Lippert to Acquire RV Service Centers
Camping Connection has locations in Kissimmee
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowElkhart-based Lippert Components Inc. has announced plans to acquire the two service centers of Camping Connection, located in Florida and South Carolina. While financial details were not released, LCI says the RV service and repair centers will continue to operate under the Camping Connection brand.
As part of the deal, former Camping Connection President Rob Cochran will serve as director of service operations and development for all LCI Camping Connection service centers. LCI also has service centers in Goshen, as well as Gilbert, Arizona and Lakeland, Florida.
Chief Executive Officer Jason Lippert says the acquisition will improve the service experience for RV customers. April Klein-Carroll, vice president of customer support services for LCI, will oversee the company’s new service center model. She says adding service centers fits in with the company’s other initiatives.
"The RV market continues to grow and more people are making their way to the RV lifestyle for the first time," said Klein-Carroll. "It’s important for these customers to have access to service, but as the market has grown, the capacity of RV service and training of new industry service professionals has not kept up with the demand."
LCI says the service centers will also serve as regional training centers. Jason Lippert says the company plans to expand its regional service model, which will perpetuate industry growth.
The deal is the latest acquisition for the subsidiary of Elkhart-based Drew Industries Inc. (NYSE: DW), which last month announced a $12.5 million deal for the seating and chassis component business of Michigan-based Atwood Mobile Products Inc.