Byron RV Industry May Rebound

09/09/2009

After several months of a sales slump, according to some in the RV and trailer industry, things may finally be picking up.

The RV industry reported in August last year, shipments of RVs fell 23 percent compared to the year before.

"This is the RV Mecca," said Jeff Cox, Sales Manager for Midstate RV in Byron. "You have several dealerships on this exit. So people are willing to drive 200-300 miles to have a variety of dealers to shop at."

But Cox said last year, that was not exactly the case.

Last year, the company cut 24 of their 75 employees because of a drop in sales of about 15 RVs a month.

At the opening of the new Redneck Trailer Supplies Center in Byron, company President Colin Brady said the trailer and RV industries have taken a hit over the past 18 months, but he thinks they will make a comeback, most likely within the next 9 months.

"That's why we invested here," said Brady. "That's why we came here. So we're hoping economics with turn around and be good for us."

Redneck Trailer Supplies estimates that not only will it generate 10 jobs for the area, but it will also invest $5 million in Peach County.

Charles Sims, with the Peach County Development Authority said, "What goes down must come back up. And we expect things to continue to improve. We're seeing an improvement now."

Cox said the opening of the Redneck Center in Byron is an optimistic sign. He said after sales declined, Midstate sold about 45 RVs a month; since March they have sold about 50.

Because of the rise in sales, they have been able to hire 6 new employees since that steady turnaround in March.

President of Redneck Trailer Supplies, Colin Brady, said they chose Byron because of the closeness to customers, its location right off Interstate-75, and the affordable price of land.

They plan to hire ten more employees within the next 2 years.