Doubtful. I don't believe any PUPs are built in Mexico now, though I could be wrong. This was a shutdown, not a relocation. Possible another company buys the name but whether they'll build them with the same quality and features, I doubt.
I guess Coleman will go the way of Apache and become a favorite classic brand that's no longer made.
I would have to agree. Coleman really doesn't make anything, just sells their name. If no one buys the plant and camper specs than the Coleman name will be sold and put on another brand camper. They have been having financial troubles for a few years now and its not just the economy. I think they have been run poorly.
Someone should pick that up quick, Coleman pop ups are too popular for someone not to. Probably one of the big ones like Thor, Forest River, or someone else. The Coleman hybrids are the same exact everything as our Aerolite, all built by Dutchmen in the same plant with different decals. And that Coleman name makes the list price go up about $3000 or so. Makes me feel bad for the workers there though, Somerset is close to us and jobs are hard to find around here. I actually knew a guy who went through the change from Coleman to Fleetwood, then probably FTCA if he stayed there, and if he did now he'll have to deal with this. I find it hard to believe that the dealers did not know this was coming. I was talking to one of the Coleman dealers last weekend at the Pittsburgh RV show. They had 5 or 6 pop ups there and were pushing them hard. If someone would have bought one I guess FTCA closing down would shoot the crap out of the factory warranty? Hopefully the dealer stands behind it. That is probably hoping for a lot.
[quote author=JoeCamper link=topic=470.msg2513#msg2513 date=1295578897]
Coleman really doesn't make anything, just sells their name. If no one buys the plant and camper specs than the Coleman name will be sold and put on another brand camper. They have been having financial troubles for a few years now and its not just the economy. I think they have been run poorly.
It's kind of a sad commentary to a once great little American company that once had over 1500 employees. From the time old W.C. Coleman first began making lanterns and on to son Sheldon taking over the company. Making cook stoves, to ice coolers, to tents and an array of outdoor & camping goods. Sheldon was not even cold in the ground in 1988 until the successors had already began dismantling most of the manufacturing and whoring away the fine Coleman name by selling the rights to it away to the higgest bidder.
Kind of parallels the Wal-Mart story. When old Sam Walton was at the helm he went to great lengths to have American made products in their stores and when he was just getting cool in the grave his successors couldn't get in bed with the Chinese fast enough! Very sad for the good of this country.
THURMONT, Md. -- Beckley's Camping Center announced today it has purchased all surplus Coleman popup campers as well as most remaining parts from Blackstreet Capital.
Citing a slowly recovering economy, Blackstreet Capital announced Jan. 20 it had closed the FTCA manufacturing plant in Somerset, Penn., which made the Coleman trailers.
Kelly Shanholtzer, owner of Beckley's Camping Center, told RV Daily Report he wanted the trailers because of their reputation for quality, and he wanted RV dealers around the nation to continue servicing the units.
Beckley's bought all Coleman parts that came in boxes, bins or bags and had a part number associated with them.
Dealers interested in ordering the parts or trailers may call Shanholtzer at 800.481.3309.
Shanholtzer told RV Daily Report the Coleman line of campers were exceptionally well made by FTCA. However, when FTCA acquired the line from Fleetwood Folding Trailers in May 2008, the company also assumed a warranty liability that proved insurmountable to overcome, he added.
"The market for folding campers is still strong, although it is no where close to what it was before the recession," said Shanholtzer. "Our customers really liked the Coleman campers. It's a shame the company couldn't work things out."
NEWS: While on a call for other reasons, I spoke to Beckleys and one other large Coleman Dealer who both told me that after an RVDA conference call between dealers the other day, all dealer will have access to the parts thru Beckley's and they have no problem selling throughout the dealer base. No doubt they are benefitting from it since they most likey purchased them for pennies on the dollar but a free flow of parts, while they last, and service for our customers is a win-win for everyone.
I was also told that two companies have purchased the patents for Coleman parts and will be manufacturing them for the public within 9 month to a year. They will include the roofs, door, steps and lift systems.
There is also a large insurance company that has worked a deal to offer 2 year warranties with the purchase of all new Coleman campers that are still on the dealer lots. They are not able to offer it with existing purchases but are considering selling one seperate.
Besides all coleman parts, Beckley's has also purchased just under 240 Coleman campers from the closed busines that will be listed for sale.
The warranty on them will include the 3rd party parts warranties. Most include Frig, A/C, Furance, Axle, Radio, LP system, plumbing and electric system, Breaker box all with 2 year warranties.
The coleman specific items: lift system, door and roof will come with no warranty.
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