Jayco Family of Companies
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Recreational Vehicles (RV) |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Lloyd Bontrager |
| Headquarters | Middlebury, Indiana, United States |
Key people | Ken Walters (President) |
| Products |
|
| Brands |
|
Number of employees | ~4,000 |
| Parent | Thor Industries |
| Website | www.jayco.com |
The Jayco Family of Companies is an American manufacturer of recreational vehicles (RVs) and a subsidiary of Thor Industries.[1][2] The group operates through its brands, including Jayco RV, Entegra Coach, Highland Ridge RV, and Starcraft RV.[3] Based in Middlebury and Shipshewana, Indiana, the company has been a prominent player in the RV industry since its founding in 1968.[4]
History
[edit]The Jayco Family of Companies was founded in 1968 by Lloyd Bontrager,[5][6] who developed a unique lifter system for fold-down camping trailers.[7] The company began operations with 15 employees and sold 132 camping trailers in its first year. By 1971, the Jayco Family of Companies had entered the travel trailer market, producing 1,100 units in its debut year, followed by its expansion into the fifth-wheel trailer market in 1972.[8]
In 1985, Lloyd Bontrager died in a plane crash,[9] and leadership transitioned to other executives, including Al Yoder and Wilbur Bontrager.[10] The company reached milestones such as shipping its 100,000th unit and introducing new product lines,[11] including lightweight travel trailers like the Kiwi, which later evolved into the Jay Feather series.[12]
By the late 1990s, the Jayco Family of Companies opened a customer service center and established an online presence with the launch of its website. In 2016, the company was acquired by Thor Industries.[13][14]
Brands
[edit]The Jayco Family of Companies expanded its operation over the years through key brands including Jayco RV, Starcraft RV, Entegra Coach and Highland Ridge RV.[5]
Jayco RV
[edit]
Founded in 1968, Jayco RV is the flagship brand of the Jayco Family of Companies. It manufactures a wide range of recreational vehicles, including travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and motorhomes (Class A, B, and C). Jayco RV is headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana, and employs a workforce that includes members of the local Amish and Mennonite communities.[15]
Starcraft RV (1991)
[edit]
Starcraft RV manufactures travel trailers and fifth wheels. Founded in 1903 as a farm equipment manufacturer, Starcraft is now headquartered in Shipshewana, Indiana following its acquisition by Jayco Family of Companies in 1991.[16]
Entegra Coach (2008)
[edit]
Established following the acquisition of Travel Supreme, Entegra Coach focuses on high-end luxury motorhomes, including diesel pushers, Class A motorhomes, and Class C motorhomes.[17] It operates out of Middlebury, Indiana.
Highland Ridge RV (2014)
[edit]
Specializes in travel trailers and fifth wheels with innovative designs and materials, Highland Ridge RV is based in Shipshewana, Indiana.[18]
Jayco Family of Companies' Universities
[edit]The Jayco Family of Companies has partnered with the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) to develop a fully virtual online classroom.[19] This initiative provides customers with training on RV ownership, including topics like setup, maintenance, and safety.[20]
Operations
[edit]The Jayco Family of Companies operates manufacturing facilities in Middlebury and Shipshewana, Indiana, employing approximately 4,000 people.[21] The company’s workforce includes a significant number of Amish and Mennonite craftspeople, reflecting its deep roots in Indiana’s local communities.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "Jayco, Inc. - CRVA". Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ Booker, Ted. "Thor acquires Jayco in $576 million deal". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Jayco". America's Largest RV Show. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Jayco, Inc. Company Overview and Headquarters". leadiq.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b travelandrv (2022-05-06). "The History of Jayco". Traveland RV Blog. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ www.digitalhill.com, Web Design by Digital Hill Multimedia. "Lloyd J. Bontrager". RV/MH Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ Gorgan, Elena (2022-10-05). "Remembering the 1968 Jayco Pop-Up Camper, the First to Use a Unique Ease-Up Lifter System". autoevolution. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "4 Secrets to Highly Successful a Family-Owned Business - Jayco". Yahoo Finance.
- ^ "Jayco's 50th Anniversary: An Interview with Bertha Bontrager Rhodes". The RV Atlas. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Derald Bontrager". RV News. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ Tribune, Ted Booker South Bend. "Jayco hits milestone with 1 millionth RV". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "2023 Jay Feather - Light Travel Trailer | Jayco, Inc". www.jayco.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ Booker, Ted. "Thor acquires Jayco in $576 million deal". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ Briggs, James. "Elkhart RV manufacturer Thor acquires rival Jayco". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
- ^ "About Jayco - A Top Selling RV Manufacturer | Jayco". Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Starcraft RV - CRVA". Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "Entegra Coach". RV News. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ The, ZaneRay (2024-11-08). "Highland Ridge - More room. Less weight". THOR Industries. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ Gerard, Gary (2023-05-25). "Jayco Launches Starcraft & Highland Ridge RV Universities - RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News". Retrieved 2025-01-20.
- ^ "Jayco Training Now Qualifies for RVTI Level 3 Certification - RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News". 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
- ^ "Jayco Unveils its Renovated Customer Service Facility - RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News". 2024-06-17. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
- ^ "4 Secrets to Highly Successful a Family-Owned Business - Jayco". Yahoo Finance.