Europe’s Erwin Hymer Group (EHG) acquires Roadtrek

Erwin Hymer Group (EHG) acquires Roadtrek, North America’s leading manufacturer of Class B motorhomes.

Bad Waldsee (Germany), Kitchener, ON (Canada), 23 February 2016 – Erwin Hymer Group, Europe’s largest motorhome and caravan manufacturer and Industrial Opportunity Partners, LLC (IOP), a capital investment fund from Illinois (USA), have agreed to the acquisition of all shares in Roadtrek Motorhomes, Inc. including its U.S. subsidiary Roadtrek Motorhomes USA, Inc. by Erwin Hymer Group.

After the closing date the company name will change to Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc. Jim Hammill, formerly the CEO of Roadtrek Motorhomes, Inc. will become the president and CEO of this newly formed company.

• This strategic acquisition allows EHG to enter the North American market as the first European manufacturer of RVs.
• Erwin Hymer Group will rely on the existing Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. management team in order to introduce further EHG brands – first and foremost HymerCar – into the North American market.
• The agreement includes comprehensive commitments on the safeguarding of work places.
• The production facility in Kitchener, ON (Canada) is to be extended further to allow for the local production of vehicles from different brands of EHG.
• The transaction is to be completed on 24 February 2016 (closing date).
• Thus, Roadtrek Motorhomes, Inc. will become Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.

Roadtrek – for 25 years the Number 1 in the Class B segment

Roadtrek Motorhomes, Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer of Class B motorhomes (compact leisure vehicles) with headquarters in Kitchener, Ontario (Canada). Founded in the 1970s, the company employs a staff of 300 and operates mainly in the U.S. and Canada. It runs two production facilities in Kitchener (Ontario). In the course of the firm’s history, its dedicated team of engineers has repeatedly developed innovative technology such as the use of solar energy, lithium batteries as well as heating and air conditioning controls via smart phone or tablet. Roadtrek maintains a market share of 30% in the North American market for class B motorhomes which makes it the market leader in this segment.

Roadtrek Motorhomes, Inc.’s management team possesses excellent knowledge of the U.S. and Canadian markets which makes it the ideal partner for EHG to successfully position its products on the North American market.

German engineering – European design

Furthermore, the resulting entity Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc. provides a perfect starting point from which to introduce Erwin Hymer Group’s additional brands into the U.S. market. HymerCar, Hymer’s Class B model has already been introduced to the public and dealers at various trade shows in the U.S. and was able to impress with its well thought through special concept when compared with American models as well as with its high-quality European design. HymerCar is now produced at Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.’s Kitchener production facility. Its market launch is scheduled to take place in early summer 2016.

“The strategic acquisition of Roadtrek allows Erwin Hymer Group to enter the world’s largest RV market – the U.S. and Canada – as the first European manufacturer of motorhomes and caravans,” says Martin Brandt, Chairman of the Board of Erwin Hymer Group AG & Co. KG. “With the acquisition of Roadtrek, we pursue our sustainable international strategy of growth. It is our goal to further extend our leading position in Europe and to become a global supplier of high-quality motorhomes and caravans. This acquisition is characterised by a spirit of partnership. We happily welcome Roadtrek’s employees to Erwin Hymer Group,” Brandt continues.

“We are all very much looking forward to our future plans,” says Jim Hammill, President and CEO of Roadtrek Motorhomes, Inc. “Becoming part of Erwin Hymer Group allows us to better utilize strategic chances and to generate demonstrable value for our customers and employees, both in the short and the long term.”