Editor’s note

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAntonio MazzucchelliMob. +39 3355338977Skype: antoniomazzucchelliE-mail: direttore@aboutcamp.eu

STAFFEnza Pirrera - Luciano CorsiniMaurizio Fontana - Vincenzo FrancofonteMauro Nogarin - Gabriel Lopez Jörg Nullmeyer - Silvia Sacchi

Aboutcamp NetworkVia Benvenuto Cellini 1620129 Milano - ItaliaTel. and Fax: +39 0258437051E-mail: info@aboutcamp.euInternet: www.aboutcampbtob.eu

Aboutcamp is a magazine registered withthe Milan Court on 7 Oct. 2009 at No. 427

aboutcamp BtoB

The new Ford Transit: ROAD TEST

ISSUE 6 April 2014

W elcome to the new issue ofAboutcamp BtoB. I would liketo thank all the professionals

who have contributed and to highlight theusefulness of a technical magazine for oursector and the quality of its contents! Inthis 6th issue we have devoted considera-ble attention to the topic of chassis cab,with a test on-the-road of the new FordTransit and an interview to the productmanager to understand what makes theTransit so interesting for motorhome manu-facturers. We decided to address this issueto the chassis cab, presenting a completeoverview of the commercial vehicles used inthe RV sector and offering a preview of thenew Iveco Daily. I would like to let youknow that Aboutcamp BtoB is shipped allover the world to the RV industry (technicaldirector, designers, purchasing managers,product managers). If you wish to receiveyour personal copy of the magazine, pleasewrite us at: info@aboutcamp.eu

Antonio Mazzucchelli

First sight: new Iveco Dailypage 5

With effect from 1 January 2014, GiovanniMarcon has been appointed to the Board ofDirectors of Bürstner GmbH. He is replacing formersales director Klaus-Peter Bolz, who after nearly 20years is stepping down from the helm of the com-pany at his own wish to devote more attention topersonal interests. Mr Bolz will continue to advisethe company as an internal consultant.More news on “faces and careers” on page 6

InterviewSven Ludwig, product marketing ofcommercial vehicles at Fordpage 4

Giovanni Marcon is the newBürtsner Managing Director

2

Focus on NEW FORD TRANSIT

W ith the "big" Transit, Ford completes the renewal of itscommercial vehicle range. Since the Transit Custom suc-cessfully runs in the one-ton payload class for about a

year, the Transit fills in the category up to two tons of payload. A firstlook confirms: the new Transit looks American. With the large radia-tor grille and the steep engine hood it occurs brawny, reminiscent ofamerican pick-up trucks and vans. This is not surprising, after all, theTransit is designed as a "world car" and should be offered to all glo-bal markets under the "One Ford" strategy. In the U.S., the newmember fo the Ford family will replace the successful Economy series.

Huge variety from the startAs always, the Transit comes with a huge range of variants. Two roofheights excluding high roofs, three wheelbases and five lengths,including the pure chassis there will be available, including for thefirst time a version with an extra long wheelbase and extended chas-sis for bodies of five meters in length. The Ford Transit is available infour models: The spacious, capable van. The roomy, comfortablewagon. The rugged and versatile chassis cab and the cutaway withconvenient direct cab-to-body access. From hauling cargo to tran-sporting passengers, the Ford Transit does it all. In the lower weightclasses the Transit passes with front-wheel drive, the larger versionsare rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive versions will be also availa-ble.

First impressionsIn addition to the basic version will be the better equipped Trend.Both versions have reached passenger car level in the cockpit, thougha lot of hard plastic characterize the massive dashboard and the doorpanels. Even before the first test drive one thing is clear: the crampedconditions in the cab of the transit are a thing of the past. Accordingto the motto "Here and there a few more inches" the windshield issignificantly larger, the headroom has been improved by the slightlybulkier cab. The sitting position at the wheel is excellent. In theseventh generation the Transit provides enough space on the well-shaped seats. The time of torment for tall drivers is over. In additionto the more airy interior width and the greater headroom the newsteering wheel can be adjusted in height and depth. The cabin is verypractical equipped. Although the instrument panel and the controlsappear bulky but in a modern design. Commendable are the practi-cal storage space, cup holders, bottle compartments and the roofconsole with several compartments which extends over the entire

Words Jörg Nullmeyer / Claus-Detlev BuesPictures Jörg Nullmeyer / Trigano /Ford

Yes, he can!

3

Open picture and above: the newFord Transit with dual rear wheel,assembled in Kansas City, Missouri.

Below, starting from the right: thenew Ford Transit we tested on theroad in Spain (EL Prat de Llobregat).In the middle the single rear wheelversion. Here at the left: the cabin isreinforced with boron steel for moresafety.

In the next page: the first motorhomeon the new Ford – a ChaussonWelcome 718 from Trigano Group,France, in the cabin: many functionscan be controlled without taking yourhands off the wheel.

width of the vehicle. A good idea is storage space under the frontpassenger seat which offers a lot of space even for additional batte-ries.

Positive driving impressionsThe engine range of the new transit remains largely unchanged. The2.2-liter diesel, made in cooperation with PSA, is available in threepower levels with 74 kW/100 hp, 92 kW/125 hp and 114 kW/155hp. Ford plans its own engines, which will meet the Euro 6 standard. The offer has been extended to the frugal Econetic versions. By pres-sing a button, the standard consumption can be lowered to 6.4 litersper 100 kilometers (15.6 km/l or 36.6 miles/gallon). The developersat Ford reached their goal and reduced the operational costs signifi-cantly. But with shorter maintenance and longer service intervals(two years or 50,000 km) and the tco (total cost of ownership) is alsoreduced drastically. Aboutcamp BtoB did several test drives with thetwo biggest engine versions. With 350 and 385 Newton meters oftorque they performed their task solid and tidy. Striking was the unsi-ghtly turbo lag in the lower rpm-range of the 155 hp engine.However, this was a near-series prototype. According to Ford, thegeometry of the turbocharger is to be adapted to the series start withmore precision. The new Transit also scores in the technical details.High-strength boron steel in the beams of the cabin provides moresafety and greater torsional stiffness. Driver assistance systems offerextra safety and a significantly higher travel comfort.

In summary, one must say that the new Ford Transit has what it takesto contender. More space, more safety, significantly higher comfortand the many variants in the drive and chassis speak for themselves.A successful design and low operating costs make the Transit formobile home owners and therefore for the motorhome industry.

4

Focus on NEW FORD TRANSIT

What are the key features and improve-ments on the new Transit?The new Ford Transit has over 350 possiblecombinations and the cargo space could beincreased up to ten percent. The standard,new ESP offers convenient features such as thenewly added curve control. At excessive speedin turns, the engine power is reduced andundersteer decreased by selective braking. Thenew adaptive cruise control with ForwardCollision Warning keeps the desired rangeeven when the vehicle ahead slows down. Ifthe system calculates that the situation couldlead to a collision, the driver is alerted bothaudibly and visually. Simultaneously, the brakesystem pressure is increased in order to shortenthe response time.

