In today's Oregonian

[sharbra]

Coburg luxury coach maker announces layoffs
Posted by The Associated Press March 13, 2008 05:53AM
Categories: Breaking News, Business
Country Coach handed pink slips to 8 percent of its work force because of deteriorating market conditions.

The manufacturer of high-end motor homes declined to say the exact number of workers losing their jobs. But based on the most recent company statements about the size of its work force, the layoff affects about 100 people.

Company spokesman Matt Howard told The Register Guard newspaper that Country Coach needs to ensure it has the right number of employees for the market.

"We look at the industry hopefully being at the bottom of the curve and being ready for a resurgence," he said.

The RV industry as a whole saw sales fall 17 percent in January, according to market watcher Statistical Surveys. Gasoline prices have hit record highs recently, likely hurting business. The home mortgage crisis also affects RV makers because many buyers rely on home equity to finance the purchase of a motor home.

After years of job gains, Lane County's RV industry has retrenched in recent years. The transportation equipment sector -- comprised mostly of RV makers -- lost 400 jobs in 2006 and 300 jobs in 2007, dropping to about 4,100 total jobs, according to the state Employment Security Department.

Besides Country Coach, Lane County is home to Marathon Coach and Monaco Coach.

[sharbra]

Coburg luxury coach maker announces layoffs
Posted by The Associated Press March 13, 2008 05:53AM
Categories: Breaking News, Business
Country Coach handed pink slips to 8 percent of its work force because of deteriorating market conditions.

The manufacturer of high-end motor homes declined to say the exact number of workers losing their jobs. But based on the most recent company statements about the size of its work force, the layoff affects about 100 people.

Company spokesman Matt Howard told The Register Guard newspaper that Country Coach needs to ensure it has the right number of employees for the market.

"We look at the industry hopefully being at the bottom of the curve and being ready for a resurgence," he said.

The RV industry as a whole saw sales fall 17 percent in January, according to market watcher Statistical Surveys. Gasoline prices have hit record highs recently, likely hurting business. The home mortgage crisis also affects RV makers because many buyers rely on home equity to finance the purchase of a motor home.

After years of job gains, Lane County's RV industry has retrenched in recent years. The transportation equipment sector -- comprised mostly of RV makers -- lost 400 jobs in 2006 and 300 jobs in 2007, dropping to about 4,100 total jobs, according to the state Employment Security Department.

Besides Country Coach, Lane County is home to Marathon Coach and Monaco Coach.

[cb5300]

Could Country Coach be going the way of National and TS? We seem to be having a thinning of the herds.

[PintailRV]

nah country coach has way too strong of a product line and they stand behind it... they are just being smart and laying off as needed so they dont get way in the hole and have it be too late... they have some great new products coming out soon that will make their products stronger than ever... as well as they have a loyal customer base and they stand behind their products...

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by silverleaf-tim:
... as well as they have a loyal customer base and they stand behind their products... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>silverleaf-tim, I think that's true however it was and is also very true regarding National, Alfa and WRV customers. There's no telling financially speaking when a coach builder has to pull the plug. Remember Sunline? It's probably the best little travel trailer I have ever seen.

We're going to miss those guys. Who's next!? A large ticket item like a Country Coach still needs to pump up the jam in order to keep those pay checks flowing.

We can only wish them the best of luck, and keep em' coming!

[moisheh]

I probably should have started a new thread entitled" what were they thinking". I am sure that none of us, even those that own SOB's, want to see any manufacturer go down or even have troubles. I was at the FMCA St. Paul rally and saw all those veranda models. I could not believe what I saw. A dog in the making. Who dreamt up that silly idea. Is this a last ditch attempt to gain some market share. It seems that every RV forum on the net talks about the industry having to produce more fuel efficient units. I wonder how much weight that contraption adds to a coach??. Perhaps a number of years ago when sales were booming. But why now? It is no wonder this industry has so many problems. I have always respected this Company but it seems that when Bob Lee left things changed. If survival is the name of the game they have to get on track. At one time CC had a whole pack of first class engineers. More than most of the others. They should be doing R&D on something better than a porch!!

[CRAWLINYOTA]

I am kind of wondering what exactly your thinking??? the veranda is a sweet concept and has made great sales in a bad market...what exactly is it you do not like about the veranda? CC does have one of the best engineering teams in the business and it shows in their product...and just so you know the company is again a private company and im sure bob still has his 2 cents in what happens at CC....I would like to know what the R&D department over at Monaco or any other OEM has came up with recently thats been the next big thing since the veranda... survival is the name of the game and thats why CC has taken the proper steps to survive and continue making great products....

[big jimbo]

I have been in RV parks where it was a choice between having slide outs in the out position or being able to use my awning. Personally, I think anything more than two slide outs (on the driver's side) is too much.

The pictures of the Veranda, with the "patio" opened up over a stream are truely beautiful, but I have never had that particular campsite.

Don't get me wrong, I am a Country Coach owner and sincerely hope the company stays in business.

[HighwayRanger]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CRAWLINYOTA:
I am kind of wondering what exactly your thinking??? the veranda is a sweet concept and has made great sales in a bad market...what exactly is it you do not like about the veranda? CC does have one of the best engineering teams in the business and it shows in their product...and just so you know the company is again a private company and im sure bob still has his 2 cents in what happens at CC....I would like to know what the R&D department over at Monaco or any other OEM has came up with recently thats been the next big thing since the veranda... survival is the name of the game and thats why CC has taken the proper steps to survive and continue making great products.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well said!

[moisheh]

Crawlinyota and Highway Ranger:

Let's roll?? I dont think so:

Country Coach warns it may close for good in February
By Tim Christie

The Register-Guard

Published: Dec 31, 2008 01:52PM


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JUNCTION CITY — Country Coach executives have notified employees that the RV factory will shut down for good in two months if it can’t obtain new financing.

“Looking forward, due to recent and unexpected circumstances beyond the control of Country Coach, it now appears that Country Coach will be forced to permanently shut down unless it obtains additional financing on or before Feb. 28, 2009,” CEO Jay Howard said in a letter to employees, dated Dec. 30, obtained by The Register-Guard.

Even if the company is able to obtain funding, the company expects “mass layoffs” starting around March 1, Howard said.

In September, the company said it employed fewer than 800 employees. As recently as June 2006, the company said it had 1,700 workers and was planning to hire 200 more to help build two new models of motor coaches.

[Renipladlo]

http://www.registerguard.com/c...5064862-35/story.csp

Does not look good for CC. Always like their coaches, but we purchased an Alpine knowing they had gone under.

If we don't stop purchasing things made in China, and do start purchasing things made in the USA, we just might save our economy. I don't hold out for that though.

[moisheh]

It would be very sad for the whole industry to see CC go down. I doubt most of us realize just how bad the RV industry has become. Sales are next to non existant. In November Class A shipments for the whole industry were 400 units!!! Beaudry is very close to closing as is Lazy Days. If they both are gone Monaco will have even more problems.

[Daytona Coach]

Country Coach has been in financial difficulty for quite some time and came into this economic down-turn with a heavy debt load and probably limited cash reserves.

What you are seeing so far are companies who were in financial trouble to start with, now either failing or bailing. Damlier Benz sold Chrysler to a hedge fund because they were a huge cash drain. Circuit City was already set to go under and GM has been on the edge for the last several years.

Charles Darwin said only the strong survive. It's called "Natural Selection."

[Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat]

Feel worse for the 500 lost jobs.

Was talking to my cousin who lives in Ohio and over the last years their town has lost 6 GM plants and an appliance manufacturer. We wish them all the best.