New QC Initiative and other info

[ExcelRVGuy]

It was mentioned in earlier threads that beginning January 1, P.I. has begun a new quality control initiative. With times being what they were for the past 1 1/2 years our main focus was on having every available body assigned to producing what few orders we had in house.

With those times now in the rear view mirror (hopefully for the forseeable future) we were able to hire enough help to start going from defense to offense.

Bryan Smith, a 12 year company team member, has once again taken the reins of Quality Control Manager. Bryan checks every aspect of the production process in ways that we weren't even doing before the slow down. Bryan has full control to stop the production process until a deficiency has been corrected. He is doing a great job and has great enthusiasm, as well as tremendous pride in putting his stamp of approval on the finished product.

Our first units have been hitting our dealer's lots and we have already received unsolicited calls about how nice the units "checked in" upon delivery.

ON ANOTHER TOPIC:

These are becoming very exciting times again for Excel. Both retail and dealer orders have increased substantially. We are working feverishly on so many product improvements it is hard to keep track of all of them.

The overwhelming popularity of the new Winslow fifth wheels, (of which we now have 6 models) has put us in a position to make some changes sooner than we had originally anticipated.

Effective immediately, we are DISCONTINUING THE “RT” AND “CLASSIC” lines of Excel Fifth Wheels. The most popular RT floorplan, the R28RKW has been moved to the WINSLOW line-up (with some improvements to the floor-plan). This decision is based SOLELY on the fact that we are not taking enough orders to generate substantial runs in those product lines. It is not a reflection at all that the RT or CLASSIC have not been quality lines for P.I.

Along with the many changes that we are making, the HICKORY wood interior has dominated over 70% of our total production since its inception. Therefore, effective immediately,,,, we will NO LONGER OFFER OAK!

We appreciate each of you and hope you are enjoying your winter travels, wherever they are leading you. For those of you who didn't migrate to warmer climates........ It's time to get your snow shovels back out.

Thanks again,
Bryan

[greg0rn]

Bryan,

Congratulation of the changes you implemented. Particularly I like the fact that Peterson will have less models to deal with, and therefore it should be easier to fish out weak spots in manufacturing and correct them. The same goes to new quality control position.

With fewer models to deal with, I hope that hard countertop with splashboards will be available in Winslow line.

Regarding hickory: as much as I like its color and grain, those huge open knots I noticed on Winslow that is on display in Mesa, Az were quite discouraging. My wife complained that those open crevices will collect lots of dust difficult to clean up. Truly, just a couple of better looking hickory planks would change her mind. We then went to see new Cameos with their exquisite cherry woodwork. My impression is that they fine sand between coats of varnish to achieve such perfect finish. Enough said though.

I very much like Winslow 28 floor plan. What a perfect trailer for smaller campgrounds of Pacific NW! The quality of workmanship appears to be excellent as well. Can hardly wait for the moment when we'll be ready to talk in greater details about ordering one.

All in all, congratulations to Peterson for beautifully built trailers.

[ExcelRVGuy]

Greg,

The Winslow is available with the optional "Brazilian Cherry Stained Maple" interior. It is all fine sanded without imperfections.

Bryan

[rockintom]

Bryan,

So glad to hear about the new QC plan. As far the hickory, we asked for a wood with just a bit more warm color a couple of years ago, and you have given it to us. Thanks! BTW, I don't mind dusting those old knot holes!!! They add some natural class and Lord knows, I need some class! rockin'

[Jim & Bona]

Bryan,

Kudos on the implementation of the QC Initiative and the assignment of Bryan Smith as Quality Control Manager. I know, from our offline "discussions", that you are very committed and personally involved in creating a new quality paradigm at PI. I trust that you will perservere through the challenges which will inevitably arise during this journey.

And, it's most encouraging to hear that business is continuing to pick up. We never doubted that PI would be a survivor of this tough time for the RV industry. Even better, the company is taking this opportunity to recreate itself!

[BDunlap]

Bryan,

Thanks for the update on quality control. I am picking up my new Winslow 28 next week from Kathy in Moriarty. I will keep you posted. I have a long PDI list that I sent Kathy but anticipate everything should be ok. As far as the hickory cabinets go, it was one of the major points that sold me on the Winslow when I talked to you at the RV show in Albuquerque last fall. I absolutely love the look of the rustic wood in the cabinets.

