Started in 1968 on a Farm in Middlebury, Ind., Jayco is Now the Largest Privately-Owned RV Manufacturer in North America

In 2008 Jayco, Inc., manufacturer of America’s Most Liveable RVs™, will usher in its 40th anniversary as the largest privately-owned RV manufacturer in North America and celebrate its success of being among the most successful companies in the recreation vehicle market.

“Celebrating 40 years is an exciting milestone for all of us at Jayco,” said Wilbur Bontrager, chairman and chief executive officer at Jayco. “We have seen our company grow literally from a shop in a barn on my father’s farm to the largest privately-owned RV manufacturer in North America. We believe two main things have been key to our success: our commitment to building high quality RVs and the company culture that has continued to honor our founding values despite our massive growth.”

Jayco is making plans for several 40th anniversary events that will be held in appreciation for dealer and customer support throughout the last four decades. The company will kick off celebrations at its annual Dealer Homecoming meeting July 16-18, 2007 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Va. Special 40th anniversary events will continue through July 2008.

This year’s Homecoming, appropriately themed “Making History Together,” will offer a rear-view look at the history and legacy of Jayco, as well as highlight its advancements in product development throughout the years. Jayco will display several of its vintage RVs, an original 1968 camping trailer, a 1972 travel trailer, a 1979 fifth wheel and a 1978 motorhome.

Started on a farm in Middlebury, Ind. in 1968, Jayco initially produced a single-model fold down camper with the help of 15 employees. Today the company operates two manufacturing plants in Middlebury, Ind. and Twin Falls, Idaho, building several types of RVs under 15 different brand names and employing more than 1,700 people. In addition, Jayco has a highly-respected distribution network consisting of more than 300 dealers in the U.S. and Canada.

About Jayco, Inc.

Jayco, Inc. is the largest privately held manufacturer of recreation vehicles in North America. The company builds and markets camping trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers and motorhomes under the Jay Series, Baja, Select, Jay Flight, Jay Feather, Eagle, Designer, Octane ZX, Recon ZX, Melbourne, Greyhawk, and Seneca brand names. For more information call 1-800-RV-JAYCO, visit www.jayco.com, or write Jayco, Inc., P.O. Box 460, Middlebury, Ind., 46540.

Posted on August 09, 2007