A major blow to the economy in the south Okanagan. General Coach has issued layoff notices to 86 people working in the Oliver BC plant.
JACKSON CENTER, Ohio — Thor Industries, Inc. announced today that it is consolidating production at its Canadian company, General Coach, from two manufacturing locations to one. In the process, Thor is shuttering its Oliver, British Columbia production facility and moving all General Coach RV and Park Model production to its other facility in Hensall, Ontario.
“While we regret the closure of our Oliver, BC plant, our General Coach Canada dealer partners and consumers can be better served through a single point of manufacture in Ontario,” said Dicky Riegel, Thor Chief Operating Officer.
Thor expects the wind-down of production in Oliver to be completed by the end of the calendar year. General Coach will work closely with all of its dealers to ensure that delivery of product, and parts, service and warranty support are uninterrupted.
“This move will improve product design, quality and pricing for all General Coach dealers,” said Roger Faulkner, president of General Coach Canada. “We will be in contact with all of our dealer and campground partners in the coming days to discuss how this change will benefit their locations.”
SOURCE: Thor Industries press release
Roger Faulkner, general manager of General Coach says that their head office in New York (Thor Industries) has ordered the Oliver plant be shut down due to the lack of market competitiveness resulting from the strong Canadian Dollar. 86 employees affected will be looked after with extended notice. The plant has employed over 100 persons at its peak of production.
It is believed this decision is the final decision and the plant will not re-open.
Western Facility
9316-348th Ave.
Oliver, British Co
V0H 1T0
General Coach Oliver is the only RV manufacturer in North America that guarantees its fifth wheels and travel trailers to -30 degrees C and certifies them for year-round living. The Oliver manufacturing plant will market its new and existing line of all season RV’s to all General Coach dealers, east and west.
Roger Faulkner has been involved in the manufacture, sale, set-up and regulation of park model trailers, mobile homes and recreational vehicles for more than 40 years. Roger has been a Director and President of the CRVA (Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association) and is one of the founding members of Go RVing, the marketing arm for the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Industry.
General Coach is a Thor Industries company. Thor is the world’s largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles and a major builder of commercial buses.
Owned by the largest manufacturer in the world, Thor Industries Inc., General Coach Canada is one of the pioneers with 59 years experience in the RV Industry. With plants in Hensall, Ontario and Oliver, British Columbia General Coach is able to provide the best in service across Canada. We build a complete line of recreational vehicles including Citation/Corsair Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels and Truck Campers. Also producing 102” Park Trailers and a complete line of Huron Ridge Park Models ranging from 12’, 13’, 14’, 16’, 20’ & 24’ wide. Our commitment to quality and our philosophy of putting the customer first has lead to our continuous growth. This is also one of the reasons we are able to offer our customers a five year warranty on all of our products.
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