What makes the Transit interesting formotorhome manufacturers?The new transit benefits from an improvedspace in the driver and passenger area inclu-ding more headroom. The approximately tencentimeters larger windshield allows bettervisibility. Comfort, a large variety of equipmentand the new interior design convey a car-likefeeling. A significantly lower noise level and animproved seating comfort are further advanta-ges of the vehicle. Innovations from the pas-senger car sector such as lane assist with driver

alert system or the connectivity system FordSync can be ordered optionally. Especially theemergency assistant is interesting for the cam-per abroad or in remote areas. In case of anemergency the system sends a message to thenext emergency call center in the national lan-guage, including the exact GPS position. Withcamper package we are also geared towardsthe specific needs of the motorhome manufac-turer. This includes the interface electrics, thetap for the fuel heating and a side exitingexhaust system. Due to the diversity and thedrive fuel-efficient engines with high torque,we offer a solution for every building purpose.

What special chassis variants there will befor the RV industry? Is a collaborationwith other producers like AL-KO planned?In addition to self-supporting chassis with rear-and all-wheel drive, a low-frame chassis withfront-wheel drive from 3.5 to 4.1 tons maxi-mum permissible weight is available. We alsooffer van with front-wheel drive and high roofto an interior height of 2.10 meters (6.9 ft).Also planned is a cowl and a L5-variant withextra-long wheelbase and frame extensionwith a length of about 7.5 meters (24.6 ft).Currently, no cooperation with other manufac-turers is planned, but we are always open forrequests.

Engines using alternative energy sourcesare an ongoing issue. In addition to thehybrid drive, the use of LPG / CNG canreduce the environmental impact. Whatactivities exist on this topic in your compa-ny?Of course we also deal with this topic andwatch the market very carefully. However, thestrategic considerations in our group are notyet completed. But in the commercial and thecaravaning sector most of our customersdemand diesel engines. For this reason we putgreat importance to a very low fuel consum-ption and CO2 emissions which significantlyreduces the operating costs. The Econeticmodel with a medium wheelbase has the class-leading combined fuel consumption of 6.4liters per hundred kilometers (15.6 km/litre or36.6 miles/gallon) at 169 grams of CO2 perkilometer.

Interview: Sven Ludwig

Words and pictures Jörg Nullmeyer

Sven Ludwig is responsible for product marketing of commercial vehicles. Therefore heis an important partner for the european rv manufacturers. With the new Transit, Fordwants to reconquer important market shares in the motorhome industry. On the edge ofthe product launch, Aboutcamp BtoB had an exclusive interview with Sven Ludwig

News MARKET & PRODUCTS

5

The new ProstorE-bike Lift

T he PROSTOR E-bike lift finally gives a solution to tran-sport the E-bikes in a convenient way. The platform of

the E-Bike Lift can be lowered to the ground so there is noneed to raise the bikes yourself.The E-bike lift operates with an integrated 12V motor withoverride for emergency operation. The maximum load is 60kg which corresponds with 2 E-bikes or 4 normal bikes.This patented E-bike Lift is available as from 2nd Quarter of2014. The E-Bike Lift is completely manufactured inBelgium. More info on www.prostor.be

New Daily 2014: the third generation

A totally redesigned vehicle that sati-sfies all the needs of light commercial

vehicle transport: from a robust chassiscab to a more spacious van with improvedmanoeuvrability.The third generation of the Iveco Daily,which will soon make its arrival in marketsacross Europe, will be presented in June2014. This entirely new vehicle is the resultof the perfect blend between traditionand innovation. The vehicle is manufactu-red at plants in Suzzara, Italy andValladolid, Spain, two facilities whereIveco has recently made significant inve-stments in upgrading its production linetechnology. The new Daily still retains itsclassic ladder frame chassis structure,which ensures strength, flexibility, andlong-term durability, as well as greaterease of configuration for chassis cabmodels, but there are also numerous newfeatures that the Daily 2014 offers Ivecocustomers. The company’s planningefforts concentrated on both versions,chassis cab and van. On the van in particu-lar, performance from every aspect interms of handling and carrying capacityhas been improved, thanks to optimised

load volumes, and ease of use with a moreaccessible cargo bed. The van’s capacityhas been improved through the reasses-sment of the relationship between wheel-base, overall length, and the length of thecargo bed. This gives way to the new 18and 20 m3 models (best in class for volu-me) and the 11 m3 model (best in class forcargo efficiency - an index that measuresthe relationship between the length of theloading compartment with the totallength of the vehicle). Thanks to the newdesign, with elongated wheelbases and ashortened rear overhang, the new Dailyguarantees excellent driveability withoutcompromising its well-known agility intight spaces. All models up to 3.5 tonnesare equipped with new front suspensions,which afford excellent control of the vehi-cle and allow for an improvement in com-fort and for the maximum possible loadcapacity. A new rear suspension layout hasbeen designed for single wheel drivemodels that decreases the height of theloading platform by an estimated 55 milli-metres, thereby simplifying loading andunloading operations. The third genera-tion of the Daily is strongly oriented

towards businesses, delivering more thana 5% fuel consumption saving comparedwith the previous model. This is combinedwith a significant improvement in TotalCost of Ownership for the vehicle, toge-ther with best in class performance and awide choice of engines, transmissions andaxle ratios.The on-board experience has also beengreatly improved with a cabin that offersnew levels of comfort and noise insula-tion, guaranteeing the same driving posi-tion and feel that is typical of a high-per-forming automobile. Interior ergonomics(at the top of the range in their category)accompany greater soundproofing, amore efficient air conditioning system andexcellent driver comfort for all load condi-tions. Strong by nature, versatile, and easyto drive, and also attractive thanks to itsfresh and modern styling, the new Daily isthe most concrete illustration of the conti-nuous improvement of a product that hasbeen a key player in the history of lightcommercial vehicle transport for morethan 35 years. The new Daily will be avai-lable through Iveco dealerships acrossEurope starting in June.

6

News MARKET & PRODUCTS

T his new fridge is a valuable and unique addition tothe latest successfully introduced N3000 series.

Remarkable is the contradictory fact of size and volume.The fridge is only 418mm wide compared to the standard525mm, but the volume is still big with over 140 L and a15L freezer (which means space for at least 2 pizzas). Theheight is increased to 1500 mm to perfectly fit the stan-dard height of the majority of the RV’s, regardless of awheel arch. It shows just how strong the developmentskills and knowledge are at Thetford. Not only is the sizeremarkable. The drawer is a great concept for a caravanor camper to easily store and take out bottles. There isspace for 6 x 2L bottles or a combination of bottles andother food thanks to the bottle retainer, which also pre-vents your bottles from moving around. There is a designwith an external (N3141) and internal drawer (N3142).We also offer a choice between blue or white bins. It will always fit the design and requirements of the

vehicle. The LED version is now also available in the user friendly automatic power source selection, the E+. The battery pack of theN3000 series is compatible to this new E+ fridge.

