodes". RVTA.
  6. NEWS, THE GOSHEN. "Wilbur Bontrager retiring from Jayco Inc". Goshen News.
  7. "Thor Announces Acquisition of Jayco for $576 Million". pr newswire.
  8. Booker, Ted. "Jayco hits milestone with 1 millionth RV". south bend tribune.
  9. Tribune, South Bend. "Thor acquires Jayco in $576 million deal" . Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  10. "RV Executive Today: Top-Selling Brands For 2017". RVBusiness.
  11. 1 2 MacNeal, David. "Jayco Reports Its RVs are 100% Green Certified". RV Pro.
  12. "Jayco's EcoAdvantage Program Meeting Goals". RV Business.
  13. "Jayco Founders Honored with RVDA Titan Award". RVDA.
  14. "RV Executive Today: Top-Selling Brands For 2017". RV Business.
  15. "Good as Gold … and Silver and Bronze". Trailer Life.
  16. Bunker, Kristopher. "And the Winners Are …". Motorhome.
  17. "Quality Circle Award". RVDA.
  18. "Jayco Travel Club - Tours". www.jaycorvclub.com.
  19. "Jayco Travel Club - About". www.jaycorvclub.com.
  20. "Jayco Travel Club - Chapters". www.jaycorvclub.com.