"Whether I think it's healthy or not, the fact of the matter is, that is what it is. And I suspect when we look at future production numbers that RVIA supplies, we're probably going to see a migration of more unit production out of Elkhart County."

Elvie Frey of SunnyBrook RV, also portrays a realistic point often times missed or looked over based on good times / bad times... "I think one of the things that will happen out of this economic downturn is we'll again look at other options," Frey said. "I think it will help the whole local economy the more we become diverse and look at doing things beyond what we're accustomed to."

Clearly, what both men are telling us is we need to be focused on the future, and not expect to see again what we have seen in the past here in Elkhart County.

It is time for some of the movers and shakers of the past, and current who have remained to re-awake this giant (Elkhart County), along with new blood and plow this county into the 21st century, while maintaining a solid blue collar base. Working both ends of the labor market is crucial.

Frey, Pres. and CEO at SunnyBrook makes a very important observation, the relocation of Bayer and Whitehall played very much into the RV boom days.

What will be Elkhart County's next shacker businesses? Will they be locally owned with a commitment to stay, or will they once again be locally born, only to out-grow or community? Our community leaders, elected officials must become more long term focused.

I am conviced we have in place some of these leaders already, the problem I see is not everybody is on-board, some are too entrenched in the past, and comfortable with their status.

An old timer in the RV bussiness once told me, never take a glass coffee cup with you to work as it shows too much comfort, and he was right...

Barry Fox

BarryGFoxF@aol.com  

The RV industry will in fact rebound, just not as so many still envision it. Local impact in the industry has been shrunken over the years, a lot of money was made by some, which started attracting outside interest many years ago, and they bleed off of the industry to other areas of the country for many reasons.

The largest impact currently is the credit crunch, which in time will be resolved. I could sight many examples of early warning signs, that a shift was in the making and/or taking place long before the $4.00 fuel, and today’s current economic issues, plant after plant... The RV industry has been dealing with this for years. Money over the years has dulled the vision, and more importantly the willingness to discuss what was and is taking place.

Comfort, along with good salaries over the years has driven the need to relocate many operations. Some may even what to make comparisons to the automotive industry, when in fact there is no comparison. The RV industry would have been unionized years and years ago if cheap labor had been available, but it wasn’t.

A short perspective of which I speak, in the late 50's early 60's, people from KY, WV started arriving here in northern IN with coal mines shutting down, they took the dirty work in the foundries, and later moved into fiberglass, as native born Hoosiers moved up the food chain, then came the influx of Hispanics to fill the spots native KY and WV people had graduated out of, while all the time many of these new arrivals were becoming more educated (formally) then many native Hoosiers.

FarmerMike, a Yoder, I am sure with Amish roots, makes a very valid point with the education level of our valued hard working friends from the community. Work wise, ethic wise, not many could begin to hold a candle to many of these fine folks and their families. What FarmerMike is talking about is skill sets, not only for the Amish, but for every man and woman impacted by the turn of events in the county.

Let me just say this, Elkhart County is no longer the controlling RV Capitol of the World, or the United States... The shots of the industry are from outside Elkhart County.

The quicker people realize this, accept the facts as they are we will all be better off. I am sure I will be blasted by some, however it is time to move forward....

Barry Fox

BarryGFoxF@aol.com

busybecca,

Two things...

The numbers you quote are national, now look at Elkhart County numbers in relationship to the picture you are painting. At one time Elkhart County probably produced 80 to 90% of the RV product in years gone by. Today, depending on who's figures you choose to believe, it has been reduced to anywhere between 50 and 65% and continues to shrik in numbers.

As for firings, let go, forced out..., You won't find many sucessful people in this industry who hasn't been there, done that... It has been the nature of the beast.

You sight Liegl's Coachman years of past, yet fail to acknowledge Advantage, Cobra, Rockwood and the force out that created his hardened balls in the industry and the formation of Forest River... Yes many people tend to forget details and fail, as there are those who remember well and learn...

My postings here have been a bout understanding and learning from the past, and trying to move forward...

Some have learned, some will learn, and some will never learn as the majority of us tend to move forward and focus on the future. To look back is good, as long as it is done in proper prospective. It is easy to mix in national numbers here, but what we are talking about, and what people care about is Elkhart County...

Barry Fox

BarryGFoxF@aol.com