T he Hobby Group with headquarters in Schleswig-Holstein which incorporatesboth leading manufacturers of caravans and motorhomes – Hobby-

Wohnwagenwerk Ing. Harald Striewski GmbH in Fockbek and Fendt-Caravan GmbHin Mertingen (Bavaria) – has strategically expanded with the establishment of the com-pany Formlight GmbH in Warburg (North Rhine-Westphalia). Formlight GmbH specia-lises in the manufacture of wrapped profiles and furniture parts as well as parts forinterior construction and manufactures important components needed by Hobby andFendt for the manufacture of caravans and motorhomes. The company was establi-shed with the takeover of the manufacturing facilities and employees of the insolventFormatec GmbH. The formation of this new company is a further element in the stra-tegic orientation of the Hobby Group and increases constructive and manufacturingindependence in caravan and motorhome production. The managing director ofFormlight GmbH is Michael Striewski (53) who is employed as qualified engineer atEurope’s leading caravan manufacturer, Hobby-Wohnwagenwerk. Michael Striewskiassumes the position of the Formlight managing director in addition to his position asmanagement assistant at Hobby.

Thetford introduces a new fridge N3140

Faces and careers

Caravan SalonDüsseldorfStefan KoschkeNew Project Directorfollows HelmutWinkler

Knaus TabbertWerner VaterlNew technical director

Knaus TabbertGerd Adamietzki New sales director

BürstnerGiovanni MarconBoard of Directorsfollows Klaus-PeterBolz

AssociazioneProduttori CamperJan De HaasNew Presidentfollows Paolo Bicci

HobbyManfred TaedckeNew Senior VicePresident of Sales andMarketing follows Holger Schulz

Strategic expansion of Hobby Group

Michael Striewski

7

T ruma, the leading European RV component supplier and recipient ofthe award “Top 100” most innovative medium-sized companies in

Germany, has entered the North American market and now offers “morecomfort on the move.”“With our office and warehouse in Elkhart, we are right in the heart ofAmerican RV business and close to important OEM customers”, saysGerhard “Gary” Hundsberger, President of Truma Corp. “The company wasfounded in 1949 and named after U.S. President Harry S. Truman. Throughthe Marshall Plan for economic recovery following the end of World War II,President Truman made it possible for Germany to become industrialized.That’s why in Truman’s honor, the company founder Philipp Kreis called hisbusiness Truma,” explains Hundsberger. Kreis developed the first certified RVheater for Europe in 1961, paving the way for Truma’s success story. Today,the family-owned company offers a wide range of products for heating, airconditioning, water systems, propane and power supply as well as maneu-

vering systemsfor travel trailers.Truma opened anoffice in Elkhart,Indiana:Truma Corp: 825East Jackson Blvd- Elkhart, IN46516 - 1 (855)55-TRUMA -i n f o @ t r u m a -corp.com -www.truma.com

Europe RV marketin 2013

T he European leisure vehicle market suffered a5.5 percent sales loss in 2013 relative to the

prior year, with 138,390 new vehicles sold. Only theNorwegian, German and UK markets were able tomaintain the sales levels of 2012. The unfavorablemarket conditions in many European countriesposed a major challenge for the European leisurevehicle industry as a whole in 2013. Initial ECF figu-res show that both motor caravan and caravan salesare increasingly suffering the adverse effects ofEurope’s weak economy. In Europe as a whole, newmotor caravan sales were down 3.1 percent in 2013,to a total of 71,016 units sold; caravan sales slipped7.9 percent relative to the prior year, to 67,374units. Sales results were positive solely in Norway,Germany and the UK, where sales figures from 2012were matched in 2013. In 2013, Germany continuedto be the European market leader for new leisurevehicle sales. With 41,474 new caravans and motorcaravans sold last year, Germany was once againahead of the UK and France, where sales amountedto 28,540 and 23,712 units respectively. “We alrea-dy expressed concerns in early 2013 about theincreasingly problematic market conditions and pro-jected that the few markets where sales were relati-vely strong would not be able to compensate for thesevere sales declines in European nations whose eco-nomies are in crisis. The German market had a stabi-lizing effect in this regard,” noted Hans‐KarlSternberg, General Secretary of the EuropeanCaravan Federation (ECF).

USA RV marketin 2013

R V wholesale shipments finished 2013 on afour-year high note with a total of 321,127

units shipped, a gain of 12.4% over the 2012 year-end total of 285,749 units, according to RVIA’sDecember survey of RV manufacturers.This was nearly twice the annual total of 2009(165,700 units) and marked the fourth consecutiveannual increase since the end of the last recessionfor the RV industry.Towable units ended the year at 282,795 units, a9.8% increase over the 257,551 units shipped in2012. Motorhomes surged to a 35.9% gain in2013, registering 38,332 units against the 28,198units the previous year.The 321,127 unit total also bettered the year-endprojection of 316,300 units provided by Dr. RichardCurtin in the Winter 2013 issue of RV Roadsigns,RVIA’s quarterly forecasting newsletter.“The strong growth seen in the RV market in 2013is due to a combination of the clear-cut affinity con-sumers have for RV travel and ownership coupledwith strengthening economic conditions that haveseen rising home and stock values, the improvedavailability of credit, and continued gains in job andincomes combine to boost consumer confidence,”said RVIA President Richard Coon.

Truma opened an officein Elkhart

F ilippi Legnami, in partnership with Giorgio Levoni, has just opened thenew facility for panels with melamine finish and enhanced the depar-

tment for digital printing, which today produces 4000m2 a day. An all-Italian technology, the embossing press, together with digital printing, canbe addressed, in addition to the motorhome industry, to the customizationof floors, doors and furniture according to the needs of customers in everymanufacturing business, combining an extreme production flexibility withhighly innovative results – which is a great attraction especially for theworld of design. Finally, FilippiLegnami hasbeen muchinvolved in theproduction ofcomposite ands a n d w i c hpanels and inthe and applica-tion with polyu-rethane gluesof the laminatedirectly ontoa l u m i n u m ,aiming especial-ly the marineindustry.

