CaravanTimes announces our second Facebook LIVE competition winner

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by Tom Leaning

Following the completion of our second CaravanTimes Facebook LIVE Giveaway, we can finally reveal our lucky winner and their prize.

Laura M France of Walsall in the West Midlands is our second winner of the CaravanTimes Facebook LIVE Giveaway, and received a hamper of goodies, including chocolate, coffee and Elddis merchandise, courtesy of Elddis – Congratulations, Laura!

Laura correctly answered five multiple choice questions about Elddis’ caravan brands, their construction methods and their recent competition to win an Elddis Avante 462 caravan for a year.

To remind you of the competition:

Elddis and The Caravan and Motorhome Club have been looking for an adventurous person – or couple – to live 2018 Season to the MAX with an all new Elddis touring caravan.

From Summer 2017 to Summer 2018, you could have a brand new and exclusive Elddis Avante 462 2-berth to go on the trip of a lifetime.

The deadline for applications has CLOSED at 12:00am Sunday 2nd July 2017 and the Winner will be announced Monday, 17 July 2017.

We’ll be conducting more Facebook LIVE Giveaway events throughout the year, so please look out for them on our our official page: RIGHT HERE

Have a great weekend everybody!

CAMC bring the Big Little Tent Festival to the Capital

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by Tom Leaning

Members of the CaravanTimes team were treated this week to a slap-up BBQ breakfast, courtesy of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, by the banks of the River Thames, overlooking Tower Bridge, in the heart of Londontown. The colourful event was all to celebrate the return of the Big Little Tent Festival, where families can be inspired to enjoy the outdoors all from the comfort of their own back gardens!

The Caravan and Motorhome Club are inviting all families, from 22 – 23 July, to experience the magic of the great outdoors, by pitching their tents in their own back gardens and host their own summer festival on their own terms. Families can Invite friends and neighbours to attend and join in the fun – have a BBQ, play some music, string up the fairy lights, tell stories and inspire the whole family to enjoy the great outdoors (but with the facilities of your own home within walking distance!).

Register for your free festival pack HERE

The CAMC have kindly offered to supply the bunting, flags and wristbands to complete your festival experience. Simply register for your free festival pack, and the CAMC will send you everything you need to get your party started.

What’s more, by registering for your pack you have the option to be entered into an exclusive prize draw to win a European camping holiday for four, including tent and ferry crossing.

Make your festival your own

There’s plenty to do in your back garden – here’s a few activity ideas from the CAMC that you could organise for your special day of fun:

  • face painting;
  • hunting for creepy crawlies;
  • make your own burgers;
  • build a bug hotel;
  • host a talent show

So what are you waiting for? Pitch your tents, light up your BBQs, string up your bunting and celebrate the great outdoors with your very own Big Little Tent Festival today, and share your photos with us on social media using #BLTF17

Check out this Caravan and Motorhome Club video from one of last year’s Big Little Tent Festivals:

For more information and to register for your packs, visit the Big Little Tent Festival web page HERE!

CCC partners with Bailey to aim for safer caravanning with a new range of tourers

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by Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

The Camping and Caravanning Club has a new partnership with Bailey of Bristol to try and make caravanning safer for new buyers and more experienced caravanners by updating towing skills and making sure people have safer journeys.

There will be a set of 12 brand new tourers from Bailey’s award-winning Pursuit range, which will be situated at the Club’s accredited training centres all over the UK. The members will use them to get towing experience which is a part of the CCC’s caravan manoeuvring courses. The Club’s insurance provider, Club Care has committed to the long term sponsorship of the caravans and their manoeuvring courses.

The caravans can be used by people who aren’t members at the Club’s ‘Towing Experience’ initiatives, which occur at major industry shows and offer first-time caravanners a chance to try towing on the open road and become comfortable with the experience.

The main aims of the Club are to achieve safer caravanning, and to build the skill and confidence of new and older caravanners.

The manoeuvring courses are led by professional driving instructors, and are split into two groups, beginner courses and advanced courses. To participate in the manoeuvring courses, caravan owners need to bring their own car fitted with a tow bar, and then they will be paired with a suitable caravan from the brand-new Bailey fleet.

The beginners course encompasses many basic but vital lessons in how to maintain and drive a caravan safely, such as how to safely load a caravan, how to level it, how to hitch and unhitch, and the course includes tips on manoeuvring through a slalom course. In addition that the course includes a one-to-one driving session with an instructor, who gives each course attendee on-the-road tips and guidance.

The advanced course focuses on the harder and more complex aspects of caravanning including practical training, hill starts, driving on motorways and dual carriageways, as well as reversing and pitching on site.

You can choose from three locations in the North, South and Midlands: Haywards Heath in West Sussex; Rufforth in North Yorkshire; and also at the Club’s own headquarters in Coventry.

The Towing Match Service helps members find what tow cars and caravans are best for them and make sure they are a safe and legal pairing. The Tow Car Awards is an annual test programme, where experts put new cars with suitably weighted caravans, through a series of in-depth tests on a private proving ground, with reviews of each car tested published online.

Simon Howard, Marketing Director for Bailey of Bristol, said: “We’ve worked closely with the University of Bath, who have carried out a great deal of research into trailer stability and towing dynamics, and have incorporated this into the design of our Pursuit caravans, such as ensuring there is less weight at the front and rear of the caravan. We’re delighted to support the Club in these initiatives, and are confident the experiences will help people appreciate the many joys of caravanning.”

Robert Louden MBE, Director General of The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “The Club takes the issue of safer caravanning very seriously indeed. By providing high-quality training courses for both new and more experienced caravanners, we aim to equip our caravanning members with the skills and understanding they need to feel confident and relaxed on their British and overseas caravan holidays.”

The CCC, being a member of the FIA, supports the current #3500Lives road safety campaign, which features celebrity international ambassadors including Rafael Nadal, Fernando Alonso and Pharrell Williams. Find out more about the campaign at #3500Lives.

For more information on the Club’s caravan manoeuvring courses visit:
Manoeuvring Couses

For more on the Club’s Towing Match service visit:
Towing Match Service

For more information on Bailey of Bristol visit:
Bailey of Bristol

And for the Tow Car Awards visit:
The Tow Car Awards

Couple turns £1.2k bus into a luxury motorhome worth over £11k

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by Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

A couple has spent the last 6 years converting a £1,200 bus they bought on eBay into a luxurious motorhome. They used their converted leisure vehicle to tour the UK, France and Belgium with their three children – and they’ve now sold it for over £11,800!

Tom Grantham and his partner Kay Barnes had been wanting to buy a motorhome when they discovered a 23-year-old Stagecoach bus on eBay and decided it would be a great challenge to make a motorhome out of it. Six years and £10,000 of investment later, and the couple have crafted a stunning motorhome, perfect for touring with the family. The £10,000 went to completely refitting the bus, a complete repaint, putting in three double beds, a kitchen, a shower, a toilet and even a log fire!

There is no doubting that this challenge was a huge success for the family as they ended up spending less than they would have buying a second-hand motorhome, and it it was a great experience for the children, learning about the world of DIY and enjoying the journey across Europe.

Speaking to LadBible, Tom said: “We got trains back to France and stopped off at Disneyland Paris, which of course the kids appreciated,” adding “They absolutely love going places on the bus.”

Tom, Kay and their three children inside their converted motorhome. (Photo credits: Caters)

Despite making these wonderful memories with their kids, the couple have decided that it was time for their next challenge and put the motorhome back on eBay with a bid going as high as at least £11,800. That’s a tidy profit for a great experience!

Anyway, have you ever wanted the motorhoming experience without forking out too much cash? Well, Tom and Kay have proven that it’s more than possible to do so and get the most out of the journey at the same time.

CaravanTimes wishes them the very best of luck on their next challenge and we want to know, what kind of things have you guys done to make your caravanning or motorhoming experiences unique? Please share them below!

FEATURE: 21st century caravan construction: How are caravans made today?

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by Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

Regardless of your chosen caravan manufacturer, construction methods have changed unrecognisably over the last decade. Early adopters, Bailey of Bristol, were the first to change their construction with the introduction of Alu-Tech, but each of the manufacturers have done things in there own way. Below we have provided you with a quick synopsis of how all the main manufacturers make their caravans.

Bailey

It could be argued that the birth of Alu-Tech construction was a crucial turning point in the process of building a caravan. The Alu-Tech process means that the individual body shell components contribute to the whole strength of the structure rather than the components having to rely only on the floor and chassis. In moving forward with this innovation, Bailey aimed to reduce water ingress and weight, whilst increasing durability and aerodynamics of their caravans. Pictures from the launch of Alu-Tech show a Volvo sitting on a new Alu-Tech caravan.

