Returning Rumors

[tinybluetj]

While at the dealership on Sat, I was talking with thier RV guy. (The Sunline plant is right "down the street".) He was telling me that he was talking to his old Sunline Rep last Fri. Here is the what the rep said:

They have two SERIOUS buyers for Sunline. (No one can buy until the creditors are paid off, however, forced bankruptsy ) When the company was sold in 04, only the name was sold. The plant ,land, and buildings all belong to the original owner, and was leased back.

One buyer wants the name only, he is going to move the operation to Ill. The current owners do not want that to happen.

The other buyer wants the name, land, plant, etc... Apparently, they are trying to work something out and take care of the workers who have made the company what it is today. This is the option the company wants to happen.
Apparently, the employees have already been approached about getting thier old jobs back. The Sunline Rep has been approaced by this possible buyer last week.

Just thought I would pass this on. Please remember, this info came second, third, maybe even forth hand. IT IS A RUMOR ONLY!!!! I guess we can only wait and see! :?

 

[Tweety]

That's really interesting and hopeful, but a dealer at the Reading RV show this weekend told me Sunline is gone for good. I hope your guy is right.

 

[kanyonkitty]

I'm real sure I know what dealer told you that, and I sure hope it's true. I did know, that back in '04 only the company was sold, the sale did "NOT" include the land, buildings, etc. I just hope "IF" someone purchases Sunline, they strive to keep it the quality company it has been. We sure don't need a crappy manufacturer purchasing it, in fact, I think if that was gonna happen, I'd rather see them no longer use the Sunline name.

 

[RootyC]

Lets pray that the other buyer takes it and Sunline stays in business right where they are. Wouldn't that be great.

 

[Tweety]

They bought their QUE at Butler, so that would seem to be where they heard that rumor. Kitty...I'm sure you know where I heard that they are done Unfortunately a very reliable source.

 

[irishguy101]

I too hope its true,Sunline is to Good to just be let go,and that goes for all the People that made Sunline what they were and are.
If you hear anything else PLEASE let us know.

 

[Tweety]

Anyone else seen this ? There were cars at the factory again yesterday when I came back from WalMart....You know I just can't HELP but look as I drive by
http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/19328057.cfm

 

[Sunline Fan]

Pam,

I saw that too. I don't think its good news that cars are at the factory. I have a source that tells me an auction is coming up soon, so I think Sunline is done. I E-mailed that article to my source and asked if this was a hoax or not. The prices seem a little steep. I'd especially like to know who would pay 50k for the website. I'll let everyone know if I find out any more news.

Jon

 

[Poor Man Campin']

My fear is that it may be gone for good; but I like having hope. My other fear is that someone as big as Fleetwood might by it and turn it into a cookie cutter production like Terry, Prowler, Wilderness etc; I never understood different 'brand' names with identical floor plans! I think Fleetwood could have a stronger customer base if they pared down their brands, focused on better quality, and offered different amenity levels; sort of like Ford's XL, XLT, Lariat, Eddie Baur, you get the the picture.
(I can say Fleetwood can't I?)

Intro. post coming soon in Meet and Greet!

 

[JohnGB]

Thanks for passing along the link.

The Letter is now posted. Sunline sale post on RV.Net

$600K for an entire company..... this does not seem to add up.

Does anyone know if Sunline actually filed for Chapter 11 or Chapter 7?

At that low a price, with 100 employees, why wasn't an employee buyout thought through?

And if they did file Chapter 11 or 7, you generally buy the IP from the bankruptcy court not on the open market?

I have been thru one of these court buyouts in NY buying a company. The assets inside the company where sold at public auction. The rights to the company was thru the court system. Don't know if PA is the same or not.

John[/url]

 

[Sunline Fan]

I wouldn't worry about Fleetwood since they are closing three TT plants across the country. I agree, they need to do something and not have the same floorplan with different brands. I believe some of their trailer brands used to be separate companies, but I'm not real sure of that though. If thats the case, that could be why they are hurting: they acquired too many brands. I have heard so many stories about how Fleetwood trailers have terrible quality and so many people who have had them will never go back.

Also, I think all hope for Skyline buying Sunline is out too. I read somewhere that they had a two year warranty on all units and it got cut down to one year for this model year. It looks like the beginning of the end for Skyline. Sunline never had to cut down the warranty because they built such a high quality, trouble free unit!

Jon

 

[Sunline Fan]

Hi John,

I didn't notice your response since I was typing mine at the time, but to answer your question, Sunline filed for Chapter 7. It was in the Lancaster Newspaper in December. I found it via an article on RV.net.

Jon

 

[cwm-SUN]

We were at the York, PA, RV Show last weekend, and in talking with one of the dealers there, he said that the deal with Lance fell through, but there is still an on-going deal with Sunline and another prospective buyer, that does not manufacture trailers, so maybe there still is Hope of some kind!

 

[JohnGB]

Hi John,

I didn't notice your response since I was typing mine at the time, but to answer your question, Sunline filed for Chapter 7. It was in the Lancaster Newspaper in December. I found it via an article on RV.net.

Jon

Jon, thanks. I did not see that.

If they went Chapter 7 into ligidation, then still the court should be selling the IP, not out on the open market. Well times change, maybe.

Hope this other deal come through.

John