Jayco Family of Companies

Last updated
Jayco Family of Companies
Company typeSubsidiary
Industry Recreational Vehicles (RV)
Founded1968
FounderLloyd Bontrager
Headquarters Middlebury, Indiana, United States
Key people
Ken Walters (President)
Products
Brands
Number of employees
~4,000
Parent Thor Industries
Website www.jayco.com

The Jayco Family of Companies is an American manufacturer of recreational vehicles (RVs) and a subsidiary of Thor Industries. [1] [2] The group operates through its brands, including Jayco RV, Entegra Coach, Highland Ridge RV, and Starcraft RV. [3] Based in Middlebury and Shipshewana, Indiana, the company has been a prominent player in the RV industry since its founding in 1968. [4]

Contents

History

The Jayco Family of Companies was founded in 1968 by Lloyd Bontrager, [5] [6] who developed a unique lifter system for fold-down camping trailers. [7] The company began operations with 15 employees and sold 132 camping trailers in its first year. By 1971, the Jayco Family of Companies had entered the travel trailer market, producing 1,100 units in its debut year, followed by its expansion into the fifth-wheel trailer market in 1972. [8]

In the mid-1970s, the Jayco Family of Companies became one of the top ten RV manufacturers in the United States. [9] [10] The company introduced innovative designs, such as the stand-up area in fifth-wheel bedrooms, [11] and expanded internationally with the establishment of Jayco Australia. [12]

In 1985, Lloyd Bontrager died in a plane crash, [13] and leadership transitioned to other executives, including Al Yoder and Wilbur Bontrager. [14] The company reached milestones such as shipping its 100,000th unit and introducing new product lines, [15] including lightweight travel trailers like the Kiwi, which later evolved into the Jay Feather series. [16]

By the late 1990s, the Jayco Family of Companies opened a customer service center and established an online presence with the launch of its website. In 2016, the company was acquired by Thor Industries. [17] [18]

Brands

The Jayco Family of Companies expanded its operation over the years through key brands including Jayco RV, Starcraft RV, Entegra Coach and Highland Ridge RV. [5]

Jayco RV

Jayco RV Jayco RV Logo.png
Jayco RV

Founded in 1968, Jayco RV is the flagship brand of the Jayco Family of Companies. It manufactures a wide range of recreational vehicles, including travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and motorhomes (Class A, B, and C). Jayco RV is headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana, and employs a workforce that includes members of the local Amish and Mennonite communities. [19]

Starcraft RV (1991)

Starcraft RV Starcraft RV Logo.png
Starcraft RV

Starcraft RV manufactures travel trailers and fifth wheels. Founded in 1903 as a farm equipment manufacturer, Starcraft is now headquartered in Shipshewana, Indiana following its acquisition by Jayco Family of Companies in 1991. [20]

Entegra Coach (2008)

Entegra Coach Entegra Coach Logo.jpg
Entegra Coach

Established following the acquisition of Travel Supreme, Entegra Coach focuses on high-end luxury motorhomes, including diesel pushers, Class A motorhomes, and Class C motorhomes. [21] It operates out of Middlebury, Indiana.

Highland Ridge RV (2014)

Highland Ridge RV Highland Ridge Logo.png
Highland Ridge RV

Specializes in travel trailers and fifth wheels with innovative designs and materials, Highland Ridge RV is based in Shipshewana, Indiana. [22]

Jayco Family of Companies' Universities

The Jayco Family of Companies has partnered with the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) to develop a fully virtual online classroom. [23] This initiative provides customers with training on RV ownership, including topics like setup, maintenance, and safety. [24]

Operations

The Jayco Family of Companies operates manufacturing facilities in Middlebury and Shipshewana, Indiana, employing approximately 4,000 people. [25] The company’s workforce includes a significant number of Amish and Mennonite craftspeople, reflecting its deep roots in Indiana’s local communities. [26]

Related Research Articles

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

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">Motorhome</span> Type of vehicle

A motorhome is a type of self-propelled recreational vehicle (RV) which is as the name suggests, like a home on wheels.

<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 model of the all-aluminum travel trailer.