Coachman

Coachman released ABC or the Advanced Bonded Construction technique in 2015. ABC is designed to “virtually eliminate the threat of water ingress” through using Bonding rather than screwing to hold the caravan together. Whilst 2015 seems late compared to other manufactures Coachman were one of the first companies to adopt the bonded construction technique and have been bonding parts of their caravans for many years. As well as reduction of water ingress ABC allows coachman to look at new ways of reducing the mass of their caravans. By replacing timber with lighter but stronger polyurethane materials and by removing screw fixings from the outside of their caravans ABC is coachman’s way forward.

Elddis

Elddis’s now famous SoLiD construction stands for Strong, Light and Dry. The Durham-based constructor, introduced the “first and only fully-bonded construction system” for caravans. Their caravans are stronger because they spread the stress evenly. The fully bonded construction makes for stronger but lighter vehicles. They have over 95 per cent fewer exterior screws to create a barrier against water ingress. A big selling point for Elddis is the fact that this construction system is used on Formula 1 cars, super yachts and the wings of aeroplanes. Elddis released SoLiD across all models at the same time so any Elddis built after 2013 will be bonded.

Swift

Smart was launched by the Swift Group in 2012. Different to other manufacturers, the Swift Group introduced Smart system in different stages to different products in both caravans and motorhomes. Swift kept refining this construction mechanism, and by 2017 all Swift coach-built motorhomes and caravans were made with Smart+ technology and some premium products in both caravans and motorhomes had Smart HT. This may seem complicated, but actually the two construction methods are virtually identical with Smart+ being built in the same way as Smart HT, the main difference being the fact that Smart HT uses better or more expensive materials in the premium ranges. The whole idea of Smart is it utilises GRP to the maximum, i.e. the outer and inner walls of all the panels are GRP sandwiching a thermal material -i.e. polystyrene and polyurethane, which is similar to Coachman, who also use polyurethane blocks. This combined with the aluminium frame removes timber from the structure of the vehicle making it stronger and more resistant to water. Swift is also focused on making their caravans more aerodynamic by changing the design so that air glides over the body, reducing drag.

Lunar

While the other manufacturers we have discussed have been focusing more on reinventing the game and focusing on new technologies, Lunar has stuck to the more traditional methods of caravan construction. Opposed to most of the other major manufacturers, Lunar still uses wood. Obeche Wood is very lightweight and produces beautiful natural results. This results in caravans that are easier to tow and more economic in terms of fuel.

Adria

The Adria vehicles with ‘Comprex’ which combines the “torsional strength of wood, the durability of polyurethane and the moisture stopping properties of polyester”. Adria’s ‘i-shaped’ exterior means they have a great shape for airflow to reduce drag.

All these companies have been trying to fight the problem of water ingress, which is when water begins to leak through your car or caravan due to gaps in the construction of the vehicle. The reason that many of these companies have been trying to get rid of wood from the caravan build is because wood needs to be connected via screws which means there will be gaps for water ingress to occur. So the companies need to be reducing the possibility of this because no one wants to spend tens of thousands of pounds on a caravan or motorhome, only for it to start leaking and become damaged. And if it does happen, it reduces the level of trust customers have in your company.

It is undeniable that over the last ten years the construction of caravans has changed drastically, and the attitudes and adaptations of the major manufacturers reflects this. Some companies have welcomed the change in technology and embraced it by completely changing their design and construction process, whereas some have tried to stick by the traditional methods and change them so that they are more effective but still keep the core principles.

So, the question is, do you believe that the traditional process still reigns victorious or do you think that the change over the past ten years paves the way for the future of caravanning, a future which includes better, lighter and more luxurious caravans? Please share and discuss your thoughts below!

CCC annual Youth Rally heads to Ballymena in Northern Ireland

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by Tom Leaning

The Camping and Caravanning Club’s (CCC) annual Youth Rally is heading to Northern Ireland over the weekend 30 June – 2 July for the first time in over a decade.

The busy event, held at the Ballymena Showground, will be attended by more than 300 people from all over the UK, and boasts a packed schedule of activity, including sports, evening discos, games and trips off site.

