Local Business Named Into Top 50 RV Dealers in North America

Grand Rapids, Michigan – Recent headlines declare the recession to be on its way out, with many eyes on the recovery of the recreation vehicle industry as a precursor of nationwide economic trends. Emphasizing the good news is the announcement of RV Business magazine’s Top 50 RV Dealers in North America, which included local dealership Veurinks’ RV Center at 7144 S. Division Avenue in Grand Rapids.

The Veurink family has been in the RV business for over 55 years. They sell a wide array of RVs from small light weight travel trailers to luxury motorhomes. Their website is www.veurinksrv.com. “Being recognized as a Top 50 RV Dealer in North America during

these challenging times is certainly an honor and a real tribute to our staffs commitment and dedication to customer service,” says Tim Veurink, president of Veurinks’ RV Center.

This is the second year for the program, and the first time including dealers in Canada. The response was overwhelming in spite of the general economic atmosphere this year. What really makes this story amazing is that even with the headwinds of 2009, we received about 40% more applicants than in 2008, said RV Business publisher Sherman Goldenberg. The competition was a lot tougher this year, which tells us that those who applied and especially those who were selected by the judges are truly exceptional. You know they have to be doing something right to not only withstand the down economy, but to exemplify best business practices at the same time.

Dealers nominated by U.S. and Canada were invited to apply for the Top 50 program. After the applications were collected, a panel of independent industry judges convened to review the applications and select the Top 50. Criteria were not based on sales, but on customer service and satisfaction, employee training and education, and sound planning and initiatives. This year, five times as many applicants had to be cut than in 2008, which made it a difficult process for the judges, according to Goldenberg.

There was a lot of discussion and debate, he said. It was really hard for the judges

to narrow it down, so those dealers who made it in should be particularly proud of this accomplishment.” The 50 finalists collectively generated approximately $1.6 billion in sales last year and have received hundreds of awards from manufacturers and their local communities.

To view the complete list of the Top 50 dealers and to learn more about members of the Leadership Alliance, visit www.RVBusiness.com. www.RVBusiness.com.

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Veurink's RV Center Nations oldest Holiday Rambler Dealer takes delivery of first units from the new Monaco RV LLC

It was 1963 when Howard Veurink then owner of Veurinks’ RV Center in Grand Rapids Michigan first signed a dealer agreement with Richard Klingler who was the founder of Holiday Rambler in Wakarusa Indiana. That afternoon Howard towed home a 19’ rear gaucho Holiday Rambler travel trailer and parked it on his rented lot. By that evening Howard had sold his first Holiday Rambler. Since that time the Veurink family has sold and serviced several thousand Holiday Rambler towable and motorized products. Forty six years latter the tradition continues as Veurinks’ RV Center and the “New” Monaco RV LLC have re-signed a dealer agreement to continue selling the Holiday Rambler brands. The dealer also has just taken delivery of 3 new 2010 Holiday Rambler towable products.

In June of 2009 Navistar picked up the Holiday Rambler brand and manufacturing facilities from the assets of the old Monaco Coach Corp. “We look forward to working with a financially sound company like Navistar who like us has a rich history of customer support and satisfaction”- said Tim Veurink President of Veurinks’ RV. According to Tim, Holiday Rambler has always had a reputation of being a top brand offering quality and value. “When you sell a brand for 46 years you develop a very loyal customer base of owners of that brand who frankly can’t see themselves buying any other brand but a Holiday Rambler”. Tim also stated that over the 46 years they have partnered with 4 different owners of the Holiday Rambler brand they include, Richard Klingler, Harley Davidson, Monaco Coach, and now Navistar. “Change is never easy but I can honestly say that every owner of Holiday Rambler has helped the product evolve into a better RV and I believe Navistar is capable of taking that evolution to a whole new level”.

