Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-04-2008, 03:59 PM   #1
Rivet Master
 
StreamNTyme's Avatar
 
2007 25' Safari FB SE
2000 30' Excella
1999 30' Excella 1000
Low Country , South Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 820
Images: 27
financial condition of airstream company

Has anyone heard anything about the financial condition of Airstream in this economy?
__________________
StreamNTyme
StreamNTyme is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 04:10 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
CanoeStream's Avatar

 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud , Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
Images: 19
Blog Entries: 3
I don't know that this question has one answer. The answers may be no more exact than:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f224...ted-46029.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f314...mes-45973.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...yle-44188.html

It all comes down to Thor. Thor Industries Inc. News - The New York Times. You'll find the boardrooms look at this over the long run. And in 6-12 months the view should be more clear. My opinion? Airstream is a niche product but it sells itself with a modest amount of marketing. Already got an Airstream? No problem mon...

At least if corporate earnings go to suppliers of food, I hope it's not Campbell Soup that picks up the Twinkie pieces. Sorry -- lame Beatrice fears just below the surface.
__________________
Bob

5 meter Langford Nahanni

CanoeStream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 04:12 PM   #3
Moderator
 
jcanavera's Avatar

 
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton , Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,467
Images: 143
Send a message via AIM to jcanavera Send a message via Skype™ to jcanavera
Nope, but what I would be worrying about more is the financial condition of dealers. If they slip under then Airstream loses an outlet and that ultimately impacts them.

Airstream's decision to drop the motorhome line may have been a pretty smart move. You wonder how companies like Winnebago whose entire product line is based on fossil fueled motors can survive for long.

If I'm right about my Thor history, Airstream was the economic engine that originally provided the earnings for Thor to branch out into other product lines.
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
jcanavera is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 04:18 PM   #4
3 Rivet Member
 
cammur's Avatar
 
2005 25' Safari
Roseville , California
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 237
Thx, Canoe, for a nice NYTimes summary page on Thor. I didn't realize the Times was making that sort of effort on its business pages.

Note the November 4th report of Thor earnings & sales - way down but cash appears strong. They say they can weather things, but what else can they say.
__________________
Cam
2005 25' Safari SS
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Turbodiesel
WBCCI #3580 - Region 12 NorCal
AIR #8752
Roseville, CA
cammur is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 04:30 PM   #5
4 Rivet Member
 
hookedonclassic's Avatar
 
Fond du Lac , Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 396
Images: 23
Teton Homes closed doors and they made one of best high end 5's. There will be others that will close before it's over. Hopefully, not AS.
__________________
Rich
2010 43' Newmar Dutch Aire
formerly 2006 34' Classic

Changing the World One Child at a Time
www.compassion.com

hookedonclassic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 04:30 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
wheel interested's Avatar
 
2007 23' International CCD
Lapeer , Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,082
Blog Entries: 2
Still... I suppose it is vanity but Airstream is not just another line of SOBs, and I think it would be wise not to hold it equal to bottom line statistics. I know nothing but suspect that cranking them out and exercising cost controls runs paralell to quality control issues. Scarf up other lines of RVs...OK... but put them all under the same status quo for sales verses costs and Airstream has suffered needlessly because their base was established on qualitity and reputation and not on volume and profits.
__________________
Caroljb



photography
wheel interested is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 04:45 PM   #7
Rivet Master
 
TomW's Avatar
 
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,021
Images: 4
Yes, they will still make those

Airstream is not a company per se. As Canoe_Stream mentioned, it is now part of a bigger company who makes LOTS of travel trailers.

My take is that the present owner recognizes Airstream as a flagship brand, and will not allow it's extension into luxury travel trailers to keep it's head below water for too long should Airstream's individual returns not keep pace with all the SOBs the company also puts out.

Tom
TomW is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 04:58 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Dewey , Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,025
Images: 1
One Word Thor

Airstream was the seed company that set up the Thor Corporation in the RV Industry. They have grown from modest beginnings to the largest RV Corporation in the World.

Yes, Fleetwood was once the big boy on the block. But Thor passed them by. Fleetwood made many, many, many administrative and management decissions that imploded the company.

