Rolling with the Punches

AS THE RV INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO BOOM, PRODUCT AVAILABILITY PRESENTS A MAJOR CHALLENGE

BY STEPHANIE ORNELAS

The pandemic proved many things for the industry—the power of digital, the human necessity to be outdoors and just how adaptable the American office can be. But as COVID restrictions ease up across the country, consumers are desperate to travel.

And although some might still be avoiding airports and hotels for a while, others are looking to a different kind of getaway—one that gets them on the road—thus, leaving a swift demand in RV sales. The only problem is the demand is starting to outweigh the supply. Couple that with spiking lumber prices and you have manufacturers and product managers scrambling for solutions. “People are buying. The outlook for the RV industry looks favorable for many years, but we’re having a lot of difficulty getting materials,” said Nathan Klomp, Director of Business Development and Marketing for MJB Wood. “You’ve got guys waiting for panels and doors and other materials to support this demand and it’s really presenting a challenge.”

Klomp went on to explain that it’s not uncommon for vehicles to pile up as material shortages continue to be an issue. “I’ve seen lots here with dozens of RVs sitting around waiting for their materials and its mind blowing,” he said.

To combat this, the company recently broke ground for its new 500,000 sq. ft. production and distribution facility in Elkhart County, IN. The facility, according to Klomp, “is a result of increased demand and will support growth within the RV industry, as well as additional customer segments throughout the region.”

Renee Gillis, Director of Design for Heartland RVs, echoed Klomp’s concerns, highlighting the shortage in lumber products. “The boom of RVs sales right now has caused a shortage in many lumber/wood products as well as many other materials that are used to develop the units,” said Gillis.

“The RV industry is definitely booming due to the aftereffects of the pandemic,” Gillis said. “I would imagine there is a large portion of people who used to travel by other means who are now fearful of the crowded airports, airplanes or cruise ships.” To keep up with demand, Gillis explained that constant communication with customers and manufacturers about products and the design process is crucial.

“Each project that I am involved with has different needs, such as budgets, color scheme and size constraints. All in all, the manufacturer

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websites, proto-parts and samples all play a big role in the receiving and final selections of laminate products,” Gillis said.

Designers like Gillis are using the demand to hone-in on favored materials and trends such as shaker cabinet door styles. “Those are all over the place in the RV world just as this style is in high demand residentially,” said Gillis. “The internet and popular shows about renovations have bridged the RV interiors closer to the residential market compared to years ago when we were at least three years behind residential. Today, we can pull up endless amounts of pictures of styles/ ideas at our fingertips that keep RV designer minds fresh with what the masses are using in their homes, etc.”

Touching on some other material trends, according to Gillis, mixtures of finishes are also popular, such as painted woods used with reclaimed woods, and shiny finishes mixed with matte finishes. “Metal finishes in the cabinet hardware, lighting and other trims in the unit are not always black anymore. Black is still predominant as accent colors for these items, however, copper-like colors and brass in small doses give some warmth to the lighter/brighter interiors that are out. High contrast is still popular within interiors (using blacks with whites, darks with lights, to create ‘pop’ and adds interest and depth to the scheme.”

Rachel Kornhardt, designer for Schattdecor, touched on the demand for lightweight and flexible furniture that provides consumers with use and multi-functionality. “There is a major shift towards flexible living spaces that are adaptable, resilient, and wear-resistant. This means a demand for super lightweight and modular furniture that provides consumers with ease of use and multi-functionality, making our homes as versatile and well-rounded as we are.”

She continued, “Fresh, simplistic decors such as light wood tones, metallics or textile reproductions remain on trend, especially those with a handcrafted look. Color trends show how we draw comfort from nature, bringing the outside in by incorporating earthy red and brown tones in combination with natural-looking woodgrains to add warmth and depth to living spaces.”

Omnova has been a prominent player in the RV industry for almost 40 years and is another industry giant weighing in on the RV surge. The company supports the industry with attractive,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 › “People are buying. The outlook for the RV industry looks favorable for many years, but we’re having a lot of difficulty getting materials. You’ve got guys waiting for panels and doors and other materials to support this demand and it’s really presenting a challenge.”

NATHAN KLOMP, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING FOR MJB WOOD

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“There is a major shift towards flexible living spaces that are adaptable, resilient, and wear-resistant. This means a demand for super lightweight and modular furniture that provides consumers with ease of use and multifunctionality, making our homes as versatile and well-rounded as we are.”

RACHEL KORNHARDT, DESIGNER FOR SCHATTDECOR

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functional, and economical Paper, 2D, 3D, surf(x) 3D and specialty laminates in a broad range of pattern designs, textures, finishes, constructions and performance features.

The company recently shared a study by the RV Industry Association with Surface & Panel that explained how the driving force in RV sales is not actually related directly to COVID, but the desire for outdoor exploration, family travel and the flexibility of remote school/ work. And according to the study, 56 million Americans plan to go RVing this summer in an RV they rent, own, or borrow.

With the demand in RV sales continuing to soar, marketing and product experts like Klomp candidly agree that the future of material availability is still uncertain, but nevertheless, feel that things will look up. “It’s happening in every corner of the world right now,” explained Klomp. “But I’m confident that things will stabilize and materials will come back.”

One thing is for sure, industry professionals are finding that having solid relationships—with customers, clients, and employees—is more important than ever before. “What’s really helped us get through this is quality partnerships,” said Klomp. “Our vendors are committed to us and we’re committed to them. It’s important for them to know that we aren’t going to just drop them as soon as the demand stops. We were here before this demand and we will be here after. In this market especially, long-term relationships really do matter.” s p