Camping World Partners with Alpin Haus To Create RV Supercenter

BOWLING GREEN, Ky., June 16 -- National retailer Camping World is launching the first phase of an aggressive expansion plan that will align the company with several prominent recreation vehicle dealerships over the next two years.

As part of the Gold Medal Dealer Program, Camping World will partner with recreational vehicle and boating dealership Alpin Haus in Amsterdam, NY, creating an all-inclusive, one-stop outlet for RV sales and service. The grand opening is slated for June 26-29.

Camping World, established in 1966 and based in Bowling Green, is the nation's largest retailer of RV supplies and accessories. Alpin Haus, family owned since 1964, is the northeast's largest RV dealership.

The partnership represents the first in a series of strategic alliances for Camping World, implemented when retail specialist Mark Gilman was named President in May, 2002. Gilman formerly worked for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., McDonald's Corp, and most recently with Blockbuster, Inc.

"Camping World is heading into a new era and the alliance with Alpin Haus represents an important step in our progress," Gilman said.

He added, "The Gold Medal Dealer Program is a win-win situation for everybody. Dealerships benefit from increased traffic flow generated by Camping World while Camping World benefits through added exposure and additional points of distribution for our products and services."

In addition to Alpin Haus, Camping World is committed to alliances with Holiday RV in Spartanburg, S.C., Tom Stinnett RV in Clarksville, Ind., and Hart City RV Supercenter Inc. in Elkhart, Ind., the RV industry's manufacturing hub.

The Alpin Haus project includes a new 67,000 square-foot facility dedicated to the company's RV operations, offering new vehicle sales, RV rentals and 24 service bays. Camping World will occupy 15,000 square feet in the center of the store to showcase its select line of RV accessories and supplies.

Long-term plans for Amsterdam include incorporating a convenience store and restaurant into the acreage, creating a "destination-style" development, according to Gilman.

"Everything will be under one roof," said Alpin Haus co-owner and General Manager Andy Heck, noting the project would create 65-80 new jobs for the area. "It will be a great benefit to our customers, giving them access to a full range of products, amenities and services."

In addition to Camping World's retail store operations, the company's product line is sold annually in mail-order catalogs and is available for online purchase at campingworld.com. Camping World's 31 retail locations, which stock over 8,000 RV and outdoor specialty products, also feature a complete line of complementary services targeted at the RV lifestyle.