Camping Club Youth is the Club’s dedicated youth section, open to children aged 12-17, and highlights for attendees include an afternoon trip to follow the Causeway Coastal Tour, with the Giant’s Causeway itself around 30 miles away.

The Giant’s Causeway is looked after by The National Trust, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, formed as a result of intense volcanic and geological activity dating back 60 million years. En route, the group will travel via The Dark Hedges, a popular filming location featured recently on hit TV series Game of Thrones.

Youths aged 14 and above can complete the Camping Club Youth Test, and if they pass they benefit from free Club membership up to the age of 21, and licence to camp on any of the Club’s network of more than 100 Club Sites or club-run meets without their parents. The Youth Test also makes ideal training for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, and the Club is licensed as an operating authority of the DofE Award.

This year, a total of three Certificate of Achievement awards will be presented to current Club Youth members across the weekend. Awards are given based on an individual’s achievements when camping, with prizes including vouchers to the value of £100-£300 for use at selected outdoor retailers.

All Youth members attending the National Youth Rally receive a commemorative hoodie and goodie bag. The showground itself now features an all-new three-story grandstand, which affords great views of the Antrim Plateau and Slemish Mountain.

Brian Willis, the Club’s Regional Youth Liaison Officer for Northern Ireland and National Youth Rally 2017 Chairman, said: “I’d like to thank our many local sponsors for helping us to put on and arrange this year’s event. The Club’s youth leaders each do great work to develop our young teenagers into mature and responsible adults, and I look forward to celebrating the success of several of these teenagers at this year’s awards ceremony.”

For information on Camping Club Youth and the 2017 National Youth Rally, visit: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campingclubyouth

Red Bull F1 drivers prepare for Austrian Grand Prix with spectacular caravan racing video

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By Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

Red Bull Formula 1 racing drivers Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo have decided to prepare for the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix by taking a spin around the Red Bull Ring in the city of Spielberg in a slightly unconventional way…..they’re towing caravans!

Verstappen is a 19 year old Dutch F1 driver who is used to breaking records; over the past two seasons, Max has become the youngest driver to compete in Formula 1, the youngest to lead a lap during a Formula 1 race, the youngest to score points and the youngest driver to ever win a Grand Prix, by triumphing at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

Ricciardo is an Australian Formula 1 driver who replaced compatriot Mark Webber at Red Bull back in 2014. Most recently, the 27 year-old, won the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend, moving him up into fourth position in the F1 Drivers’ Championship standings.

However, when most people would be expecting them to be preparing for the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix using their latest Formula 1 cars, Ricciardo and Verstappen were instead using an alternative training method: Attaching Red Bull-emblazoned caravans to the back of their Aston Martin Vanquish Volante racing cars, the Red Bull drivers proceeded to put aside their BBQ equipment and race each other around the circuit with entertaining results:

As the two drivers quickly learnt how fast they could go without tipping over their respective caravans on each corner, the race produced some spectacular slow-motion footage, full of sparks, burning rubber and two very happy Red Bull employees struggling to contain their enjoyment!

Unsurprisingly, the poor caravans didn’t last too long with Formula 1 drivers behind the wheel but the competition was close. The caravans tried to cling on to the back of the cars but their survival chances were always slim. Here at CaravanTimes, we agree with Ricciardo: get rid of the conventional F1 format and just have caravan races on Sundays! However, our hearts go out to the caravans that were heartlessly destroyed during the production of this video. Have a watch of this behind the scenes footage for more caravan racing action:

Maybe F1 Caravan Racing could be the way forward to settle disputes in the industry, especially after recent incidents, including Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel’s little tête-à-tête last weekend. The incident involved Hamilton suddenly braking while following a safety car, which caught Vettel unawares and resulted in the Ferrari driver colliding into the back of the Briton. Whether it was intentional or not, Vettel angrily responded by driving alongside Hamilton and intentionally swerving into him.

But the dispute didn’t end during the race. Afterwards, the German claimed Hamilton ‘brake-tested him’, implying he did it on purpose and Hamilton called Vettel ‘a disgrace.’ The media was split on who to blame for the incident, with many siding with Hamilton, saying Vettel should take the blame but there were some people who thought Hamilton was partially responsible. What do you think?

Maybe the two should settle their differences over an F1 caravan race. Sound like a plan guys?

