Nappanee, Indiana-based Chase Manufacturing, an RV wood component supplier, has acquired Elkhart, Indiana-based Native Hardwoods.
The deal unites top RV wood product suppliers in the region, Chase Manufacturing said, adding a production facility and 100 employees with one focus “to provide the highest quality wood components in the RV industry.”
“We have a much broader portion of the market now. Native has been the standard bearer for quality products in the market for 39 years. It is very humbling to me that the timing worked out,” said Zack Nickell, Chase Manufacturing owner. “They had more than one offer and they chose to work with us.”
Chase and Native supply decorative products used in RVs including cabinet doors, drawers, moldings and ceiling features. The companies specialize in complete wood packages for upscale model RVs.
Nickell said the two companies share similar core values and he appreciates Native’s owners’ confidence.
“They are our most direct competitor. Even though we essentially had no overlapping customers,” he said. “Operationally, a lot of what I would identify as the strengths of Chase Manufacturing would be the weakness at Native and the strengths at Native would be the weaknesses at Chase. There is an opportunity for each of those operations to learn and benefit from the strengths of the other.”
Native Hardwoods was founded by Rick Milanese, Judi and Jim Edmundson in 1983. The company’s products are used Forest River And REV Group RVs.
“After 40 years it is time for the current ownership to retire,” Jim Edmundson said. “The transfer of ownership to Zack and his team will provide a combination of talent and resources that is best for our customers, employees and suppliers.”
Nickell said they are excited for the company’s possibilities in the new year.
“There is so much unknown with what is going on with the market right now, with all the excess inventory and all these places cutting back on production,” he said. “Our hope is to continue and meet the quality standards that our customers have grown to expect from us.”
