NASHVILLE, Tenn.– On a day when the sun went dark and street lights came on in the afternoon, the spotlight was shining brightly on Jayco dealers Monday evening at the manufacturer’s annual Dealer Homecoming held at the Music City Center.
“We’re on the cusp of some really exciting times, and I know that’s music to your ears,” President and CEO Derald Bontrager told the record crowd of some 500 dealers at the beginning of the awards ceremony.
Bontrager cited the influx of finances since the company was bought by Thor Industries about a year ago, and pointed to the company’s efforts to increase production while maintaining quality as it struggles to keep up with dealer demand for products.
Jayco, like most other manufacturers, currently has a sizeable backlog of units ordered by dealers, but not yet built. The company has added two 100,000-square-foot facilities, and increased its production capacity 60 percent in the past three years and has plans to increase by another 30 percent by year’s end, Bontrager said.
After that buildup, Jayco honored its top dealerships, capped off with the Founders Award. The top award went to Traveland RV Superstore, with centers in Langley, British Columbia, and Airdrie, Alberta.
Albany RV of Latham, N.Y., was honored as the No. 1 Overall Jayco Dealer. The Top Towable Dealer went to Crestview RV Center of Buda, Texas, and Selma, Texas. The Top Motorized Dealer went to Dixie RV Superstores with locations in Hammond, La., Breaux Bridge, La., and Defuniak Springs, Fla.
The No. 1 Camping Trailer Dealer was Camping World of Albuquerque, N.M., and Anthony Texas. The No. 1 Travel Trailer Dealer was Crestview RV of Buda, Texas, and Selma, Texas. The No. 1 Fifth Wheel Dealer was Richardson’s RV Centers of Menifee, Riverside and Temecula, Calif. The No. 1 Toy Hauler Dealer was Broadmoor RV of Pasco, Wash. The No. 1 Class C Dealer was Dixie RV Superstores with locations in Hammond, La., Breaux Bridge, La., and Defuniak Springs, Fla. The No. 1 Class A Dealer was Albany RV of Latham, N.Y.
At the end of the evening, Bontrager announced that the 2018 Dealer Trip, which will mark the 50th anniversary of Jayco, will offer dealers a chance to visit Thailand and Singapore. The annual trip was started by Jayco in 1974 to encourage dealers to boost sales during the U.S. energy crisis.