The 2017 Austrian Grand Prix officially starts on Sunday, 9th July. Who will finish higher, Verstappen or Ricciardo?

Birmingham NEC October Motorhome and Caravan Show on sale now

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by Tom Leaning

Tickets for the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2017, to be held at Birmingham’s NEC from 17 to 22 October, are now available online at www.mcshow.co.uk and by phone on 0844 873 7333.

The UK’s largest leisure vehicle show features more than 700 motorhomes and caravans from major manufacturers, dealers and specialists alongside campervans and trailer tents. New products and range launches for the 2017/2018 season are displayed together with caravan holiday homes, lodges and every accessory needed for holidays and leisure time outdoors.

The Motorhome and Caravan Show 2017 covers 11 halls of the NEC in Birmingham. New products are officially launched daily, and feature areas include new-for-2017 attractions; entertainment in the LIVE Theatre includes presentations and demonstrations from celebrities, adventurers and travel and industry experts. The Woodland Trust returns to the show, joining The Caravan and Motorhome Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club as official show partners. Black Horse Finance, the headline show sponsor, provides specialist support to caravan and motorhome owners looking for advice and finance options on their next leisure vehicle purchase.

Recognised as the industry’s launchpad for next year’s holiday season, the show attracts around 100,000 visitors, reflecting the UK’s buoyant market for both caravans and motorhomes. Jenny Summers, Group Marketing Director of The NCC commented: “The leisure vehicle industry enjoyed significant sales last year, with the trend continuing into 2017 and a bright outlook. The October show promises exciting launches from caravan and motorhome manufacturers and dealers, which continue to invest in new products for a strong market.”

Advance ticket prices* start from £8.50, with children under 16 entering free.

Visit: www.thenec.co.uk to purchase your advanced tickets TODAY!

Adria unveil new Sun Living motorhome range for 2018

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by Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

Adria have unveiled the all new Sun Living entry level motorhome range, which has been completely refreshed for the forthcoming season.

Adria first introduced the Slovenian-built Sun Living brand in 2008, as a sister brand to the main Adria brand, with a selected range of the most popular motorhomes, and vans. Fast forward to 2017 and the new Sun Living brand has been relaunched, with an entirely new and innovative vehicle lineup. Adria plans to build on its sales success so far and accelerate it with an innovative range of new Sun Living camper vans and motorhomes which will be available this autumn.

The new Sun Living brand has a complete new identity with a fresh blue logo, all new graphic design and a new “communications approach”. The brand launches from 1st July and will be premiered at the Dusseldorf Fair at the end of August and vehicles will be arriving in over 160 Sun Living dealerships across Europe this autumn.

The new Sun Living core values are

  • Easy: A brand new range of motorhomes and camper vans, making touring holidays more convenient and ownership more simple. Easy to choose and own vehicles with smart layouts, features and specifications.
  • Innovative: New thinking for a new generation. Explore new spaces which are transformed by innovative new approaches. Bedrooms which hide-away to become additional day-time living
    space, bathrooms which hide-away when not in use to free up more space. And smart new
    features and new layouts too.
  • Connected: New Sun Living vehicles will offer the opportunity for users to stay connected when travelling, to share experiences, and be part of the new Sun Living community.
  • Made by Adria-Mobil: New Sun Living motorhomes and camper vans are designed and
    manufactured by Adria Mobil, one of Europe’s leading recreational vehicle manufacturers since
    1965. Purpose-built in the most advanced state-of- the-art factory in Europe.
  • Exceptional Value for Money: New Sun Living vehicles offer the latest in design, innovation
    and comfort at exceptional value for money.

New thinking for a new generation

The new Sun Living line-up includes innovative new takes on the Camper Van, a new motorhome where the customer can decide between Crossover or Semi-integrated format and a
new ‘alcoven’ (overcab) motorhome format.

There’s also original thinking when it comes to space. Bedrooms by night, become additional living space by day. Bathrooms which rotate and open up the kitchen and floor space. New living flexibility for the user thanks to unique new ‘hide-away’ solutions.

Matjaz Grm, the company’s Executive Sales and Marketing Director, commented:

“Our research shows us that there are many people with an interest in the motorhome lifestyle but who haven’t yet found the right brand or products to make the step into ownership.

