In part one on the growing number of Colorado RV manufacturers, RV News looked at two factors helping Colorado RV manufacturers grow their businesses: proximity to the backcountry and centrally located outdoor-oriented clientele.
Three other factors keep manufacturers in the area: local economic conditions, manufacturing infrastructure and labor resources.
Local economic conditions
Boreas Campers, a manufacturer of overlanding travel trailers, moved operations to Pueblo, about two hours from the greater Denver area, in April 2022.
Boreas Campers founder and President Matt Reichel said the company moved to Pueblo because of its cost of living and location.
“As we dug farther into it, we found Pueblo has a robust economic development program for us to tap into,” Reichel said.
The Pueblo Economic Development Corp. (PEDCO) gives incentives to companies creating jobs in Pueblo. PEDCO is particularly interested in attracting companies involved in the outdoor recreation industry.
For Wanderbox co-founder Mike Bristol, Colorado’s cost of living, growth and economy are all reasons to stay in Colorado.
“The politics are pretty neutral and it is business-friendly when you compare it to California or New York,” Bristol said. “We got into our manufacturing space in Mead in January. They have been very accommodating. It has been easier than expected to find a functional facility to support both our manufacturing and office HQ needs that is only 30 minutes from (Denver International Airport) or downtown Denver, so we feel happy about that. Plus, we love Colorado.”
Manufacturing infrastructure
Reichel said numerous manufacturers in the state, ranging from small companies to large ones such as Boeing or windmill makes, provided an infrastructure base that aids RV manufacturers.
“There are some heavy hitters that allow for infrastructure for supply,” Reichel said.
Boreas is located near sheet metal suppliers and powder coating composite suppliers. Pueblo also is a known center for steel manufacturing.
Robert J. Reeve, founder, and co-owner of Hiker Trailer, relies on local steel suppliers to create his company’s camping trailers. However, some products are getting more difficult to source.
“Getting some products is harder. Rising costs are causing Colorado builders to increase costs,” Reeve said. “Plus, there is a 12–18-week lead time on materials.”
Reeve sources the company’s camper doors and windows from manufacturers in Elkhart, Indiana.
Bristol said Wanderbox uses local suppliers where possible. The company has had to build lead time into its production process to accommodate supply chain challenges.
“We have been successful, but we have definitely had to navigate some of the supply chain hurdles,” he said.
F-600 truck chassis have been hard to come by, he said.
Labor resources
According to Reichel, Pueblo is an area rich with skilled labor, in large part because of the infrastructure created by larger manufacturing operations nearby.
“We have been able to tap into a really solid group of skilled workers as well,” he said. “We have been able to ramp up very quickly. We have hired and increased our production a little ahead of schedule.”
It does not hurt that Boreas Camper builds a product most workers can relate to.
“Our competitors, in terms of bringing employees in, they build railroad ties, and they build windmills and blades,” Reichel said. “We can produce a product that people can conceptualize a little bit more. They have a little more pride in the product and maybe, down the line, they will buy a camper.”
Reeve too employs workers who highly relate to the products they manufacture. Employees are outdoorsy and many of them use the company’s product which is exciting, he said, although hiring skilled labor is becoming more difficult.
Expansion continues
Colorado’s RV manufacturers have increased in number and size over the past five years.
In addition to those mentioned, Colorado Teardrops in Boulder was founded in 2014 and now employs 40. Truck camper manufacturers Hallmark Manufacturing, Inc. and Outfitter Manufacturing have served Colorado for decades. Outfitter Manufacturing was purchased in early 2019 by Monarch Crest Capital, Inc.
The area hosts at least seven small RV manufacturers including:
