Attached files
file | filename |
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8-K - FORM 8-K - THOR INDUSTRIES INC | l40730e8vk.htm |
EX-10.1 - EX-10.1 - THOR INDUSTRIES INC | l40730exv10w1.htm |
EX-10.2 - EX-10.2 - THOR INDUSTRIES INC | l40730exv10w2.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
419 WEST PIKE STREET P.O. BOX 629 JACKSON CENTER, OHIO 45334-0629
PHONE 937-596-6849 FAX 937-596-6539
PHONE 937-596-6849 FAX 937-596-6539
N E W S R E L E A S E
Date: September 17, 2010 |
||
Contact:
Peter B. Orthwein, Ronald J. Fenech, or Richard E. Riegel III |
THOR INDUSTRIES ACQUIRES HEARTLAND RV
Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE:THO) today announced its acquisition of Heartland Recreational
Vehicles, LLC (Heartland), a privately-held manufacturer of towable recreation vehicles based in
Elkhart, Indiana, for $100 million in cash and 4,300,000 shares of Thor Industries, Inc. common
stock, subject to adjustment. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Thor earnings, based
upon Heartlands recent and historical performance.
From its founding in 2003, Heartland has become the third largest manufacturer of fifth wheels and
the sixth largest manufacturer of travel trailers in the United States based upon Statistical
Surveys retail market data as of June, 2010. Heartland has been the fastest growing RV
manufacturer in recent years. Its brands include Bighorn, Sundance, Cyclone, North Country, and
North Trail, sold through a nationwide network of dealers. Heartland has a strong, motivated
management team and workforce led by Brian Brady, Tim Hoffman, John Rhymer, Dennis Donat, Coley
Brady, Jeff Froschauer and Jack Culbertson, all of whom who will continue with Heartland. Under
Thors new ownership Heartland will remain as an independent operation, in the same manner as
Thors existing recreation vehicle and bus companies. Mr. Brady will report to Ron Fenech, Thors
Group President.
Heartlands strong growth has been driven by a culture of innovation, competitive products, and
attention to the retail customer, said Peter B. Orthwein, Thor Chairman, CEO, & President. Their
sales over the last 12 months exceed $400 million. Thors new relationship with Heartland will
bring many operational synergies to all Thor companies including purchasing and lean production
processes, among others, he continued.
Thor is the worlds largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles and a major builder of commercial
buses and ambulances.
This release includes certain statements that are forward looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward looking statements involve uncertainties and risks.
There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from our expectations. Factors which
could cause materially different results include, among others, additional issues that may arise in
connection with the findings of the completed investigation by the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors of Thor Industries, Inc. (the Company) and the SECs requests for additional
information and the discussion of possible settlement with the SEC relating to the matters raised
by the Audit Committees investigation, fuel prices, fuel availability, lower consumer confidence,
interest rate increases, tight lending practices, increased material costs, the success of new
product introductions, the pace of acquisitions, cost structure improvements, the impact of auction
market failures on our liquidity, competition and general economic conditions and the other risks
and uncertainties discussed more fully in Item 1A of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended July 31, 2009 and Part II, Item 1A of the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the period ended April 30, 2010. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to
disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained in this release or
to reflect any change in the Companys expectations after the date of this release or any change in
events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based except as required by law.