Updates on Building Expansion

[mizterwizard]

What I noticed was all of the trailers in the background. Hmmmmm. Just ignore that noise outside. It's nothing to be concerned about. No need to call the police or check inventory.

[vmull]

Congratulations Reace & Tammy. The pictures probably don't do it justice, but the new building looks awesome. You deserve the best.

[freespirit]

wishing the best Reace and Tammy...
like many business expansions, you also have to shovel more coal every day...

[mizterwizard]

Originally Posted by mizterwizard

What I noticed was all of the trailers in the background. Hmmmmm. Just ignore that noise outside. It's nothing to be concerned about. No need to call the police or check inventory.

Just kidding but I want one bad. Maybe it is me that is bad and I want one good. Something like that. So here is a plan.

With all of that beautiful new facility, you will certainly need more help. How about an apprenticeship program where us poor folks could come to the factory, help out for a while and take a 5.0TA in exchange for our efforts?

Do Americans need a "green card" or something to work in Canada?

Just babbling here. Looks like a bright future for ETI though.

There has been some discussion on the forum about how to lock in current exchange rates so that there are no surprises in a year when it is time to pick up a trailer. One of the concerns expressed is whether the company will still be there in a year if the full payment is made today. I think the expansion makes that a non-issue. A company on the edge of collapse isn't inclined to invest so much in itself like this.

Since I hope to become an Escapee some day this expansion is great news and it looks like it is coming along just fine. Considering the price of used Escapes, I think production could be doubled over current levels and there would still be a backlog.

I wonder if there would be room in the new facility for a 25 foot 5.1TA with a dry bath and king bed? Just a thought.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by mizterwizard

..There has been some discussion on the forum about how to lock in current exchange rates so that there are no surprises in a year when it is time to pick up a trailer. One of the concerns expressed is whether the company will still be there in a year if the full payment is made today. I think the expansion makes that a non-issue. A company on the edge of collapse isn't inclined to invest so much in itself like this...

I guess anything is possible, but given their track record, it seems pretty unlikely that ETI will disappear within the next year.

Rather than paying ETI in full a year in advance of picking up your Escape, you could hedge your funds against currency fluctuations by placing your money into a Cdn$ bank account, and then pay ETI the full payment upon completion of your trailer.

[mizterwizard]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

I guess anything is possible, but given their track record, it seems pretty unlikely that ETI will disappear within the next year.

Rather than paying ETI in full a year in advance of picking up your Escape, you could hedge your funds against currency fluctuations by placing your money into a Cdn$ bank account, and then pay ETI the full payment upon completion of your trailer.

I've read through that whole thread and I think any fears of ETI evaporating are just worst case thinking. One has to have some hope for the future don't they? There is no such thing as a totally secure future but I expect good things ahead for ETI and for myself.

[rbryan4]

When you make a quality product and you're quality people, you can survive any economic changes. Build a better mousetrap and people will beat a path to your door. I expect that Escape will be something that Tammy and Reace can hand down to their children, and it's gonna be around for a long time to come.

[padlin]

Unless Thor buys them.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by padlin

unless thor buys them.

bite your tongue!!!!!!

That's interesting - I typed the "Bite Your Tongue" in all caps & when posted, it switched to lower case. I did want to SHOUT!

[Kent]

Originally Posted by padlin

Unless Thor buys them.

bite it twice!

[freespirit]

as part of the expansion and since these trailers are made to order...perhaps ETI will install live cams in manufacturing so buyers can watch THEIR trailer get made live... start to finish ....

but then again after seeing that youtube time lapse video of a Jayco trailer being made..swore to never buy that brand!

still think it would be cool for a buyer to see THEIR trailer get made live though...

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by padlin

Unless Thor buys them.

One hopes they continue to own ETI from our standpoint, however, one caveat from the big entrepreneurs is you want to build a business up and try to time selling it. If you don't you risk riding it back down. Many family run businesses fall victim to staying in it too long. Occasionally, some beat the odds, but not often.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by padlin

Unless Thor buys them.

I can't afford to....

[amirie]

Funny you posted that Thoer---I was thinking of my sisters BIL Thor and knew he wouldn't!!! (but he already lives in Chilliwack)

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by padlin

Unless Thor buys them.

DON'T SAY THAT! That's been one of my fears for a long time. When I first met Reace a few years ago I asked him if ever planned on selling; "nope" was his answer thank goodness.

[float5]

They have children. Maybe they will want them to carry on the business. It's a great business to be in.

[SFDavis50]

Originally Posted by float5

They have children. Maybe they will want them to carry on the business. It's a great business to be in.

10,000 American baby boomers turning 65 every day--- for the next 15 years. Somewhere in there is a great market for travel trailers.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by SFDavis50

10,000 American baby boomers turning 65 every day--- for the next 15 years. Somewhere in there is a great market for travel trailers.

Good point. In addition, there are some younger people who know about Escapes and are logical buyers for "used" units to keep the pipeline flowing. There's a number of people who don't believe bigger is better too. Plenty of market, good product. I've sold family business produced products and watched the decline in service, especially parts and tech support when they sell out to a big, faceless outfit.
Dave

[float5]

Originally Posted by SFDavis50

10,000 American baby boomers turning 65 every day--- for the next 15 years. Somewhere in there is a great market for travel trailers.

10K boomers turning 65 every day, wow. A ready market. That is their biggest single age group of buyers, I believe, from the small sampling taken on the forum way back. Escape has a real family business going and it could just continue that way for a long time.

[cpaharley2008]

Perhaps Escape could offer stock shares to trailer owners, that way they could raise capital but still retain control and the stock owner can share in the profit via dividends.