“They like to travel independently, they may have experienced camping and want to choose a brand which meets their specific needs. A brand with vehicles that are simple to use and own, which are well-designed with innovative features, plenty of interior space and with layouts that suit the way they like to live when traveling in their free time.

“Our new Sun Living brand a range of motorhomes and camper vans are designed for these newcomers who may be in their thirties, forties or older, it’s not about age – it’s about attitude.

“They are heavily influenced by the millennials new way of looking at the world. They like to travel, free time is cherished and is all about having experiences and sharing them. They are discerning consumers, connected and social – online and in person.

“We believe new Sun Living will also attract existing owners from other brands through our innovative new designs which open up new flexible living spaces and the surety of our ‘Made by Adria Mobil’ and our value for money proposition.

“We also see additional opportunity in rental. Our new Sun Living vehicles are made at the Adria factory – the best manufacturing facilities in the industry. Our new Sun Living vehicles are robustly designed and built. This, the simple to understand model line-up, the right layouts and features and the combination of outstanding value and easy-to- maintain vehicles, will also strengthen Sun Living’s appeal in the rental sector.”

For more information about the new Sun Living entry-level motorhome range visit, www.uk.adria-mobil.com

Bailey Owner Club Organise Charity Rally for Dementia UK – Open To All.

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by Daniel Cartwright

The Bailey Owners Club have organised a Charity Rally on Behalf of Dementia UK. On the 23rd to 28th of August 2017 at Ratcliffe College in Leicester (full details lower down)

IMPORTANT: Whilst BOC have organised this event, it is open to everyone, Caravanners, Motorhomers, Swift owner, Elddis owner, Coachman, Auto-Trail, Auto-sleeper, Lunar, Airstream, Tab, Vanmaster, Compass, ABI, Penine, Gober, VW, Vango owners… you get the idea. Everyone and literally everyone and their dog are welcome and encouraged to come.

Dementia has unfortunately touched most peoples lives and Dementia UK is a charity (1039404) that helps families face dementia. They provide everything from specialist one-to-one support, to expert advise. Helping families face the the challenges of tomorrow with positivity and confidence.

The rally itself will be fun, with Live Music, a BBQ, Games, Stalls, Charity Auctions and a Raffle. For more information either:

Email: charity17@baileyownersclubc.org
Visit the website: www.baileyownersclub.org

For any non-Bailey owners out there who would like to attend but are nervous about not owning a Bailey – don’t be. We at CaravanTimes have spent a lot of time with the BOC and they are a great, friendly bunch. They are fun, welcoming and are always ready to offer a cup of tea or glass of wine.

Contact Details:
Ratcliffe College
Fosse Way
Ratcliffe on the Wreak
Leicester
LE7 4SG

23 – 28 August 2017

Equistone invests in leading static caravan manufacturer Willerby

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by Tom Leaning

Equistone Partners Europe Limited (Equistone), a leading mid-market private equity investor, has announced its investment in Willerby, the a UK manufacturer of static holiday homes, including caravans and lodges.

Equistone has acquired a majority stake in the Company from Caird Capital. The financial terms of the investment are undisclosed.

Founded in 1946, Willerby has established itself within the UK holiday home market as a brand associated with premium quality, technical innovation, and breadth of offering. From its two recently expanded production sites in Hull employing about 900 people, Willerby today manufactures approximately 70 different models of static caravans and lodges across 23 product ranges at a variety of price points. The Company is the largest provider of static caravans and lodges in the UK, serving the retail and fleet markets through its strong and extensive national dealer network and long-standing relationships with holiday park operators.

Willerby generates an annual turnover of £155 million. Equistone’s investment will support the Company’s expansion within the growing UK holiday home market by leveraging its strong brand, new product development, and quality production to meet growing consumer demand.

Andi Tomkinson, Investment Director at Equistone Partners Europe, said: “Willerby is the clear UK market leader in terms of both scale and breadth of product offering. It also enjoys an established reputation for quality and innovation rooted in over seven decades of its history, and has exhibited strong growth in recent years. When you combine this with the attractive fundamentals of the wider UK holiday home sector – namely a strengthening ‘grey pound’ driven by demographic change and the long-term upswing in Britons’ propensity for ‘staycations’ – the opportunity to invest was an exciting one. We look forward to working with CEO Peter Munk and the entire Willerby team to help the business realise its potential for further growth.”