Filippi Legnami: the new facility

8

Overview

Europe trends Europe trends

I n Europe, Fiat Ducatoundoubtedly accountsfor the lion’s share of

the market, being the mostadopted chassis throughoutthe

cont inen t ,and the only

one used just as easi-ly on vans to 9 meter long maxi motor-homes. Such a leading positionwas acquired thanks to a judi-cious mix of marketing policiescombined with its easy tran-sformation, and the wide-spread availability of versionsfor both chassis (long highchassis, low Camping-CarSpecial or low AL-KO cab chassis)and engines, with much interest shown forthe 148 hp 2.3 Multijet TGV, combininglightweight design and performance, as analternative to the more powerful but heavier3.0 Multijet Power. For vans, the Fiat Ducato facilitates the vehi-cle’s outfitting, given the width of the bodyand linear load floor design, while for pane-led models the widened 1,980 mm rear trackhas by now become widespread everywhere.It is interesting to note that chassis tend tovary depending on the price bracket: long

high chassis for entry level models(with an attic roof and lately evenintegrated “low-cost” models),a low Camping-Car Special formid to upper-middle range vehi-cles, the AL-KO AMC for upperend and premium models, often

with a Heavy chassis and an overallmass of up to 5 tons. The Ducato is

the product of the joint Fiat/PSA project,boasting two brothers that are almost twins,

the Peugeot Boxer and CitroenJumper. They are twins interms of the chassis, layout,design and components,although they differ in engi-

ne mount(with the exception of the 177 hp 3.0Multijet Power/3.0 HDI). Indeed, the lesserunits are entirely different: Fiat uses the130 hp 2.3 Multijet and 148 hp 2.3Multijet TGV from the Fiat Powertrain,whereas Peugeot and Citroen make use oftwo units designed in partnership withFord, both 2.2 liter engines providing 130and 150 hp. In addition, Fiat is the onlymanufacturer offering Comfort-Matic

automatic transmission on the three morepowerful engine options (130, 150 and 180hp): this accessory is increasingly in demand,above all in high-end models.Fiat is now preparing to launch the nextgeneration Ducato: it will feature a limitedrestyling of the interiors, but a highly redesi-gned front end, updated with the insertionof new headlights that include DRL Led hea-dlamps and a new grille, while the cabin willremain substantially unchanged. Lastly,under the hood we’re expected to see thenew Euro6 engines, replacing the currentEuro5+.

Ford Transit: a two-year wait The chassis market is feverish with expecta-tion: it’s time for the official debut of thehighly awaited next generation Ford Transit,unveiled at the Birmingham 2012 Show and

Words Michel Vuillermoz

The Fiat Ducato, which is preparing to introduce a cosmetic upgrade in 2014, is the undisputed leader in chas-sis used for recreational vehicles. Having waited a long time to launch its new version, the Ford Transit is onthe contrary losing ground. The Renault Master, adopted in Italy and Slovenia, has also aroused a great dealof interest. Mercedes and Iveco display modest numbers, but represent the top of their class and are instal-led on the most prestigious models. Last but not least come the premium vehicles which adopt M.A.N., IvecoEurocargo and Mercedes-Benz Atego

CHASSIS CAB

9

intended to pick up the baton from thegeneration born in 2000 and restyled in2006. Entirely redesigned in terms of styleand technical content, the new Transit willre-propose the remarkable versatility thatmade it so successful, offering versions withfront-wheel drive, rear, rear twin and all-wheel drive. A chassis that was a long timecoming, perhaps even too long, and whichwill be assigned the arduous task of earningback the ranking lost in recent years by theprevious generation. The delayed renewal ofthe Transit and consequent loss of commer-cial attractiveness of this chassis ended upleaving room for other competitors, with asort of division between the further growthof the Fiat Ducato, which also increased itsmarket share in the entry-level vehicles seg-ment, and the timid debut of the RenaultMaster, developed alongside the OpelMovano and Nissan NV400, but snubbed,until now, by the large manufacturers.

Renault Master: a faint successEquipped with 125 and 150 hp 2.3 DCI engi-nes, the Master has some interesting featu-res (among which are the availability ofeither front or rear-wheel drive), but has notmet with the success the French manufactu-rer expected. In fact, almost four years afterits launch, the Master has garnered the pre-ference of a limited number of large manu-facturers (Arca, Aiesistem and Rimor in Italy,

Adriain Slovenia, Hobby in

Germany), as well as a discrete number ofsmaller manufacturers of pure campers (LaStrada, Helix Camper, Font Vendome), butremains a marginal presence capable ofoccupying almost solely the long caravanand van segments. For their part, theMercedes-Benz and Iveco chassis have amarginal presence, reserved above all formore prestigious designs, and increasinglyfocused on vehicles with an overall mass of5.0 to 7.5 tons.

Mercedes Sprinter: attractiveto the French and Germans Recently refurbished with new BlueTec Euro6engines, the Sprinter boasts a constant stre-am of admirers, above all in France andGermany, where it is adopted by a variety ofbuilders (including Bavaria, Pilote,LeVoyageur, Rapido, Frankia, Hymer and La

Strada) for integrated vans in the mid-high tohigh-end ranges. Rapido is an exception,having boldly decided to also propose aMercedes chassis on the economical 8Mseries, thus allowing for the purchase of amotorhome on a Sprinter 316 CDI with a163 hp engine from just over 65,000 euros.The other brands appear to have opted forthe twin version (519 CDI) which, with anoverall mass of 5,300 kg and 190 hp V6engine and automatic transmission (therenowned 7G-Tronic with 7 gears + manualgear shifting), is currently one of the bestsolutions available on the market. TheSprinter 519 CDI chassis is thechoice of the high-end rangemanufactured by Pilote,Rapido, LeVoyageur,Hymer and Frankia,

and has found unexpected admirers overse-as, thanks to the giant Winnebago, whichhas made use of this chassis for its integratedVia and View range (long cab and attic roof).The combination of Sprinter mechanics andthe AL-KO AMC cab chassis, bringing toge-ther the benefits of rear-wheel drive and theguaranteed stability of a lower center of gra-vity: a costly solution that is currently used

only by Frankia (on its 6400and 6800 models). TheSprinter is also available ina dual-axis version, also a

lowered AL-KO: with an ove-rall mass of 6 tons, it is cur-

rently adopted exclusively byPilote for their flagship Frankia and RMB ran-ges.

Iveco: the king of the over5 ton cabsThe undisputed king of the premium range isthe Iveco Daily: having almost disappeared inthe 3.5 ton version, proposed solely by Laika(5 models, of which 3 feature an attic roofand 2 are integrated) and Arca (2 attic roo-fed), this chassis owns the lion’s share of the5 ton chassis market, where it effectively hasno competitors or alternatives, and where,thanks to the expert changes by theGerman specialist Meier, itnow equips vehicles up to10.6 meters in length with anoverall mass of up to 7,490 kg,including with a rear auto garage.The new 205 hp 3.0 TwinTurbo inter-cooled engine has been garnering increasedconsensus, the most powerful 4 cylinder inits category, capable of harnessing a driving

torque of 470 Nm, even though the non-absence of an automatic gearbox, a must fortoday’s luxury vehicles, still makes manybuyers lean towards the less powerful 170hp 3.0 in conjunction with Agile automatictransmission. Launched in 1999, and subse-quently restyled in 2006, 2009 and 2011,the current Daily generation will soon bereplaced by the new Daily: an entirely newgeneration, unique and designed to combinethe traditional values of robustness and relia-bility typical of Iveco cabs with new techno-logies and performances, in terms of power,fuel efficiency and travelling comfort.

