FreedomRoads, Nation's Largest RV Retailer, Acquires Camping Time RV
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--Oct. 2, 20055, 2005--Chicago based, FreedomRoads, LLC., the nation's largest RV retailer with revenues approaching $1.5 billion, today announced that it has acquired Camping Time RV, Georgia's most successful RV dealership with three retail outlets. Camping Time was awarded the industry's coveted Quality Dealer of The Year Award for 2004.FreedomRoads Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marcus Lemonis commented, "This is such a good fit for us. We already have a very strong management team in the region, and Martin Zonnenberg's organization brings us even more power with their depth of management and culture of peak performance. Without a doubt Camping Time RV is an elite dealership. Together we're going to be the dominant force in this state and the entire region which at this point produces revenues for us in excess of $225 million. There is significant room to build on that."
Zonnenberg suggested that, "We are so well aligned in our philosophies about how to manage, motivate our associates and take care of customers that this is a hand-in-glove arrangement. Over the last couple of years we've watched FreedomRoads methodically build their business and we've been so impressed. Now we're a team, and a formidable one at that."
The acquisition of Camping Time RV will usher in a new regional management structure which will consist of Shipp's RV, Holiday Kamper and Camping Time RV. Lead by Zonnenberg as the new Atlantic Coast President, he will be supported by Camping Time's Mark Derrick who will become President of Camping Time and Atlantic Coast Regional Vice President. Derrick commented that, "The alignment of these companies and the strength of our management team truly makes our group the consumer's choice within the four state area." Derrick will work along side Josh Erickson who will lead Holiday Kamper as President and share Vice President responsibilities with Derrick in the Atlantic Coast Region.
Commenting on growth plans for the Atlantic Coast Lemonis said that, "Camping Time RV is key to our growth plans in our Atlantic Coast Region where we intend to increase our market penetration by 15-20 percent and operate in an additional four to five markets within this territory in the next 18-24 months through acquisition or building new." These markets will be Charleston SC, Macon and Savanna GA, Nashville and Knoxville, TN as well as the Raleigh Durham, NC market. "We will do this with a well structured management team, top product line up and expanded market presence which will increase that number," he continued.
About FreedomRoads
FreedomRoads is a dynamic national network of well-established local and regional RV dealerships that have united to benefit customers, employees, suppliers and the RV industry. FreedomRoads operates as a multi-store retail chain engaged in the retail sale, finance and service of recreational vehicles.
FreedomRoads is America's largest RV retailer. It currently employs over 2,000 associates and owns and operates 57 locations in 21 states including; Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington.
FreedomRoads stocks over $300 million of new and used recreational vehicle inventory and retails over 36,000 units annually. For additional information, please visit http://www.FreedomRoads.com, where more than 9,000 recreational vehicles are available for sale.