Peter Munk, CEO of Willerby, commented: “The market opportunity within the UK holiday home sector is exciting and, with our scale, skilled passionate people, technical innovations, and leading production, we are well-placed to capitalise upon it. We’re delighted to have found in Equistone an investor with not only a proven track record in supporting mid-market companies’ growth, but also an understanding of the importance of our proud history of premium quality and technical innovation to the Willerby brand’s success.”

Andi Tomkinson and Richard Briault-Hutter from Equistone led the investment.

Equistone was advised on the acquisition by Lincoln International, Marlborough Partners, Travers Smith, EY, OC&C Strategy Consultants, Newton, and PwC. Caird Capital was advised on the sale by DC Advisory, DLA Piper, L.E.K. Consulting, and PwC. Willerby’s management was advised by Jamieson Corporate Finance and CMS.

Bailey moves to strengthen position in Australian market with new locally built product ranges

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by Tom Leaning

Seven years after introducing the Bailey caravan brand into Australia, the Bristol-based company is reaffirming its commitment to this key export market with further investment in new distribution outlets and new locally manufactured products.

According to Bailey, the Australian caravan market is currently about the same size as that of the UK, but a great deal more fragmented with approximately 130 indigenous manufacturers.

Initially, Bailey carved a niche for itself thereby supplying models from its existing UK Pursuit, Pegasus and Unicorn ranges that were tailored to suit the local market* – both in terms of product specification (for example, the fitment of such items as on-board water tanks and air conditioning units) and ensuring that they were fully compliant with stringent Australian type approval standards.

In order to capitalise fully on the opportunity that this important market affords, Bailey took the decision in 2015 to form a wholly owned subsidiary in the country. Two years on and Melbourne-based Bailey Leisure Pty Ltd is now an established manufacturing company producing up to 300+ caravans per year. The first locally produced Bailey range was the Rangefinder which was developed using a combination of Anglo-Australian design expertise to create models specifically tailored to the Australian audience. Other than the caravan body shell panels, which are supplied from Bailey UK’s Large Panel Manufacturing Plant in the UK, all other components of the vehicle are sourced locally.

Such has been the popularity of the Rangefinder that Bailey Australia will shortly be introducing its second new range, the Coastal, later this year. For full information on the Bailey Australia product ranges please visit www.baileyaustralia.com.au.

As in the UK, one of the key selling points for Bailey caravans in Australia is the Alu-Tech body shell construction system. This fully patented technology produces vehicles that are more robust, more durable and yet lighter than those manufactured using conventional methods and offer greater protection against the elements to keep owners comfortable, safe and secure all year round. All of which makes caravans built this way ideally suited for the rugged terrain and harsh climatic conditions found ‘Down Under’. To date, approaching 50,000 Alu-Tech leisure vehicles have been built and are currently being enjoyed all over the world.

To prove this point, Bailey Australia took two Rangefinder caravans on the ultimate 6,000 km endurance challenge from the west to the east coast straight through the centre of the country. This unique test took the caravans through some of the most remote parts of Australian Outback travelling over approximately 2,200km of gravel, dirt and corrugated roads in the process. During this two-week structural examination, the two Bailey caravans stood up to everything thrown at them and safely negotiated all of the obstacles put in their path – showing they could hold their own in even the toughest conditions.

Here’s the highlights from the 2015 expedition:

Bailey caravans are sold in Australia through a national Retailer network and at the 40+ state and regional shows held throughout the year. In order to improve the distribution of its products in this competitive market, in a new move, Bailey has established the first of its own solus dealerships in Morisset, Northern New South Wales. Stocking a full range of new and pre-owned Bailey caravans, Bailey New South Wales also boasts a first-class service centre, leisure store, and storage facilities. For more details please visit http://www.baileynsw.com.au/. Following the success of this new venture Bailey is planning to open its second retail outlet in Queensland later this year.

Bailey (UK) Managing Director, Nick Howard, said: “We have invested over £2 million to date in establishing our presence in Australia. The decision to start manufacturing bespoke Australian products in Melbourne is really beginning to pay dividends in terms of sales growth and we anticipate that this will become an increasingly important market for Bailey going forward”.

*Please note: Australian specification caravans can only be purchased locally through Approved Australian Retailers and cannot be supplied to customers in the UK.