MAN, Iveco and Mercedesin the Premium rangeMoving up to the next category, premiumvehicles are dominated by the M.A.N. TGLchassis, with its 4 and 5 cylinder enginesproviding up to 280 hp, whereas the Iveco

E u r o c a r g ochassis is slightly less popular. For its part, theMercedes-Benz Atego is an elite chassis, onlyrecently available on the Concorde Liner Plusline, but a historic choice for some Germanmanufacturers, including VarioMobil. Otherhigh-end manufacturers offer the Mercedes-Benz Actros, M.A.N. TGM and T.G.A., andVolvo chassis (Concorde Centurion 1200,Ketterer Continental, STX, Volkner Mobil).

Transporter, Viano, Traficand Vivaro among the smallervehiclesFull-time vehicles are in a world of their own,with essentially three main players: in addi-tion to the timeless Volkswagen Transporter,the heir to the legendary Bulli, the Mercedes-Benz Viano – only recently replaced by the allnew luxurious V Class – has made a bigsweep,whereas its Renault Trafic and Opel Vivarocounterparts are less popular, being the choi-ce of smaller French and German manufac-turers, along with the Italian Helix Camper.

“ 2013 was a very important year forBartolacci Design because once againwe have renewed our commitment to

improvement and offering our customersinnovative and high quality products, wherequality also means assistance and flexibility,”says Andrea Bartolacci, the owner. “Thismeans being able to react immediately toevery kind of problem and accommodate thecustomers’ requests for a great variety oftechnical variations. In addition, we havefocused on rendering our internal manage-ment increasingly attentive to the needs ofthe market. For example, we have improveddelivery times for our ongoing customer rela-tionships. We have invested huge amountsof capital in order to industrialise our pro-ducts and produce them directly within thecompany. In addition, we have abandonedthe trade name Tecnoled by BartolacciDesign, which is superfluous since the com-pany and the Bartolacci Design brand alrea-dy existed. Over the past two years, theTecnoled line has focused on home and pro-fessional lighting systems. To further reinfor-ce our corporate mission – aimed exclusivelyat motorhomes and caravans – we haveabandoned the old brand and retained onlythe name Bartolacci Design as a guarantee ofreliability, quality and professionalism.Manufacturers know that for ten years nowBartolacci Design has set the standard in thissector, offering innovation, design andtechnology”.Bartolacci Design has always paid greatattention to the perfect combination oftechnology and design. Its most distinctiveline – the Plexy line – is designed to bemounted as original equipment and makesavailable a wide range of customizations, notonly regarding the forms but also the mate-rials, and includes mirror, satin finish, opalineand transparent elements. Style, taste,technology and refined production representthe strength of this line of primary andsecondary ceiling lighting chosen by manu-

facturers of motorhomes from all acrossEurope. “Our products are genuinely Made in Italy,”continues Andrea Bartolacci, “with theexception of the LEDs, that is, the JapaneseMicropower of Citizens and the SMD 5630built in China, but their colour temperature iscertified and guaranteed. The rest of the pro-cessing is carried out in Italy with Italian com-ponents. This is a point of pride for us, andwe want to offer manufacturers impeccablequality and a high level of product customi-zation. In our company we have equipmentfor the laser cutting of plexiglass, whichallows us to create any shape and customiza-tion we want, but also to experiment withnew solutions such as, for example, the com-

bination of materials like wood and leather.We currently use 18 different ABS injectionmoulds to manufacture the external parts ofour spotlights. We control all the phases ofproduction and, unlike others, we do nottest the products by sampling – instead, wetest and certify all of our spotlights. For us,responsiveness to the demands of our custo-mers is very important, and we are structu-red in a flexible way, able to respond quicklyto any and all requests of the manufacturersof motorhomes by increasing productionvolumes – without, of course, decreasing thequality of our products. Since we do notleave anything to chance, we have designeda special kind of packaging in eco-friendlycardboard, in which the spotlights are arran-

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Bartolacci design - Via Lisbona , 7/A - 50065 Pontassieve (Firenze)+39 055 8345116 - www.bartolaccidesign.it - info@bartolaccidesign.it

Ten years of innovationBartolacci Design celebrates its tenth year of operation in 2014. The Florentine company, established in 2005,is specialized in the production of LED lighting for recreational vehicles

Words Antonio Mazzucchelli

Andrea Bartolacci, CEO

ged in an orderly manner and in a shockpro-of position.” Among the best-selling products ofBartolacci Design is the “Replace” line, con-sisting of modules designed to replace tradi-tional light bulbs (halogen, incandescent,neon lights) with modern LED technology:the markets have rewarded this innovationand allowed Bartolacci Design to achieveexcellent results in just a few years, also inthe aftermarket. The “Spotlight with arm”line consists of spotlights with bodies atta-ched to a flexible arm (FLEX), or to a rigidarticulated arm (NDA), which are recommen-ded when the orientation of the light sourceis essential to improving the comfort of boththe living environment and the sleeping area.The “External spotlights” and “Recessedspotlights” lines use current LED technologyand conform to the standards used now foryears in recreational vehicles. The “Linearlamps” line was primarily designed forunder-cabinet lighting. There are varioustypes and they differ in the type of lightgenerated: diffused or semi-diffused, inwarm, cool or neutral white.“Today Bartolacci Design Lighting Systemsare mounted on the vehicles of the leadingmanufacturers of recreational vehicles inEurope,” says Andrea Bartolacci. “Ourgrowth has been gradual, constant, and isthe result of a serious and passionate com-mitment, entirely focused on service andquality. “In the world of LEDs, we make a dif-ference” is the slogan of our company, tounderline the attention we pay to the searchfor ever more advanced technologies andadvanced quality control systems. We haveextensive experience in the customization ofproducts and we want to be not just a sup-plier for manufacturers of motor homes, butalso a technical and strategic partner in thedesign of exclusive lighting systems”.

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I have been with Bartolacci Design for one year, but I have substantial experience inthe field of recreational vehicles and have worked for many years in companies ope-rating in this sector. I am responsible for all markets and act as a bridge between the

client and our design office. In fact, we specialize in product customization and we areable to create forms, add logos and design specific products for our OEM clients. This isthe added value that sets us apart from other companies who merely distribute standardproducts “Made in China.” For us, quality is essential. Our electronics are designed andsized for recreational vehicle applications and all of our LEDs are selected in order to have

the same colour temperature and are guaranteed. Customer service is one of our priorities. Service is offered not only to our professio-nal clients, but also to the end user, who for years has known he can contact us by phone to take advantage of an exclusive after salesservice. Besides, we have established an important tradition in the aftermarket, where our Replace line has created a true revolution.Now that most motorhomes mount LED lighting as standard equipment, we are thinking about an upgrade to Replace, with interestingdevelopments that we will reveal in the near future. One of the key factors for success in the field of LED lighting today is the price. Themarket is flooded with low-quality Chinese products offered at very aggressive prices. We have managed to create a very competitiveprice structure while maintaining the quality and design that have been at the root of the success of our company over the past tenyears.

