ONE of Jayco's major dealerships is having a name-change as it heads
into the next chapter of its long and successful history.
Founded in 1978, the award-winning family-owned Australian Caravan Co at
Edwardstown in South Australia will fall under
the control of the family's next
generation and become known
as Jayco Adelaide.
"There are exciting times ahead," dealer principal Matthew Slee told
Caravanning News.
"We are a proud South Australian family company with further growth
strategies planned," he said.
Mr Slee attributed his company's success to the growing desire by Australians
to see more of the country, leading to an estimated $20 billion
expenditure by caravanners and travellers each year.
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Mr Slee
with Michelle and Leanne |
This had helped Australian Caravan Co enjoy a rising tide of prosperity,
now employing 41 people and delivering around 700 new and used RVs a year.
Mr Slee's wife Michelle is account manager while sister Leanne Dercho is
general manager.
They are daughters of company founders Wayne and Kaye Rohde, who retired
from day to day activities in the mid-2000s.
The Rohde family bought the then small Australian Caravan Co in 1985 when
it was aligned to another caravan manufacturer.
But the real catalyst for the company's success came in 1990 when Wayne
and Kaye met Jayco owner Gerry Ryan, leading to the start of a strong
business relationship with their business being appointed the sole SA
distributor for Jayco.
The new alignment with Jayco provided the spark for the rapid growth.
The business moved to its current site at 820 South Road, Edwardstown, in
2001, and it proved an ideal home for its huge range of Jayco campers,
pop-tops, caravans and motorhomes.
The company also relocated and expanded its service department to a larger
site at 108 Daws Road, Melrose Park, in January 2011.
At the same time, it significantly developed its retail accessories focus
and built a large showroom under the RV Parts & Accessories brand at
Melrose Park.
