The founding partners at Ember Recreational Vehicles, a startup RV manufacturing company in Elkhart, Ind., hosted prospective dealers last week, describing their mission and vision for their company and its products. Ember hosted numerous individual dealer groups by private appointment at a product debut event held at its Bristol, Ind., facility.
Ashley Bontrager is the company’s CEO, president and majority shareholder. She is the granddaughter of Lloyd and Bertha Bontrager, founders of Jayco, a company which grew to become one of the nation’s largest RV manufacturers.
A graduate of Butler University with public relations experience on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., she returned to her home state to serve at her family’s business in 2011.
At the weeklong event, Ember debuted four of its innovative travel trailers specifically designed for adventure camping off-road and off-grid.
“Leading a company has always been a goal of mine. And growing up around the RV industry through my family’s company, it has always been special to me,” Bontrager said. “There’s a unique energy in this industry that is alluring and it’s full of so many great people who are talented and innovative. Luckily, I have three of the best working alongside me to not only build RVs, but to build a great company, too.”
She said that Chris Barth, an industry veteran of 25 years, is known for his innovative, trend-setting designs with a lengthy array of significant RV product improvements to his credit. She said Barth was also known for his strong relationships with and service to dealers across the nation. Barth joined Ember as co-founder, vice president, and chief operating officer (COO).
Barth grew up in Elkhart County, Ind., in the lap of the RV industry. Before and after his years at the University of Dayton, Barth worked in various facets of his family’s business, Julius Barth & Associates, ranging from sales to graphic design, finally being named president in 2008. After selling his family’s business, Barth spent 5 years in sales and product management at Forest River followed by 6 years at Jayco, Inc., where he became senior director of product development for all towables.
“I’m passionate about the team we’ve put together to deliver high value, intentionally designed products for today’s more discerning owners. Ashley has empowered our team to build better RVs by building a better RV company,” Barth said. “We’re excited to enter the marketplace in the new, but fast-growing segment of adventure campers, taking design cues from European and Australian caravans as much as from the growing overland culture here at home. We know our higher quality approach won’t produce the lowest-priced products, but price is only an issue in the absence of value and we think today’s RV customers will see the difference.”
Ember’s founders’ group also include industry veterans Steve Delagrange and Ernie Miller, who bring a total of 47 years of manufacturing experience to the new company. Each will serve as a director of operations.
Production at Ember is slated to begin in late-October.
