Who owns the Sunline factory?

[Tweety]

So, driving north on 222 at 4:30 today after shopping in Lancaster I did my usual look at the factory. The building on the left of Muddy Creek Rd. was all lit up, and there were a dozen cars in the parking lot along with a truck that said Martin's (I think) Construction. Anyone know what that's all about? The building on the right was dark.

[purplesuebug]

Pam,
Just curious...............did you happen to notice if all the gates were still closed??? The last time I drove by, I pulled in to ask about all the activity. The parking lot had quite a few cars and trucks but the all the gates were closed. That made me even more curious. They had dug up many of the utilities and had construction equipment there. I need to know!!!!!! Sue won't let me scale the fence (Hee-Hee) Marshall

[partimcmpr]

That picture can be taken many different ways. Did you put that toilet there? :<)

[What6308]

There is a public record of sale and also a tax plat that will tell you "who" owns it now.

I remember seeing it listed somewhere on-line for sale but I don't know if it sold or not.

[vcrt]

Check this out, the date of the satellite image is 2007 and trailers are visible on the property. Must be earlier this year?
Rich

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...wloc=addr&om=1

[Tweety]

Drove down 222 yesterday. There's a big sign by the Sunline factory that says " Martins Construction." I'm not sure if that means that's now their facility or if they're doing some work there. Around here Martin is an amish or menonite name, so the fact that nothing was happening just means it was Sunday. The sign wasn't a little low one, but a big one on high pillars.

[Tweety]

When I Googled Martins Construction it seems that they are an industrial type building contractor. So, I guess they could be either renovating the building for another use, or taking it over for their own purposes.

[rich2500]

could very well be that Martins bought the sunline plant for their own use they are a very big construction Co. they actually did my foundation for my house back in 1996,very nice people,could be relation to Lou Martin

[purplesuebug]

Okay...............I pulled into the parking lot at the old Sunline Factory and this lady sitting in a large car waved gingerly at me. Me being who I am, I waved back like there was no tomorrow. Upon seeing this, the well dressed lady opened the door on her fancy car and proceeded in my direction while fixing her scarf and buttoning her overcoat. I lowered my window, almost loosing my camoflage hat, and politely informed the lady that I was not who she thought I was. Before I could finish that statement, the passenger door opened and out stepped a Jay Rockefeller looking dude. I can't even afford to tell you what he was wearing. Anyway, he started in my direction. Here I sat in my camo hat and an old dirty sweat shirt in my grundgy pick-up talking to these people.

Well, I come to find out that they are from the realtor that holds the Sunline Factory. They were waiting to show the building. She was the deal maker and he was her boss. After a little discussion, I got the following information.

1. Martin Construction did indeed purchase the "parts" building. They are using it as office/maintainance/storage.

2. The main building, office, is sold and closes at the end of the month. Under confidentialiity, she could not tell me who the purchaser is.

3. The third and last building was being shown yesterday and this is where all this started............she thought I was the buyer of that building!!!! She said it was only a couple million dollars but the township was making it difficult to sell because they wanted their share as well.

4. The most important information I received was the fact that when Sunline turned the buildings over to the realtor, they were stripped bare. Not one sticker, not one brochure, nothing was left in those buildings. They sold EVERYTHING!!!!!! While discussing this, she made a strange remark. She was saying that the closing of the company did not HAVE to happen. I remarked that greed may have had something to do with it and she replied that the "guy in Reading got greedy". Anybody know who the "guy in Reading" is???? Points to ponder.

Anyway...............that was my excitement yesterday............Marshall

[Galaxiedriver]

So, against all hope, the Sunlines that are now in our hands are all there ever will be. I have often thought that someone out there might pick up the pieces and rebuild the Sunline Company, but it is not to be.

Kind of gives a little more importance to this club and our rigs doesn't it?

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by Galaxiedriver

Kind of gives a little more importance to this club and our rigs doesn't it?

Kinda like ownin' a '59 Edsel, eh?

Back when they stopped making them, it wasn't much of a deal, even in the years immediately following.

But now, to own a '59 Edsel in good shape would be.....

Words are not adequate.

Maybe our Sunlines will be like that.

[JohnB]

Marshall

Thanks for the update.

Does anyone know what happened to the design rights for sale on E Bay?

Each time I think about this I get frustrated all over again.

I worked for a power press manufacturing company in the late 70’s to early 80’s. Same thing happened there. 100 year old company building a high quality power press that stamps out metal parts for anything made of metal. Hub caps to electronic parts. Run that press for 30 years, rebuild it and run it again for another 30.

Had 2 problems during that time frame. The car industry took a nose dive and you could buy cheap off shore presses for a fraction of the money and they would only last 5 years. But they would sell. Gee does this sound like the Sunline story? New management at the time forced a strike to cut costs and them gave in, in stead of working thru it. The original owners and founders could not do much about it by them.

Well it is 2008, they are still selling cars and still using power presses to make them. There are not too many US brand names left making that type of machinery. Yes competition is fierce. But you have to adapt and you have to manage thru it.

Point: You do not go out of business due to lack of business, you go out of business due to miss management.

I’m glad I upgraded the camper this year. As each year goes by, the chances get less and less that it will be this brand. I guess we now all have collectors items to go camping with.

John

[Galaxiedriver]

Well, a new Edsel sold for around $2000. Today, a pristine Edsel hardtop would sell for around $20,000, a convertible around $50,000. (Old cars Price Guide Oct. '07 issue.)

That means, that some day my Sunline may be worth, Oh, a couple hundred grand, maybe more. I like that thought. I paid just under 60% of the list price.

Kidding aside, Sunlines are high quality, and if maintained well could be an excellent investment over time, but probably a long time. Some of the vintage camper trailers from the early days through the 6os bring big bucks.

My '62 Galaxie sold new for about $3300. Today, 45 years later it is insured for 10 times that. But, not one nut or bolt is different than original. Every tidbit of restoration has been done to original.

I would love to find a small 1962 trailer like a Shasta to tow to shows. I think that would be really fun.

[Tweety]

Jon, Can you do a copy and paste? The link didn't take me to the right place. I'm on the Central Penn Business Journal mailing list but somehow missed the article.

[partimcmpr]

Here you go....

From http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/a....asp?aid=62906
Martin Construction Inc. purchased a 21,000-square-foot facility at South Muddy Creek and Stone Hill roads in Denver, Lancaster County, and will relocate there. The building was formerly occupied by Sunline Coach Co. High Associates Ltd. and Re/Max Associates handled the deal.

[Tweety]

I THINK I saw a SOLD sign on the other Sunline building when I drove by on Monday. Anyone been by lately?