Veurinks’ RV Center will carry the full line of the Holiday Rambler brands. Towable products are already arriving and they expect Gas Motorhomes to arrive end of July and new Diesels before the end of summer. Veurinks’ will also be aggressively discounting the few remaining 2009s to make room for the new models. These units can be found on their website www.veurinksrv.com

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Dealer's Perspective: Tim Veurink, Owner of Veurinks RV Center, the longest running Holiday Rambler dealership in the World

No doubt we are in very challenging times this is as tough as it has been since 79/80. As far as the RV business goes I think that was even a more difficult time. I can say that because I lived through it. During that period we lost 50% of the dealer body and even more manufactures. In fact we where still selling 1978 units in 1981. I heard how RVs would be dinosaurs Ect Ect and gas lines were so long that they blocked the entrance to our dealership and then when you did get a deal people had to pay 20% interest on their loan and we were paying the same on our flooplan. It was a tough time but the RV business came back bigger than ever and in 2006 sold over 390,000 units which was the same number we did in 1978. We also are starting to see things pick up since the Novi Show we have sold several units and most dealers I talk to around the country have had a good last 2 weeks in February. The biggest challenge we all are having right now is getting enough used Motorhome inventory since that seems to be the hot spot right now. I could write a book on why I think the RV business will bounce back but I won’t put you through that.

Tim Veurink

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Michigan RV Dealer Celebrates 55 years in the RV Business A Family Business Promoting the RV Lifestyle Since 1954

2009 marks the 55th year that the Veurink Family has been in the RV Business. With a focus on the RV lifestyle and keeping customers on the road and enjoying their RV purchase for years, repeat business is what keeps the company forging ahead, even in uncertain times.

Tim Veurink, President of Veurinks’ RV Center in Grand Rapids is the third generation of his family to be in the RV Business. Tim says “Over the past 55 years the RV business has been very good to our family. We enjoy the RV lifestyle and love dealing with the RV customer.”
The past couple of years have been challenging for the RV industry across the board. When asked how the economy is affecting his sales numbers, Tim indicated that overall he is confident that the industry will rebound as it has in the past. “This industry has always had its ups and downs. We had tough go of it in 1974-1975, 1979-1980, 1989-1991, 2000-2001 and now again we face some challenges today. What I have learned is during these times you need to take care of your customer, communicate with your staff, stick to your plan, and hang in there until the storm is over because the storm always does end.”

Tim adds that he feels blessed that his family has been in the RV business for 55 years and believes that the RV lifestyle and business will bounce back bigger than ever. Here are his reasons why:

1. The biggest population group, the baby boomers, are sitting on the side lines ready to jump into the RV lifestyle.
2. Baby Boomers will have to, and want to travel, to visit their children and grandchildren who were displaced to other states because of job opportunities.
3. Because of the Go RVing campaign the RV lifestyle is seen in a more positive light than it was 25 years ago. Also many RV Resorts have been upgraded with high end accommodations for travelers.
4. More Americans than ever are wanting to travel domestically, and appreciate all that our Nation has to offer.
5. People today want more freedom and flexibility in their leisure time and an RV is a perfect fit. They also want to stay connected when they travel through technology. The modern RV, again, is a great fit for this lifestyle
6. More and more Americans own pets. Most RV resorts are pet friendly. Checking into a motel with your two dogs and the cat for an overnight stay isn’t an easy thing to do.
7. RVs enhance and compliment other recreational activities that people enjoy. Toy Haulers are a perfect example of this phenomenon. People take their motorcycle, ATV, jet ski, surfboard, bicycles, and even their hobby equipment with them across the country.
8. RV lifestyle is still the most economical way to enjoy a vacation or your retirement. After this last real estate bubble people may want to have a lower investment and overhead risk and invest in an RV.

It is time to think about that summer vacation. Along with a promise for excellence in customer care, Veurink’s RV would like to remind you that whatever your family is doing for vacation this year, chances are things may be a little more expensive than last year, unless you are planning a vacation in an RV. The cost of RV vacations has risen only a fraction, when compared to other methods of family leisure, and are on average 26 to 74 percent less expensive than other types of vacations studied.

