Redwood RV is Thor’s new start-up

Goshen, IN – Thor Industries and its newly formed subsidiary, Redwood RV, announced today major staff hirings along with product and market intentions. Key management positions in Operations and Engineering have been filled according to the company.

“The high-end fifth wheel market is emerging,” said Don Emahiser, President of Redwood RV. “Luxury towable products designed and built for full-time customers is the only segment of the RV market in which Thor does not fully participate—that is our challenge,” he added. Emahiser is assembling a team of industry experts who have specialized in the fifth wheel market. “Great people build great companies and our goal with Redwood RV is to combine outstanding fifth wheel talent with Thor’s unparalleled resources,” Emahiser said.

Dan Kreider has joined Redwood as V.P. of Manufacturing. He has over 15 years of manufacturing leadership in the RV industry and is coming from KZ RV in Shipshewana, IN. As the Vice President, Dan was responsible for all the operations of the company for the last seven years as KZ grew from a small niche builder to a major player in towables. Kreider also started three new production lines while he was at KZ. Dan says, “I’ll bring the best of the best into our workforce—our goal is to build the highest quality fifth wheel product on the market, and the right people will help make the difference.”

Their head engineer will be Ray Patterson, who brings a wealth of design experience to the company. “Ray designed all of the luxury towable products during his 14 years at Monaco. He will bring that knowledge and quality to our concept,” Emahiser said.

Assisting in the venture will be Doug Rheinheimer, a retired executive from Keystone RV as a senior consultant. “We are fortunate to have the assistance of Doug as we launch Redwood. He is a master at facilities planning and production. He will ensure we do it efficiently, effectively and with quality,” Emahiser said.

Redwood is very close to finalizing a production location in Elkhart county and continues to focus on attracting other top industry recruits for their team according to Emahiser. Redwood RV will focus on the high end fifth wheel market, building products that will start at $65,000 MSRP. The new company is targeting the 48th National RV Trade Show, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in Louisville, Ky., for its product debut.

Redwood RV is a subsidiary of Thor Industries, Inc., Jackson Center, OH (NYSE: THO), the world’s largest manufacturer of recreational vehicles.

Nikki

Nikki is a writer and editor for Do It Yourself RV, RV LIFE, and Camper Report. She is based on the Oregon Coast and has traveled all over the Pacific Northwest.