Innovators in the RV sector are finding ways to avoid devastating cyclical lows in the economy, such as those seen throughout the Great Recession, according to Economic Development Corp. of Elkhart County Chief Executive Officer Mark Dobson.
Dobson told Inside Indiana Business’ Gerry Dick that the industry may be carving “future lows out of the industry."
"You're seeing supply-chain effeciencies being developed, where suppliers are providing the inputs necessary for the industry to succeed - better supply chain management - that sort of thing," Dobson said in the recorded interview.
The industry finished the year strong with more than 28,000 units shipped during the month to complete its best December since 2005. For the year, RV shipments totaled nearly 375,000, an almost five percent increase compared to 2014. RV shipments have risen year-to-year annually since the end of the recession.
"We have jobs available; we need to expand our workforce to keep up with the growing demand, and it's a sustainable demand, so you're not seeing the seasonality such a factory like it once was in the industry," Dobson said.
Dobson says many factors have come together to boost the industry, including improved supply chain efficiencies and management, more consumers entering their prime spending years and a string of industry consolidations. According the EDC, Elkhart County ranks 2nd in the state and 14th in the nation in terms of its work force connected to the manufacturing sector.
RV production isn't the only industry factored into those figures, but the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau says half of all RVs on the road today were built in the county.