Cavco said that sustained growth in demand for its park model RVs has prompted the company to increase its production capacity with the acquisition of a new tilt-up concrete building in Glendale, Ariz.
“It’s going to be our first air-conditioned, fully dedicated park model factory,” said Bill Boor, president and CEO of Cavco Industries, which also produces manufactured homes and tiny homes.
Cavco said it plans to hire nearly 200 employees to staff the new facility, which is expected to begin park model production late in 2021. The new factory is close to restaurants and other attractions in Glendale, including State Farm Stadium.
“Until now, Cavco has produced most of its park models at its manufacturing plant in Goodyear, which it also uses to produce manufactured homes,” said Tim Gage, national vice president of Park Model and Cabin RVs.
Cavco pointed to its long history in the park model business. It helped pioneer the glamping movement in 1999 when it supplied 100 cedar-sided park models for El Capitan Canyon, a luxury resort near Santa Barbara, Calif.
The company subsequently developed park model rental cabins for Kampgrounds of America (KOA) in 2003. Today, Cavco continues to supply more than 500 campgrounds, RV parks and hospitality resorts across the U.S. and Canada.
Cavco is also a key park model supplier for Southfield, Mich.-based Sun Communities, which uses Cavco park models as rental accommodations for its newest resorts, including Jellystone Park at Larkspur in Larkspur, Colo.; River Run RV Resort in Granby, Colo.; and Costa Vista RV Resort in Chula Vista, Calif., which will open this spring.
Gage said Cavco continues to see strong park model demand from campgrounds and RV resorts not only because the company builds attractive units, but also because it offers turnkey services. “We not only design, build, ship and install these units, but we also offer furnishing packages that include everything from kitchen supplies to linens and drapes,” Gage said.
Additional demand comes from consumers and park model dealers, who sell the 400-square-foot units for use as seasonal and vacation getaways.
Cavco has 19 factories across the U.S., including several that produce park models under the Chariot Eagle, Fairmont Homes and Palm Harbor Homes brand names. “This decision to build a dedicated park model facility will enable Cavco to go to a higher level in meeting the needs of customers,” Gage said.