I think everyone on the forum would greatly appreciate it if you and Bryan Smith keep us informed on what is happening with quality control. Please let us, as daily users of the Excel trailers, know if there is anything we can do to help you.

Thanks,

Bill Dunlap
Mammoth Lakes, CA

[janieD]

Bryan,
We just got our Limited 30RSO in November and it is beautiful! Bryan Smith was the one who gave us our factory tour last July and between that and our discussions with you it just cemented our decision to order our 5th wheel. Bryan's knowledge base and commitment to a quality product definitely came through in the tour. Though we do not expect to go through this experience without a few issues (we appreciated your comment about how driving an rv around is like taking your home through an earthquake zone). We certaily feel that we have a product that is backed up by a company that cares and a dealer that is there for us. Thanks and it always good to read your posts on what is happening at PI.
Janie Dean

[khoenig]

Bryan,
The Hickory wood is what appealed to Sarah and I we are looking forward to full timing in our 36GKE at the end of March. Tom at Bob & Jo's has been great to work with and the factory tour is unquestionably a must visit for anyone looking to buy and Excel. In my mind it cemented the decision to by Excel. The folks there were very gracious and knowledgeable about the product. We look forward to many years of Full Timing in our Excel.
Ken Hoenig

[MonacoMama]

khoenig...and we look forward to your many posts in the future here on the forum!

[Rsteabag]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExcelRVGuy It was mentioned in earlier threads that beginning January 1, P.I. has begun a new quality control initiative. With times being what they were for the past 1 1/2 years our main focus was on having every available body assigned to producing what few orders we had in house. With those times now in the rear view mirror (hopefully for the forseeable future) we were able to hire enough help to start going from defense to offense. Bryan Smith, a 12 year company team member, has once again taken the reins of Quality Control Manager. Bryan checks every aspect of the production process in ways that we weren't even doing before the slow down. Bryan has full control to stop the production process until a deficiency has been corrected. He is doing a great job and has great enthusiasm, as well as tremendous pride in putting his stamp of approval on the finished product. Our first units have been hitting our dealer's lots and we have already received unsolicited calls about how nice the units "checked in" upon delivery. ON ANOTHER TOPIC: These are becoming very exciting times again for Excel. Both retail and dealer orders have increased substantially. We are working feverishly on so many product improvements it is hard to keep track of all of them. The overwhelming popularity of the new Winslow fifth wheels, (of which we now have 6 models) has put us in a position to make some changes sooner than we had originally anticipated. Effective immediately, we are DISCONTINUING THE “RT” AND “CLASSIC” lines of Excel Fifth Wheels. The most popular RT floorplan, the R28RKW has been moved to the WINSLOW line-up (with some improvements to the floor-plan). This decision is based SOLELY on the fact that we are not taking enough orders to generate substantial runs in those product lines. It is not a reflection at all that the RT or CLASSIC have not been quality lines for P.I. Along with the many changes that we are making, the HICKORY wood interior has dominated over 70% of our total production since its inception. Therefore, effective immediately,,,, we will NO LONGER OFFER OAK! We appreciate each of you and hope you are enjoying your winter travels, wherever they are leading you. For those of you who didn't migrate to warmer climates........ It's time to get your snow shovels back out. Thanks again, Bryan

Bryan, sorry to hear that you have discontinued the OAK as that was what one of the things we liked about the Excel. Just another thing that has disapointed us in some of the direction the company is heading in.

Dick

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rsteabag Bryan, sorry to hear that you have discontinued the OAK as that was what one of the things we liked about the Excel. Just another thing that has disapointed us in some of the direction the company is heading in. Dick

I agree on the OAK...

[Milkman*]

The Brazilian Cherry Stained Maple is a very nice finish.

[KU9L]

We just sold black walnut, oak, shag & regular hickory, maple, ash, and cottonwood trees from our farm. I grew up in a log cabin we built in 1974 when I was age 13, so we got used to real wood in our home. One thing that delayed us from getting into RVing is that entry level brands looked so fake and trashy that would never have met our minimum standards. Visiting our first Excel totally turned around our opinion of RV's in general. We do favorite the hickory though as it is a high contrast wood that is beautiful in its differences from wood that is more plain jane. It isn't for everyone, but it sure does please a backwoods hillbilly like me!

Dave

[janieD]

We ordered the hickory and love it!