Sunline plant opening????

[poppyandnana]

http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18826568.cfm

Read dolphin lady_63 post ! This is the first bit of "light" on the Sunline plant closing.

 

[Makers Mark]

I have my fingers and toes crossed.
MM

 

[mbart5fan]

Same here.

Mike

 

[GoodoleBob]

Sometimes we get what we wish for. That's why they say to be careful of what you wish for. Well we all share a common wish for a new startup at the Sunline factory....please just let it happen...I'll be good forever...

Bob

 

[mdfiregal]

Sunline Plant

Mack and I just had some "warranty" work done by our dealer. I find some glimmer of hope that a dealer was willing to do "warranty" work (a list of 10 items) for no cost at all. He also mentioned that he would be putting in the paperwork with Sunline for reimbursement later on. When I asked him had he heard anything, he said that he had received a call a week or so before asking if he would still be interested in selling Sunlines. There appeared to be a interested individual in purchasing the company and was canvassing the current dealers to see if they would continue to sell the product. So all you Sunline owners out there, make sure you stay good and don't land on Santa's naughty list. We might have a great belated Christmas surprise somewhere around the beginning of the New Year!

Here's hoping....... Firegal

 

[Makers Mark]

Any news??

Hey All,
Anybody have anythig new to report on Sunline's future? I fear that glimmer of light is fading as time passes. Any more delay and a prospective buyer will lose market share as well as the quality workers as former Sunline employees return to the workforce in other areas.



Regards,

Makers

 

[Tweety]

I don't know what's going on, but there were several cars at the plant yesterday when I drove by. Sooo...keep those fingers crossed

 

[poppyandnana]

Someone over on RV.net posted that Layton (spelling?) might be taking it over....I don't know anything abut a Layton TT - good - bad - or otherwide....anyone have any more info?

 

[edzius]

Layton Skyline

Layton is one of several rv brands manufactured by Skyline Corp. They are a financially healthy company that also builds mobile / manufactured homes. They have two plants in PA. One in Ephrata and one in Leola. The Ephrata plant is literally down the road from sunline about 5 miles west on Rt. 272 from Denver/Adamstown. If you look at their website www.skylinecorp.com you will see that they only build mobile/ manufactured homes in PA. There Northeast US rv plant is in Elkhart IN (big suprise there!). For everyone's sake at Sunline hopefully something will work out.

Ed

 

[JohnGB]

H'mm this info is news.

We looked at the Skyline in our TT quest. Actually was our first one we looked at. What impressed me with them is they have a UL listing on their TT. And if you have ever been in the manufacturing business and have eve gone through getting UL certified, it is a big deal. We did not buy the Skyline. The ones we looked at were nice but not as upgraded as the Solaris. I did not know they also had other brands. I'm sure the brands are different with upgrades like most other TT brands. Each brand has different upscale features.

From what I know of Skyline, this would be a good move if they would keep the Sunline brand and quality setup.

Keep our hopes up. Doing some digging the Skyline plant in PA is for manufacturing homes. So the RV site might be a good fit.

 

[emam]

After living in our 2499TT for the past month, we wanted to make sure we worked out any kinks before we hit the road for good. We had a list of things that needed to be fixed or adjusted. All little things, but none the less needed work. We brought the TT back to General RV in Wixom MI and they did all the work free of charge saying it was covered under the Sunline warranty??!! Not sure if this means they know something we dont and they'll be able to bill them, but it's a shimmer of hope.

I love the fact that a seller feels confident enough to stick behind a companies warranty and take care of their customers needs without a hint of worry to losing money. Not something you see to much in this day in age.

 

[Makers Mark]

Hello All,
Just wanted to report on the Allentown RV show this past weekend. Not only does Sunline have a very loyal customer base as we all know, it should be noted a dealer that is very loyal also. WT displayed many Sunline models (a couple had sold signs on) and are backing the warranty on their own. Please note I am not a employee of WT nor did I buy my coach from them. I just was very impressed with their view on Sunline quality. This kind of loyalty of both customers and dealers should be a incentive for some deep pocket to carry on the Sunline Coach legacy.
MM

 

[Tweety]

We were at the Valley Forge RV show this weekend...needed something camping like to do. There was not a single Sunline there. A salesman there asked us what we owned & when we said a Sunline QUE he said "I really like the QUE. It's too bad about Sunline." There was no mention of anyone still looking to buy, only that there had been several lookers but no takers. I am losing hope for this great little company

 

[schaller56]

Quetse

I just checked the place i bought my Que and they have change their location and name, still in Colorado but on his site that used to be Elizabeth RV & Auto, and is now Colorado Auto Connection he still has several Ques in stock both side and rear entry and they are at quite a reduced price. I didn't look to see if he had any other Sunlines in stock but if anyone is looking he does have the Que's It's a great dealership to work with and he treated us great, The Owners name is ST.

Dave

 

[schaller56]

Just a follow up to my last post, I just got a email from Colorado and he still has 4 Que's left in stock.

Dave

 

[Sunline Fan]

I was over at the Open Roads forum last night and found this article from RV Business. Sorry for not posting it right away.


"Sunline Coach Co. Shuttered, Continues to Explore Options
Longtime towable builder Sunline Coach Co. continues to search for a buyer after ceasing operations November 15, and placing a "For Sale" sign on the internet's most prominent retail clearinghouse.

"We're approching the sale from two perspectives" said Joe Bucara, Sunline president and COO, in an interview with RV Business in early January. "One is to sell the total business, including the company's intellectual property. We are also looking at selling the intellectual property exclusively. We have had interest in both propositions".

The article goes on to say that an auction with both options is being explored for an offering on eBay.

According to Bucara, Sunline began activly seeking a buyer in early 2006 "intelligently, not desperatly". In early November, the search for a buyer took on a more desperate tone.

Bucara states that should a buyer be found, production could be up and running in 90 days or less.

Bucara was part of an investment group that included Paul Kozloff, Bruce Cobb and John Whitehall, which purchased the family owned firm in February of 2004. Cobb left the company in 2005. Dale Zimmerman, son of original owner John Zimmerman, stayed on as vice president of production."


Here is the link if anyone is interested in following the discussion:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/19167414.cfm


I have checked eBay and there is no sign of it, so nothing has been done yet as to an auction of the company. So a spark still flickers...

Jon

 

[JohnGB]

Jon, thanks for posting. I had not seen the RV.net article. Interesting reading. Gee selling a company on Ebay. What next...

 

[Sunline Fan]

Hi John,

Tell me about it! I too never thought a whole company would be put on eBay, let alone Sunline. I keep watching eBay every day, and I have yet to see the company on there. I'll let everyone know if it does show up.

Jon