Airstream like any RV Manufacturer in today's economic climate are hurt by what's happening. Because the RV Industry is in a different menu, they will not suffer as badly as the American auto industry.

The American RV Industry will need to survive the credit market, there is little or none; get over 2nd home mortgage loans, and quickie deals.

Airstream, if any, of Thor's products has a longevity and recognition unlike any other product being offerer.

Tough times, yes! Funeral, no!

Dale
PeeWee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 05:12 PM   #9
Site Team
 
azflycaster's Avatar

 
2002 25' Safari
Dewey , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,683
Images: 62
Blog Entries: 1
Thor sold one of it's lines (ThorCalifornia) but still has many others including the one that got them started, Airstream. One big plus for Thor is the Commercial Bus business which is made up of 3 manufactures. When fuel prices shot up earlier this year their orders increased. Thor may be forced to do some more trimming of it's RV business, but I would think that Airstream will survive.
__________________

Richard

Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
azflycaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 05:13 PM   #10
2 Rivet Member
 
2008 31' Classic
Sweet Valley , Pennsylvania
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 92
Airstream factory is shut down for 5 weeks; due to market conditions. I don't remember in recent history that they shut down for this length of time.
TROPHYJIM2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 05:23 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Mike Leary's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
Images: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcanavera View Post
product line is based on fossil fueled motors can survive for long
You guys towing with bikes, still?
Mike Leary is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 05:49 PM   #12
Rivet Master

 
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
Images: 59
The commercial bus side of the business has grown by 30% over the last two years. Thor now owns over 1/3 of the small/mid-size bus market in the US.
markdoane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 06:06 PM   #13
Remember, Safety Third
 
Jim & Susan's Avatar

 
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners , Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
Images: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by CanoeStream View Post
......It all comes down to Thor. Thor Industries Inc. News - The New York Times. You'll find the boardrooms look at this over the long run. And in 6-12 months the view should be more clear. My opinion? Airstream is a niche product but it sells itself with a modest amount of marketing. Already got an Airstream? No problem mon...

At least if corporate earnings go to suppliers of food, I hope it's not Campbell Soup that picks up the Twinkie pieces. Sorry -- lame Beatrice fears just below the surface.
Interesting read, Bob. A couple of things popped out at me. The insiders are by no means dumping their stock and the Thor stock is rated as a "hold" (by whom??). Also, nice to see that there are a few companies around that keep a board with plenty of "gray hairs" running the show. My apologies to the younger folks that might be reading this. Nothing is better than real world experience.

Jim
__________________
Solve for X, Or is it Y?

www.nesa.org
Air No. 6427
Jim & Susan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 06:20 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
Over59's Avatar
 
1959 26' Overlander
Putnam , Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,064
Images: 37
Thor has cash, no debt, and too many dealers with too much produce. Rumor is Classics will be available only by special order. I didn't know about the bus business. I'll need to do some homework as that makes them attractive, eventually. They may have a problem if the credit problems don't turn around by 2010. Of course if the new guy lets people open their IRA's for home payments or purchases then watch out. Alot of folks could pack it in and hit the road. Pay off the morgage with the tax free money, sell the house, buy a land yacht and hit the road to see America while there is still something to see.
Coachmen and Fleetwood look DOA. Thor may be the one to survive and get pricing power in 2012.
Over59 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2008, 06:25 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
Dewey , Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,025
Images: 1
78 Years and Growing Older, Airstream

I lived and worked at Airstream, owned by family, then privately held and then by Beatrice. I have worked in the modular building business owned by Kaiser Aluminum, Fleetwood Enterprises at their Pace Arrow plant in California and Penssylvania, Kit Manufacturing plant in Chino, CA, and Executive Industries in Anaheim and Chino, CA.

So I have seen ups, downs, slowdowns, layoffs, hiring, dealer's startups, dealers go out of business and just about everything can happen in an industry that has products that nobody really needs to own. A true luxury that isn't need to survive in life.

With that in mind all of us that have had the priviledge to own an Airstream, or other RV's should consider ourselves lucky. Boat owener too!

