Excel Closing Its Doors

RustyJC wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
And we need to see what Thor has in the wings for DRV.

Ken

Nothing negative yet. In talking to the DRV folks, nothing has changed except for the backroom operations - personnel, payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable, which moved from Howe to Elkhart. All the engineering and operational personnel as well as management remain the same. They said that the deep pockets of Thor are actually benefitting them at this point as the Thor suits came to Howe and asked, what do you need that you don't have to be better, and Thor opened their checkbooks for improvements to and expansion of the Howe facility.

Time will eventually tell, but I wouldn't have any concern purchasing a DRV just because of the ownership change as of this 5 minutes. Hopefully Thor understands what they bought and are trying not to screw it up by Thor-izing DRV.

With the closing of Excel, that's pretty much the end of the road for the Hitchhiker brand, I suppose, so (as Excel management stated in their announcement) the options these manufacturers face is to be big enough to reach critical mass or die - Excel couldn't do it. DRV apparently has, though we may not be thrilled about the purchaser. Some of these newer startups - the clock is ticking; let's see what happens when they burn through their startup capital.

Rusty

This is exactly the same thing that Heartland has experienced since their acquisition by Thor over four years ago. They have been able to expand and improve dramatically...and actually it's Heartland who now owns DRV.

DRV should be left alone except for the administrative end of the business and now have the funds to do what they want to do...win, win for all involved...IMHO.