Contacts:Sales Manager: Claudio Paoliniclaudio.paolini@bartolaccidesign.it

In the words of Claudio PaoliniSales Manager, Bartolacci Design

Claudio Paolini, Sales Manager

C BE keeps expanding. The group isoptimizing its workflows and ware-housing logistics and further enhan-

cing its professional service for OEM custo-mers through personalized testing and simu-lation stations. Obtained by adding a storey to the Trentofactory, the new operational area spans1000 sq m (10,750 sq ft). 60% will be usedfor warehousing and the rest as a technicallab for testing and inspecting CBE’s electro-nics products on custom-designed simulationstations. The testing department’s new facili-ties will include a third cutting-edge in-circuittest machine. Also planned are a departmentfor painting and personalizing plastics and apacking area. “Our headquarters-expansion project hadbeen on the agenda for some time,” com-ments CBE CEO Bruno Conci. “In this marketphase, customers have changed tack. Theydo not want their goods stuck in a warehou-se; they order at the last minute; and, natu-rally, they expect superb-quality products. Tooffer an even more comprehensive service,we have decided to install fixed testbedsdedicated to personalizing products to our

customers’ specific requirements. These sta-tions directly simulate installations on recrea-tional vehicles, enabling us not only to testeach product easily but also to respond swif-tly and agilely to any requests for change.The stations are at our customers’ disposalfor as long as it takes to complete their pro-ject”.The new storage facility is designed not onlyto meet legal standards but also to be envi-ronmentally friendly. It extensively uses woodfrom certified forests and highly effectiveinsulating panels. The wood walls are120 mm thick, insulated with ecofriendlyFermacell gypsum fibreboard sheets, and

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CBE Group’s main headquarters is growing. It will gain a new technical laboratory for simulations and testingelectronic components, equipment for the graphical customization of plastics, and an additional capaciousfully equipped warehouse

Via Vienna, 4 - z.i. Spini (settore D) - 38121 Trento - ItalyTel: +39 0461 958381 - Fax: +39 0461 960009

E-mail: cbe@cbe.it - Web: www.cbe.it

Expanding Trento headquarters

Bruno Conci, CEO of CBE

Words Antonio Mazzucchelli

they have an air space and a 100-mm outercovering. The roof, too, has been meticulou-sly insulated. It has double (inner and outer)boarding, air ventilation, and 100 mm ofinsulation. More photovoltaic panels will befitted to the roof, adding 30 kW to the exi-sting 20 kW power-generation capacity, ena-bling CBE to become self-sufficient in energy.The large triple-glazed north-facing windowsin the testing and laboratory area provideexcellent daytime lighting. There is also alarge tank collects rainwater, which will beused to water the lawn.“The new graphical-customization facility is

very important for us, too,” continues BrunoConci. “We shall be able to paint the plasticsand, moreover, offer pad printing – to printwords, logos and all kinds of symbols, evenin colour, on any regular or irregular surface.We shall take plain buttons, frames andmodules and print labels on them ourselves,without having to discard ready preparedplastics just because an icon, a word or someother detail has changed. And we shall beable to customize our products for motorho-me and caravan manufacturers even further,offering switches, controls and sockets withdedicated symbols and graphics”.The new warehouse has a broad access rampfor lorries to unload. All the necessary rawmaterials will be stored in the new 400-sq-marea, which will also have a mezzanine floor.The existing warehouse will hold finishedproducts only – those coming in from affilia-te group companies or external suppliers aswell as those made in the Trento factory. “Actually,” continues Bruno Conci, “we hadalready planned to raise the building in2000. Unfortunately, though, the anti-sei-

smic legislation has become more stringentsince. After the earthquake in EmiliaRomagna, to meet the new standards, wehad to do extra work on the existing ware-house, digging down to reinforce the foun-dations. Now we have a truly earthquake-resistant HQ, but the costs were significantand forced us to delay this project slightly”.

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With a history of more than 38years, CBE is a leading com-

pany in Europe in the sector of elec-trical and electronic systems forrecreational vehicles and boats.Based in Trento, CBE is a designpartner for motorhomes and cara-van manufacturers all over theworld, drawing up personalisedsolutions which involve all aspectsof the on board electrical systems:from control panels to distributionboxes, from battery chargers to tan-kprobes, sockets, switches, up tocomplete wiring of the vehicle.Quality, reliability and safety areconstants in the way CBE -UNI ENISO 9001:2000 certified- operates.

Company Profile

Contacts:Dorian Sosi - Sales Manager Italia - d.sosi@cbe.itPaolo Moiola - Sales Manager Export - p.moiola@cbe.it

1976 - CBE Srl, based in the north of Italy, is established by thecurrent owner and managing director Mr. Bruno Conci. He startshis work in the caravanning industry producing electric systemsand electronic devices with a company employing 4-5 people.1990 - CBE moves to the new premises in Lamar di Gardolo, 83(Trento), bought with a leasing contract and still owned by thecompany. In this period CBE owns 1000 m² for the production lineand offices. 2000 - CBE is UNI EN ISO 9001 certified 2003 - Steady increase in turnover translates into CBE's decisionto buy a land lot of over 4500 m² where the new premises arebuilt (over 2800 m²)2009 - CBE buys out the majority share of LCE, a company specia-lised in the production of wiring harnesses based in Arco di Trento(Italy), less than 40 Km from CBE's main premises. The LCE con-trolled company owns a total area of 900 m².

2011 - CBE starts building a new building for LCE which will becompleted and running by the end of the year with an overall sur-face of 1500 m². CBE improves and extends its production capacity in the wiringindustry starting SCT, a new company based in Tunisia in theSoliman district, near Hammamet.CBE purchases a new Flying Probe machine for electronic circuitstesting which can carry out more precise and rapid tests.2012 - CBE inaugurates the new plant of LCE in Arco (Trentino)dedicated to the manufacture of wiring harnesses and with a totalsurface area of 1,500 m².

Today, CBE holds a share of approximately 30% of the Europeanmarket and supplies more than 20,000 motorhomes per year withits electrical and electronic equipments. More than 85% of its tur-nover derives from exports.

CBE milestones

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Via Groenlandia, 23 - 00040 Pomezia - Roma - ItalyTel: +39.06 91601096 - Fax: +39.06 91601096

E-Mail: info@ctapomezia.it - Web: www.ctapomezia.it

One fastener, three applicationsCTA Srl presents its new accessory which consolidates pay-off performing evolution in motorhomeluggage racks

The third application that CTA offers forthe first time is the ability to use the kit asa motorcycle anchoring system by installa-tion on the floor or wall of a garage.This profile works with special tie-downsthat can be applied directly to the guide,without forcing the camper do this fromthe ends of the profile to add anchor

points between the rings that are already inplace. This advantage ensures the safety ofthe bike also for closing the tie-down tosoften. The same tie-down rings allows forthe passage of cables, elastic springs ornuts needed to adjust the bracket on therail system with sliding adjustable positio-ning, by pressing lightly on it.