Thor has been a very solvent corporation with acquisitons of very solid companies. One of the reasons they sold off the California operations was the difficulty of doing business in that state.

I have read the blogs and it seems that there is attempt to grasp that the current economic crisis is going to shut the doors at Airstream. I don't think so. But I do think there will be months if not a few years to get back to its former production rates.

I have been through recessions before. I have seen productions schedules increase dynamically and shrink to controlled shutdowns.

We are in a passing problem that will correct its self.
PeeWee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2008, 10:23 AM   #16
4 Rivet Member
 
Excella3287's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 265
Images: 1
Thor

Read this yesterday, gives an overview of Thor. RVbusiness.com track's the RV Industry.

BREAKING NEWS
Thor Industries Reports 1Q RV Sales Down 50%
RV Business
Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Thor Industries Inc. said that sales for its fiscal first quarter ended Oct. 31 declined 42% with RV revenue falling 50%.

In its preliminary report, the Jackson Center, Ohio-based builder said sales for the quarter were $439.2 million, down from $763.7 million in the year-ago period. RV sales totaled $331.2 million compared with $664.2 million a year ago while bus sales increased to $108 million from $99.5 million.

Thor’s RV backlog on Oct. 31 was $124.5 million, down from $249.7 million the previous year.

The company reported that cash and investments on Oct. 31 were approximately $286 million versus $265 million the year prior. "Our strong balance sheet gives us a significant competitive advantage in these difficult times," said Wade F. B. Thompson, Thor chairman.
Excella3287 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2008, 10:54 AM   #17
Rivet Master
 
TIMEMACHINE's Avatar
 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Huntington Beach , California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,293
Images: 2
i like this idea.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Over59 View Post
Of course if the new guy lets people open their IRA's for home payments or purchases then watch out. Alot of folks could pack it in and hit the road. Pay off the morgage with the tax free money, sell the house, buy a land yacht and hit the road to see America while there is still something to see.
It would be tempting for sure!
__________________
Travel is in my blood, adventure is my passport, aluminum is my favorite construction medium, and therefore, an Airstream was my destiny.
TIMEMACHINE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2008, 12:41 PM   #18
Aluminut
 
Silvertwinkie's Avatar
 
2004 25' Safari
. , Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
Quote:
Originally Posted by Excella3287 View Post
In its preliminary report, the Jackson Center, Ohio-based builder said sales for the quarter were $439.2 million, down from $763.7 million in the year-ago period. RV sales totaled $331.2 million compared with $664.2 million a year ago while bus sales increased to $108 million from $99.5 million.
Not sure how they do their accounting, but if they do it like the automakers, they count units shipped to dealers as sold, even though they may be parked on a lot for however long, so if in fact they do similar accounting practices, I would not put a lot of stock into the fact that it's only a 50% drop.....could be far worse.

In the end I don't think that Airstream is going to close, if anything it will come out a leaner and meaner RV builder and it may remind some of the same folks that somewhat sloppily built my unit that quality is a journey not a destination and that hopefully some of the many issues we've all talked about here, with this time on their hands, might be able to address some of the shortcomings.
Silvertwinkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2008, 03:47 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
TomW's Avatar
 
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,021
Images: 4
Really?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Excella3287 View Post
... Thor Industries Inc. said that ... In its preliminary report, the Jackson Center, Ohio-based builder said ...
Is Thor really based in Airstream's home town?

Tom
TomW is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2008, 04:25 PM   #20
Aluminut
 
Silvertwinkie's Avatar
 
2004 25' Safari
. , Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
Quote:
Originally Posted by TomW View Post
Is Thor really based in Airstream's home town?

Tom
Yes. Airstream was, from what I understand Thor's first buy. They are housed next door or across the street... I forget which, but they are a stone's throw away from the service center.
Silvertwinkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Sylvania's Company Airstream LHall On The Road... 5 06-17-2008 09:06 PM
New Airstream Rental Company, Silver Cottages silvercott Commercial Listings 6 02-01-2008 03:59 PM
Screen Door Guard Airstream Company Killo1 Off Topic Forum 13 03-29-2007 12:42 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:46 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.