By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Vigilant/Argus
EDWARDSBURG -- Georgie Boy's first-ever dealer seminar "exceeded all expectations," according to the Edwardsburg-based company's President Pat Terveer.
The seminar set in Tucson, Ariz., with the theme, "Standing Tall in the Desert," produced sales of $25 million and orders are still being received.
Georgie Boy's seminar created its largest backlog since 1999.
Georgie Boy, a major motorhome manufacturer and a subsidiary of Coachmen Industries Inc., is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Georgie Boy produces gas-engine Class A motorhomes under the Cruise Master, Landau, Pursuit and Velocity brand names, and the Cruise Air XL and Bellagio rear diesel models.
Adding to the excitement generated by the seminar, Terveer announced that Georgie Boy's retail sales during the first five months of the year were up 14 percent compared to the same time period from last year.
He also said shipments to dealers were up 6.2 percent from January through May, easily putting them above the industry average of 2.3 percent.
Georgie Boy dealers viewed the 2004 product lineup and attended presentations detailing product changes and enhancements, marketing plans for the coming year and operational changes within the company designed to improve quality and production efficiency.
Awards were given to Georgie Boy's Top 10 dealers, and the company also honored its longest serving dealer, McGaugh RV of Springdale, Ark. McGaugh began selling Georgie Boys in 1972.
Product highlights included a second triple slideout Cruise Master, which features a "bath-and-a-half."
This new floor plan includes a shower, wardrobe and sink in the rear bedroom, and a toilet and sink near the middle of the unit, creating more bathroom space.
Other refinements for 2004 models include providing a choice of colors for the ultra-leather sofas, natural cherry hardwoods and a dark metallic base coat for units with full body paint.
Also on full-body paint models, the unique Diamond Shield front-cap protection film is now standard.
Diamond Shield eliminates paint chips and damage caused by stones, bugs, road salt, abrasions and weathering; it has a high gloss finish which is non-yellowing; and it's easy to clean and maintain.
Ryan Hollan, director of sales and marketing for Harberson Swanston in Holiday, Fla., agreed with Terveer's assessment.