Words Mauro Nogarin

For the first application, the fastener is scre-wed into the interior wall with specialscrews included in the kit. Along the cen-tral axis, the TV bracket can be moved ver-tically until finding the desired position forthe end user.

For the second application, the tracks canbe placed as a luggage rack. The modernautomotive design is modern and refinedand adaptable to all the latest RV models.Thanks to the modular structure of the CTAluggage rack, this is extremely versatile andallows for multiple configurations to fit theavailable roof space and needs of campers.This modular configuration represents theevolution of previous models and offersfurther fastening systems.

T he new fastener is the perfect com-bination between design and themultiple applications that can be

made inside an RV. The new fasteners aremade of anodized aluminum, with protecti-ve covers at both ends, guaranteeing greatmechanical resistance due to its internal geo-metry.The fastener can be secured with screws ona central axis from the outside, making it aperfect for aftermarket sales and installationor the manufacturer can secure it on the insi-de of the vehicle, thus making the fastening

screws invisible.The great advantage to manufacturers lies inthat the same fastener can be installed in

three different applications, for TV brackets,luggage racks or as a motorcycle anchoringdevice.

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Company ProfileC TA Srl has 35 years experience in the automotive market, much of which was dedicated to converting vehicles and

manufacturing special order metal structures of various types. Its main customer base is automobile manufacturerswho require design work, out sourcing manufacturing, or post-sales assistance. The vast experience and organizationalcapacity of the company has propelled its rapid growth. The technical design team has conducted many innovative stu-dies to meet the needs of its customers for technological advances.

Contacts:Dario Bellezze - Sales Managerdario@ctapomezia.it

Certification in R14for M1 & N2

CTA & Partners Service

W e updated the last extension in R14 wherewere integrated some structures and furtherfastening systems, allowing us to develop a

project in M1/N2 every 2/3 working days. Providing aexpended range of placement to more than 10.000 com-binations for each structure.

Over 10.000 combinations

F or over 30 years CTA has dedicated itself to designing components for safety belt instal-lation, which adapt to the interiors of some of the world’s best known automobile manu-facturers such as: Iveco, Fiat, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot and Mercedes-Benz. The front

end and anti movement structures developed by the technical offices of CTA provide the maxi-mum level of versatility with over 2,500 different applications and compatibility with the Truma,Combi, Webasto and Alde heating systems. All structures are certified according to the 200541/CE standards and the R14 updates and some in accordance with the N2 adaptations.Thanks to the important know how acquired over 35 years of business, CTA has been able tocreate the perfect technical synergy with all its customers that need to adapt the seat belt ancho-ring technology to their vehicles, achieving four main goals:1) Zero design costs for adaptation.2) Reduced times for development and installation of designs.3) Large selection of seat belt anchoring systems that allows selection of the most appropriatefor the builder’s needs.4) Compact packaging systems which facilitates shipping and storage of product.

Via 1° Maggio 85 - 43056 San Polo di Torrile (Parma) - ItalyTel. +39 0521 819621 - Fax +39 0521 819305

E-mail: info@maller.it

Masterly transformationsMaller Company was founded in 1973 by Erasmo Mallozzi and operates in the field of ennobled plywoodpanels for the recreational vehicle sector and in the field of semi-finished products for the furniture industry

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Arch. Gianmaria Piroli

Words Vincenzo Francofonte

I n 2013, Maller SpA celebrated its 40thanniversary – 40 years of serving therecreational-vehicle sector, supplying

premier Italian poplar panels laminated witha huge range of decorative paper and plasticlaminates. After the founder’s death in 2008,the company was run by external managers;from December 2013, Simona Mallozzi, thefounder’s daughter, took direct control asManaging Director, assisted by GianmariaPiroli as Commercial and Factory Manager.“We add value to simple materials. In ourlocal area and throughout the Po Valley, wetake quality poplar plywood, chipboard, andMDF, and we enhance them with PVC paper,plastic laminates, and decorative paper. Ourend product is very similar to top-qualitywood. This whole procedure is called lamina-ting; we are laminators”. Thus, founderErasmo Mallozzi – once knighted as a cap-tain of industry – clearly pinpointed whatMaller does. The company was set up in1973 specifically to supply the recreational-vehicle industry with laminated panels forinternal surfaces and furniture, working tothe highest standards. Over time, the busi-ness has branched out into semi-finishedproducts for the furniture industry, furni-shing accessories, doors and finishings, whileachieving a significant foothold in the navalsector, reflecting its products’ superior quali-ty and wide spectrum of uses.This excellence is rooted in the considerableexperience and technical expertise that thefirm has invested in its production processes.For Maller operates using one line for lami-nate and two for CPL and HPL (Continuous-/ High-Pressure Laminate) finishing, withcalender machining and wood-grain finishes.(The untreated panel is fed between two

cylindrical rollers that affix the decorativesheets of light finish paper, Alkorcell, andPVC via hot bonding.) Pressure veneering(thermal pressing) is dedicated to makingstrong laminates for tabletops and kitchensurfaces (with decorative paper impregnatedwith melamine resins) and premier real woodveneers sliced into thin sheets. After thecalender process, the panels enter the press(of which Maller has 3), to emerge free ofimpurities and imperfections. The panelmoves on to the line for electronic cutting tosize and squaring to apply the customer’spreferred finishing. The end result is a perfec-tly flat product of uniform thickness withoutany surface defects.The quality of these first-rate finishing

techniques is also ensured through an exclu-sively Italian feature: the choice of raw mate-rials, starting with local poplar sustainablycultivated with FAO approval. Indeed, Italianpoplar is light, flexible and stable, enablingsuperior machining and finishing than forsimilar but lower-performance materialssourced elsewhere (like Meranti, made withAsian timbers). These benefits provide consi-derable versatility, allowing the company toproduce panels to suit any requirements.Allied to its scrupulous selection of rawmaterials and precise workmanship, anotherof Maller’s key strengths is its agility. It canrespond swiftly, supplying a highly tailoredproduct to meet the requirements of RVmanufacturers large and small.