<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; Bürstner, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All American Group</span> Defunct American motor vehicle manufacturer

All American Group was an American company whose divisions produced pre-fabricated housing, recreational vehicles (RVs) and system-built homes. Based in Elkhart, Indiana, it was founded in 1964 as Coachmen Industries. It was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol COA until 2009, when it was delisted for failing to maintain continued NYSE listing standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thor Industries</span> American recreational vehicle manufacturer

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">Winnebago Industries</span> American motorhome manufacturer

Winnebago Industries, Inc. is an American manufacturer of motorhomes, a type of recreational vehicle (RV). In 2018, the company expanded into motorboat manufacturing with the acquisition of Chris-Craft Corporation. Winnebago has also manufactured light-to-medium utility vehicles as well as other products. The company is named after Winnebago County, Iowa, where it used to be headquartered. The county is named after the Native American tribe who have historically lived in the area. During the 1970s and 1980s, Winnebago Industries depended on Native American history and traditions in naming their products, for example "Chieftain" and "Brave." They also used Native American iconography and patterns in their designs and period advertisements.

Fleetwood RV is a producer of recreational vehicles (RVs). Founded in 1950, Fleetwood RV is part of REV Group. Rev's recreation division includes Fleetwood RV, American Coach, Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Renegade RV, Midwest Automotive Designs, and Lance Campers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayco</span> American RV manufacturer

Jayco RV is a subsidiary of Jayco Family of Companies and an American manufacturer of recreational vehicles. The company manufactures Conventional Travel Trailers, Toy Haulers, Fifth-Wheel Travel, Trailers and Motorhomes. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holiday Rambler</span> American manufacturer of recreational vehicles

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">Heartland Recreational Vehicles</span>

Heartland RVs is an American manufacturer of recreational vehicles located in Elkhart, Indiana. Founded by former Damon Corp. CEO Brian Brady in 2003, it was purchased and became a subsidiary of Thor Industries in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">REV Group</span> American vehicle manufacturer

REV Group, Inc. is an American manufacturer of ambulances, buses, commercial vehicle, firefighting vehicles, recreational vehicles and other specialty vehicles, as well as aftermarket parts and services. It provides vehicles and services for public fire departments and emergency services, as well as commercial infrastructure and leisure vehicles for consumers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boles Aero</span> American brand of trailers, 1946–1980

Boles Manufacturing produced the Boles Aero brand of aluminum recreational travel trailers in Southern California from 1946 to 1980. Boles Aero trailers featured aircraft style, riveted semi-monocoque aluminum construction, similar to Airstream's line of trailers. In contrast, most other camping trailers of the era were of wood frame construction, covered by a non-structural aluminum skin. Boles Aero aluminum travel trailers were central to the post-war recreational vehicle culture, the quintessential "canned ham" trailer of the mid-century American highway. Boles Manufacturing built and sold over 18,000 trailers between 1946 and 1980.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Entegra Coach</span> American manufacturer of luxury motorhomes

Entegra Coach is an American manufacturer of luxury motorhomes. Established in 2008 as a subsidiary of the Jayco Family of Companies, which is itself part of Thor Industries. Based in Middlebury, Indiana, Entegra Coach produces a variety of motorhomes, including luxury diesel pushers, gas Class A, Class C, Super C, and Class B motorhomes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starcraft RV</span> American manufacturer of recreational vehicle manufacturer

Starcraft RV is an American manufacturer of recreational vehicles (RVs) and a subsidiary of the Jayco Family of Companies, which is part of Thor Industries. Based in Shipshewana, Indiana, the company produces travel trailers and fifth wheels, with a history dating back to its founding in 1903.

References

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  18. Briggs, James. "Elkhart RV manufacturer Thor acquires rival Jayco". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
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  22. The, ZaneRay (2024-11-08). "Highland Ridge - More room. Less weight". THOR Industries. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
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  24. "Jayco Training Now Qualifies for RVTI Level 3 Certification - RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News". 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  25. "Jayco Unveils its Renovated Customer Service Facility - RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News". 2024-06-17. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
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See also