EHG UK proposes production shake-up that could see motorhome and campervan production move out of Britain
The Elddis Unlimited plans are still just proposals, the company says, but could see motorhome production move to Germany and campervan production move to Poland.
Erwin Hymer UK is proposing changes in its business that could, if implemented, mean the end of production of all new motorhomes and campervans at its current main site at Consett, County Durham.
Under the Elddis Unlimited plans – which the company says are currently still just proposals – all new motorhome production would move to a site at Isny in southern Germany, where its Erwin Hymer Group sister brand Dethleffs currently makes its vehicles.
All new campervan production would move to another site owned by the Erwin Hymer Group at Nowa Sol in Poland, which the company says is its “dedicated campervan centre of excellence”. (A decision on caravan production is still to be made.)
The site at Consett would remain as a base for management and marketing and as the Elddis Experience Centre – a hub for service, warranties and R&D operations, as well as training, dealer engagement, and customer interaction.
The company, which produces vehicles under the Xplore and recently relaunched Buccaneer brand as well as Elddis itself, says it is launching the proposals in the wake of declining caravan registrations and increased demand for campervans and motorhomes in the UK.
It says the Elddis Unlimited strategy takes advantage of the “scale of opportunity now available to the brand through its close integration with Erwin Hymer Group – unlocking unlimited capability, innovation, product performance, and potential while remaining true to what Elddis stands for”.
It stresses that the changes, if made, will have no impact on customer support, warranty provision or dealer relationships.
There is no word as yet on potential job losses in the wake of this process. “Our ultimate priority throughout this process remains our employees, dealers and customers where we are in close contact with all,” a company spokesperson said.
“We continue with our strong relationship and partnership with dealers and they can expect to receive high quality motorised RV specified and designed by Elddis, tailored to the needs of our UK customers at competitive prices,” they added.
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