WRV

[Joel & Mary]

I just read this post, hoping that it is not true. Want to start new topic, just in case it is.

Posted April 16, 2008 12:34 AM Hide Post
We were just told by an Alpine dealer this evening that WRV called all the employees in and closed the doors this afternoon 4/15/08. Will try and get more information tomorrow and up date...Hope it's not true

[Joel & Mary]

I just read this post, hoping that it is not true. Want to start new topic, just in case it is.

Posted April 16, 2008 12:34 AM Hide Post
We were just told by an Alpine dealer this evening that WRV called all the employees in and closed the doors this afternoon 4/15/08. Will try and get more information tomorrow and up date...Hope it's not true

[Sloopy57]

It is true that WRV has closed the doors. I spoke to one of the employees today.

[Virginia]

What in the world happened!! --- Everything seemed to be looking up - there was a message that Ron Frazier would not be coming as the Customer Service manager - or am I reading this wrong --- the Company closed the doors - permanently? I hope I am way off base!

[Joel & Mary]

I did not mean to spread alarm. I know nothing but what I read in the post under the discussion, WRV Cancelled appointment. The post was by PL KIDS.....

Fact is, we are driving north on the 5 heading to the northwest to spend time before the Homecoming Rally near Yakima. I am looking for info as this is hard to believe.

[Virginia]

WRV just became a sponsor of the forum and it did appear that they were monitoring the forum discussions - hopefully they will see this and give us the correct information.

We live in Tacoma and plan on going to the Rally too -

[VAGABONDMAN]

I spoke to an "ex" WRV employee this morning; he told me that they closed the doors yeserday afternoon. I have no specifics other than that.

[Rick M]

Just Talked to my sales rep @ Guaranty
He told me that WRV is continuing to complete the production on units on assembly line - but no new units will be produced. They are for sale with a couple of prospects. Maybe they could be picked up like Travel Supreme was just recently.
So I will be looking forward to my new 09 Alpine 40MDTS about mid May.
To bad = no more factory tours.

Hang in there - it should still work out. Alpine is still one of the best coaches in it's catagory.

Rick

[RoadRohrers]

Yikes!!! A company which has had at best an average record of building motorhomes right the first time with "happy, content" employees is now going to finish those on the line! The thought of one of those last units would scare me especially since warranties are going to be limited.

[Tom and Patty]

Let's hope it is not picked up by Monaco, If CC can stay health that might make a good marriage.

[cb5300]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom and Patty:
Let's hope it is not picked up by Monaco, If CC can stay health that might make a good marriage. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Why would you not want Monaco to pick up the line? My experence with Monaco has been mostly positive. They have gone out of their way to make any repairs right.

[Tom and Patty]

We bought our Alpine for the chassis and the fact that it didn't look like evey other MH going down the road. Monaco would more likely dump the chassis and Alpine would look like a HR. or Monaco. Nothing is wrong with those brands, it is just my preference. Some people buy GM's, Fords, Japanese, or German cars. JMHO

Monaco builds a good product, and they have economies of production that a smaller, low production builder, doesn't have.

Tiffin?

[cb5300]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom and Patty:
We bought our Alpine for the chassis and the fact that it didn't look like evey other MH going down the road. Monaco would more likely dump the chassis and Alpine would look like a HR. or Monaco. Nothing is wrong with those brands, it is just my preference. Some people buy GM's, Fords, Japanese, or German cars. JMHO

Monaco builds a good product, and they have eomonies of production that a smaller, low prodution builder, doesn't have.

Tiffin? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is the Alpine chassis really better? I've only owned 2 motor homes (both Monaco..2007 Dynasty and now a 2008 Signature) and both of these coaches drove almost as good as my Lexus. Customer service has been GREAT... By the way your shepherd looks outstanding, what bloodline is he/she from?

[EngineerMike]

I wouldn't gauge Monaco as a likely buyer FWIW. They have several brands, all built on production chassis's. The only thing attractive about WRV to them that I can see would be SmartBeds; trailer division is not a fit.

Country Coach would be a more likely buyer, tho Alpine would compete w/their lower trim lines. CC could make great use of SmartBeds fairly quickly the way they make their chassis frames. They wouldn't have any reason to buy the towables so Mmoy would have to find a separate buyer for that or take the write off against other income.

Forest River makes most sense to me as a partner. Alpine is above their two coach brands in trim level so it wouldn't compete there, and they could manage the towables similar to what Pilgrim had in mind (east & west coast operations to minimize cost). Forest River is owned by Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett) and could write a big check, tho they wouldn't pay Mmoy a happy price, not that anybody would after they shut down in this way.