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Contacts:Gianmaria arch. PiroliE-mail. gm.piroli@maller.it

“Logistically speaking, we offer a winningservice”, stresses Factory Manager GianmariaPiroli. “We are extremely flexible in terms ofproduction volumes, enabling us to supportindividual projects within an overarchingpackage. We are heavily used by leadingmanufacturers – like Laika, Adria, Sea Group,PLA, Giottiline, Rimor, and soon Trigano –but we are also well placed to serve smallerproducers, which appear to be growingsignificantly at present. We have an agree-ment with the Lombardy firm CLEAF for theexclusive use of a Design Collection of 22decorative features for making veneer panelsCPL and HPL products, which we presentedat the Düsseldorf fair. Our hot postformedand curved processes complement our spe-cial treatments for tops or scratch-resistantwall coverings, and we make edges with thesame finish for complete continuity betweenthe upright and horizontal surfaces”.The caravan sector provides 75% of thecompany’s turnover (the rest coming fromthe HPL furniture veneer market), with 80%of its European sales achieved in Italy and the

remainder in Germany. Maller is an establi-shed supplier that is maintaining its focus onoverseas markets. Its effective sales networkserves customers wherever they may be – notjust in Italy and Europe but in the States,Canada, Australia and New Zealand, too.These markets are growing vigorously, espe-cially in the USA, which is finally showingsigns of appreciating European technologyand construction standards (as the success ofthe little Fiat 500 demonstrates). And it is notonly about weight, although high fuel pricesare starting to bite there, too. For Italianpoplar adds value not only with its lower spe-cific weight than other non-European mate-rials but also with its greater structuralstrength, enabling high levels of finishing tobe applied to the multilayered media (towhich American manufacturers are turningto replace the local sandwich materials),thanks in part to the advanced production-process technology. Every day, promising new markets are ope-ning up (Maller has an eye on South Africa),where its product quality and decorative

range is increasingly valued. Italian poplar’sversatility, stability and excellent finish in ply-wood and multilayered panels is comple-mented by a wide selection of decorativewoods for the laminating paper, which canbe tailored to customers’ needs. This servicewill be implemented soon using the digitalpress, which the company plans to offer forlarge and small quantities alike.Maller holds ISO 9001 certification for pro-duct quality control and meets FSC (ForestStewardship Council) and PEFC (Programmefor the Endorsement of Forest Certification)standards for managing the Chain ofCustody for forest products.

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Via A.Vivaldi, 40/A - 50041 Calenzano – Firenze – ItalyTel: +39 055 8825239 - Fax: +39 055 8878086

E-mail: info@project-2000.it - Web: www.project-2000.it

Project 2000 lands in AmericaAfter consolidating its leadership in the production of bed lifting systems in Europe, Project 2000 docks in theUnited States thanks to the collaboration with Winnebago Industries, Inc. and the distributor LippertComponents, Inc

Words Antonio Mazzucchelli

Davide Nardini CEO

T he 2014 of Project 2000 is markedby the beginning of two importantcooperations in the United States. It’s

in fact already in place the supply of bed lif-ting system to the manufacturer Winnebago,result of a long activity of promotion andqualification of the product to adapt it to therequirements of the American market, whilethe partnership with Lippert Components,Inc . – main player in the accessories market

in the continent – on all of the Project 2000product range will enable a further expan-sion.“The Winnebago designers were followingus since several time, monitoring our growthon the European market – says DavideNardini, CEO at Project 2000 – They havethen decided to try our systems and werereally impressed with the technological gapexisting between our beds and the other

products available in their local market. Forthis reason, Winnebago has decided to useour beds on several vehicle lines, both asstandard and as an optional. Our presence inthe American market caught the attention ofvarious players and we have involved animportant actor such as Lippert Components,Inc. – a real giant in the production anddistribution of components for OEM, part ofthe Drew Industries group. This expansion inthe USA is a source of pride and satisfactionfor us and is part of a path of growth on theinternational markets started time ago andthat sees us present in Australia, NewZealand, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Canada e

China”. The cooperation with LippertComponents, Inc. entails notonly the distribution of the bestseller among the 12600, but

alsot h ee l e c t ron i csteps and the TV Brackets. Project 2000had already approached the US Marketby participating the TDL project(Tecnoform Design Lab), a prototypewhich had been presented by the Italiancompany Tecnoform and that Airstreamhas then transformed in the innovative andluxurious towable Landyacht. In that occa-sion, Project 2000 developed and manufac-tured an inedited radio-controlled mecha-nism to automatically lift the central bed toeasily access the locker underneath the bed.The caravan was presented at the 2012 edi-tion of the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf andit got awarded in the categories “BestInterior Design” and “Best Practice” in theprestigious competition “Caravaning Design

Award: 2012/2013”.“The new engagement in the huge Americanmarket brought us to open a new produc-tion line specific for this new cooperation –continues Davide Nardini – and we haveextended our production capacity expandingthe facility with a new area where we assem-ble together the bed lift to the bed frame,produced by us under the brand name

Technodesign. In fact,we wanted

to create com-plete and tailored products able to satisfyany construction need”For example we have bed frames with alowered profile, that can be installed on vehi-cles with reduced internal dimensions . Weoffer a great design flexibility to the manu-facturers since we are able to supply framesfor bed with any shape and dimension,

thanks to thealuminum extrusions and to the plastic cor-ners and the variable angle corners”.Our system to vary the height of the beds,the 12600, was presented at the end of2009 and proposes a motorized system, enti-rely installed underneath the bed frame andmanaged by a controller, that rolls four belts,anchored to the walls, around a single shaft.In 2011, the 12600 was made available alsofor those layouts with a central queen’s bed.In 2012 Project 2000 was awarded with theinternational patent of invention and in 2013the Tuscany-based company introduced the12658, a central bed with a freestandingstructure and the ability to vary the height, tolift the front part of the frame and to retractthe back part of the frame to provide a bac-krest. With this bed, Project 2000 was awar-ded with the “Salone del Camper Award2013”, in the section l “Accessories andComponents”.

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Contacts:Davide Nardini - General Manager - info@project-2000.itLorenzo Manni - Technical Sales Manager - commerciale@project-2000.it

Project 2000 will exhibit at the “All In Caravaning 2014”

T his year Project 2000 will participate at the Chinese fair “All InCaravaning” 2014, which shall be held from June 27th to June29th in Beijing. It is widely considered the most important sector

fair in China, with a presence for last year of approximately 100 exhibitorsand a participation of approximately 20.000 visitors. The importance thatthe fair is gathering is witnessed by the joint organization by MesseDüsseldorf GmbH – organizer of the Caravan Salon – and the patronageof the most important sector associations worldwide (RVIA - USA, CRVA -Australia, CIVD - Germania).We are ready to face new challenges – says Lorenzo Manni, Sales Managerat Project 2000 – In China, the government is encouraging the touringholidays as a tool to allow the citizens to get to know better their owncountry. There are important projects for the creation of infrastructures

and what today is a market with a potential of a few hundredsof registrations may reach, in a couple of years or less, a numberof registrations such as to make it a first band market. We wantto be part of this growth by proposing our bed lifting systems,our electronic steps and our TV Brackets. These are mature pro-ducts, resulting from many years of development and we aresure that may represent valid solutions for the Chinese designers.Today our bed lifting systems are suitable to any application,from the maxi motorhome to the minivan.At the fair we will showcase our products with major technolo-gical content with the intent to create a sales and distributionchannel able to represent us properly. We are sure that even anew, evolving market such as the Chinese one will appreciate thequality of our systems.