The Manufactured Housing Forums

I would once again like some input from you guys...

I sell Hart Housing Group homes- they have just been "bought out" by Forest River Inc.- Hart says that they just made them a great offer & they took it. They will still be Hart Housing but now a division of Forest River Homes.

I would like to know if anyone has heard good and/or bad about this.... is was all very quiet & sudden. I received notice 6/20 - took effect 6/30.

My sales rep is playing everything very close to them, I am not getting alot of info.

Thanks-

With the holiday...and this is the time most plants are closed..I can understand a little bit of the quiet...but...I would think that keeping dealer in the loop would be very important..because dealers like you made it possible that they sell..at a profit I would suspect..

I know nothing about these companies...but I can understand your feelings...I would give them a few days to get comfortable...almost always when ownership changes...policies change...for the better I hope...Good Luck

I heard that Forest River Inc. is a major player in the RV field. I did a search & they are big about 1.2 Billion !

Hopefully they will work well with the smaller dealers that have helped Hart keeps it's good name. And not try to just have larger dealers- to sell more fast without worrying about the product & customer. We have several like that around me & people are always complaining about the "slick" salesmen.

I did hear that most (all) of the sales reps for Hart are going to be let go..... that does not sound so great right now. My sales rep was very good & always went the extra step to help me with questions are anything.

I guess I will just have to sit tight & see....

It is interesting news that a rv player is getting into the manufactured home business..Letting go of the saleperson would concern me too if I were you...I hope they are not closing the plant to convert it to a motorhome plant....a very profitable business right now..

I have dealt with both Hart and Forest River. I find Forest River to be a good company to do business with. I am more concerned about personnel exodus and the appointment of a former fleetwood exec. My concern would be that volume would become more important than quality. As long as you are cautious i don't see too much to worry about. Because even if they slip some, Hart will still be the best house on the market. And Forest River does have very deep pockets to aid in the switch to modulars.

After just 2 weeks I can see some great changes for Hart & myself as a dealer.

They are letting go some of the staff - which is fine- they brought back a great sales rep that left Hart last year. I have been talking to him almost daily & things sound great. That is a plus for me- I like knowing that my rep actually cares about the dealer!

They are bringing out a new product line & I will be going to the factory to see this before I order anything.

I think the deep pockets will be wonderful all around- they have made changes in the prices ( for the better). I am still taking baby steps but now with looking towards the future.

Thanks- Karen