Business is booming as vans keep moving

WHEN Southern Design RV Ballarat launched eighteen months ago, they couldn’t have predicted the position they’d be in mid-2020.

COVID-19 may have arrived for the long haul, but regardless, the caravan business offering Design RVs, Network RVs, used vans, service and insurance work, has been “out of control,” according to sales manager, Steve Strick.

“We delivered 32 vans in May, and for June, we’ve already got 18 vans on the board,” he said.

“During all this, we’ve put on two people, and we’re trying to get someone else to come on. It’s rewarding knowing that we’re all financially stable and we can offer people jobs.

“It’s not just short-term work, either. It’s going to become an even bigger industry.”

With communities shut inside, self-isolating over the last few months, Mr Strick attributed this boom to young families’ readiness to get out and about, not just grey nomads.

“Australia’s full of beautiful spots. My wife and I have a caravan now, it goes everywhere with us and there are spots we wouldn’t have even thought to go and have a look at otherwise.”

For Mr Strick, family vans, whether off-road or touring, are not only a way to see the country, but an asset.

“You can go overseas and spend $30,000 on a holiday, create some great memories and see a part of the world, but that’s all you’ve got at the end of it.

“A caravan is a good investment and something you can enjoy. In five years’ time, if you decide you don’t want to do this anymore, you’re still going to get a good portion of your money back,” he said.

Southern Design RV Ballarat’s products are not only a way to see Victoria and the broader country, they’re made not far from home, too.

“The manufacturing plant in Campbellfield in Melbourne never closed their doors once through the whole COVID period, and they kept all their staff on. They’re full, Australian-built caravans,” Mr Strick said.

“They say, the second biggest purchase other than your house, is a caravan. We want people to have a good experience, from start to finish.”

Southern Design RV Ballarat have sold 400 new caravans since they launched. Visit southerndesignrv.com.au.