TUCSON – In remarks at the RVIA’s Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, RVIA Chairman of the Board Derald Bontrager told members that RV shipments are expected to continue to grow in 2016 and that the Association is as robust as the surging RV market.
In looking ahead to next year, Bontrager reported that RV wholesale shipments are anticipated to reach 381,800 units, a rise of two percent over the 2015 total. This projection comes on the heels of a year that saw RV shipments increase five percent to 374,246 units.
The forecasted total is more than double the industry’s recession low – and would be the highest mark since 2006.
“The RV market posted another strong year in 2015 and is on track to improve upon those numbers next year,” said Bontrager, “And, as Chairman of RVIA, I’m proud to report that our association is as healthy and hardy as the industry it represents.”
He also noted that RVIA works across a wide range of areas to achieve the association’s mission to promote and protect the RV industry and its members and shared a video reporting on key accomplishments within those areas.
Bontrager also specifically focused on two key areas where RVIA was successful last year.
He reported that the recently announced proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that redefines the RV exemption from manufactured housing standards.
“This new rule is great news for the RV industry and RV enthusiasts,” said Bontrager. “It provides a critical solution to the regulatory uncertainty that has worried RV manufacturers, dealers and campgrounds for decades.”
Bontrager also said that RVIA’s recertification as an accredited standards developer by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) was a significant development for the industry. “To maintain this accreditation, RVIA was subject to a stringent audit process and the results were exemplary,” he said. “The most critical work we do as an association is in the standards arena. This work is at the heart of our self-regulation as an industry and constitutes a valued member benefit.”
“Our association’s and industry’s greatest strength is unity. It is an incredible asset that we are able to work collectively on issues to achieve success in protecting and growing the RV market,” Bontrager concluded.
He continued, “These are two examples of how RVIA works collectively as members to achieve common goals. This core ideal of unity is the foundation upon which our association is built and is the reason that we will continue to be successful in the future.
More coverage from the RVIA Membership Meeting: Click here to read about the $500,000 overhaul to the National Trade Show. Click here to read about the annual award recipients.