Taking advantage of the everyday low prices at Veruink’s RV Center can save the average family a great deal of money on upcoming vacation costs. Veurinks’ works hard to provide pricing that is highly competitive, which is another reason customers return. “Regardless of gas prices, RV owners still get a bigger bang for their buck when compared to other types of vacations,” says Richard Coon, president, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). “Affordability is a key reason why RV travel appeals so much to families.” Studies show that a family of four traveling from Grand Rapids, MI to Niagara Falls, NY for ten days with their camping trailer in tow, staying in campgrounds averaging $25 per night would save 54 percent, or $1,696 over the same trip taken by car, staying in hotels averaging $120 per night and eating in restaurants. And, this even factors in the cost of ownership. Taking the same vacation by motorhome would save $974, or 34 percent, over going by car.

With new RVs at some of the lowest prices in recent years there are great bargains to be had. Veurink’s Rv Center would like to invite you to stop in and visit their dealership to find out what the RV lifestyle is all about. You can find them at 7144 South Division, Grand Rapids, MI, or call toll free 800-822-5292 or locally 616-281-5111. For your convenience visit Veurink’s RV Center’s brand new website at http://www.veurinks.com.

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Grand Rapids Camper Travel and RV Show Jan 15 thru 18 The Newest RVs will be On Display with Veurink’s RV

Veurink’s RV Center to display 19 new RVs by Holiday Rambler, KZ, Tiffin Motorhomes Four Winds, and Dutchmen. Their line-up for the show includes the Traveler motorhome by Holiday Rambler that gets 15-18 mpg.

The Grand Rapids Camper and RV Show will be held at the Devos Place in Downtown Grand Rapids, MI on January 15 thru 18, 2009. Hours are 3 to 9:30 p.m. January 15; noon to 9:30 p.m. January 16; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. January 17; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. January 18. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 14 and free for children 5 and younger.

Tim Veurinks, owner of Veurink’s RV invites you to check out the new 2009 KZ 4005SL Inferno Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel that includes a spacious bath in the bedroom suite plus a ½ bath in the rear garage. Veurinks’ will have an excellent display of ½ ton fifth wheels in the KZ Spree and Sportsmen series.

Looking for a motorhome with excellent gas mileage? How about one that gets 15-18mpg? The Holiday Rambler 24RBH Traveler might be the right motorhome for you. On a Sprinter 3.0 Diesel chassis this Motorhome offers great economy and is spacious with a slide-out. RVing is still the most cost effective form of vacationing and with this Holiday Rambler Motorhome your expenses will be right on target to save you big dollars this year.

Veurinks’ will also be showing the ever popular Endeavor Diesel and the Presidential Fifth Wheel. For those who seek luxury and style, these RVs will keep you moving in a high end direction with affordable pricing.

New for Veurinks’ RV this year is the introduction of the Dutchmen Four Winds travel trailers they are both light weight and very affordable. Speaking of light weight make sure you check out the KZ Coyote Lite weighing less than 3,000lbs. These RVs are perfect for towing with your SUV, Mini-Van or Lite Truck.

If you want to travel in a Motorhome with your kids or grandkids then you will want to see the 35QBA Allegro by Tiffin Motorhomes. This rig has a Front Engine Diesel known in the industry as a FRED. It can get up to 12MPG and has four slide outs as well as bunks for the kids. Everything you need for a fantastic time on the road with all of the comforts of home.

Stop out to the show and see all the RVs from Veurinks’ RV Center they will be dealing and will be offering special RV finance rates and terms. For more information about Veurinks’ RV Center please visit their new website @ www.veurinksrv.com. For more information about the Grand Rapids RV Show email rvsales@veurinksrv.com or call 1-800-822-5292.

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