Camping Trade World

We get an update on the current state of health of the camping and caravanning industry in Australia in our chat with Stuart Lamont, CEO of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia. The country has faced its own unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its industry is in a very healthy state, with a bright future forecast as it looks to continue to modernise and communicate more effectively with end consumers.

If you're interested in doing business with Australia, or you simply want to hear some interesting methods and programmes that a strong industry association is using, then you will enjoy this one.

Don't forget to head online to www.campingtradeworld.com for all the latest global industry news.

Music by Mark Guest

In this episode of the CTW podcast, we speak with Benjamin Baur, the CEO of caravan, motorhome, and RV door manufacturing expert Konrad Baur. Ben has overseen the company grow from a start-up in 2007 to become a leading supplier in the industry with prestigious big-name clients.

Ben talks to us about the challenges he and the company have faced and overcome over the last decade, but more importantly, about how those experiences shaped the thought processes of the company and helped set it up for success in the future.

With lessons coming from everything including supply chain management, exponential growth in demand, and even a Quentin Tarantino movie, Ben has some very interesting takeaways that can help us all, in his own words, to “never waste a crisis”.

Music by Mark Guest

The environment is perhaps the single biggest issue facing modern business today – and nowhere is that more poignant than in camping and caravanning. The industry relies on the safeguarding and protection of the environment – nature is where people enjoy camping – but what can we do? Well, sometimes small changes are the ones that can add up to make a big difference.

In this episode of the pod we speak to John Morley, managing director of UK motorhome rental company Spaceships UK. He was so impressed with one particular sustainable product recently launched into the industry that he decided to become the official distributor for it in his country. Among a range of other topics, John explains why Solbio toilet fluid could be one of those small changes that all campers could make to ensure their hobby is kinder to the environment. 

Music by Mark Guest

The Camping Trade World podcast is back and in this episode we speak to Stuart Kidman, veteran of the camping industry of some 12 years and marketing manager of UK campervan converter Camper King. Stuart gives us some interesting insights into what it is like to be a campervan converter during these times of unprecedented demand and supply issues.

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to never miss an episode!

Music by Mark Guest

First Camp is the largest camping chain in Scandinavia with 46 campsites in its native Sweden and neighbouring Denmark – and more being added all the time. This fast-growing business is headed up by Johan Söör, who took the time out to speak to us about the strategy of First Camp, the global trends for campsites around the world and the future of the industry. The company has big plans for 2021 and beyond...

Music by Mark Guest

We were joined on the pod by Ross Edwards, managing director of luxury UK motorhome dealer Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld. He talked us through what it's like to be a dealer in a pandemic, how they have managed one of their best starts to a year ever despite not being allowed to open to the public, and the evolving demographic of camping and how we retain those newcomers to the hobby. It's essential listening for anyone in the caravan, motorhome or leisure vehicle industry.

Music by Mark Guest.

What is it like to be an exhibition organiser during a pandemic? How do you host a global industry event when people can't physically be together? And what is the future of shows? To find out the answers to these questions and more we spoke to Alexander Ege, department director for one of the world's biggest consumer holiday and caravanning exhibitions: CMT.

Music: Mark Guest

We speak to Adam Weisner, the chief commercial officer of SuperSprings International, one of the leading suspension providers to the RV and leisure vehicle industry. Covering the advantages of being an 'outsider' to the industry, how you market non-sexy products in an appealing way and progressive business philosophy, Adam gives us a real insight into the RV industry and its future. 

Music by Mark Guest

"In our industry there will be an opportunity in the not too distant future for people to go away. And some of these people will have pent up desire to go away to Greece and Spain and more exotic places. From that point of view, we’ve got to capture them now – it’s our responsibility as an industry to make sure people enjoy  camping."

We speak to Daniel Walton, the founder and CEO of UK tent, awning and outdoors brand OLPRO on how he went from climbing in the Peak District to a lifetime career in the outdoors industry. He also explains how his company navigated the COVID-19 crisis, its environmental plans on the eve of its 10th anniversary and the responsibility the industry has to help capture new customers.

Music: Mark Guest