Coachmen(R) Celebrates Grand Opening of New Motorhome Plant

Coachmen(R) Celebrates Grand Opening of New Motorhome Plant
Facility to Add 175 Jobs, Build New Concord(TM) and Other Class C Models 


MIDDLEBURY, Ind., Nov. 6  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Coachmen Recreational
Vehicle Company employees and executives were joined today by Indiana Lt.
Governor Kathy Davis and other state and local dignitaries to celebrate the
grand opening of the Company's newest production facility.

"This new motorhome plant is symbolic of the achievements of our past as well as
our promising future.  Coachmen RV Company has a proud 40-year history made
possible by the hard work of our many valued Team Members.  Dedicated Coachmen
employees continue to build on our successes as we carry our Company's legacy
into the future," said Michael R. Terlep, President of Coachmen Recreational
Vehicle Company.

Because of strong demand for its Class C motorhomes, Coachmen designed this
127,000 square-foot plant specifically for Class C production.  The plant is
Coachmen's largest and is expected to create up to 175 new jobs when it reaches
full production capacity.

"The investment in this new plant demonstrates Coachmen's commitment to the
long- term growth of our Company, our community and our industry," said Claire
C. Skinner, Chairman, CEO and President of Coachmen Industries, Inc., the parent
Company of Coachmen RV Company.  "In terms of retail market share, Coachmen is
the number two name in Class C's.  The additional manufacturing capacity and
increased production rates afforded us by this new plant should help drive
market share gains for Coachmen at both the retail and wholesale levels."

"Today's announcement reflects Coachmen's commitment to producing innovative,
quality products right here in Indiana," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis. "This new
Middlebury plant creates a win-win situation for the company and residents as we
look towards increased production and up to 175 employment opportunities."

One of the models currently being produced in the new plant is the just-
introduced Concord(TM), a downsized Class C motorhome without the normal front
overhead bunk area and with a curved, eye-catching design.  The Concord has been
enjoying rave reviews from dealers and consumers.  Coachmen's popular
Freedom(TM), Freelander(TM), Leprechaun(R), Santara(R), and Shasta(R)
Cheyenne(TM) Class C models will also be built in the new plant.

The plant, which began producing the Concord in August and Coachmen's
conventional Class C's in October, features two assembly lines that allow for
increased production efficiency by segregating production based on the
complexity of models.  It also includes over 24,000 sq. ft. of mezzanines for
offline manufacturing processes, such as assembling cabinets and other modules,
providing improved material flow and manufacturing processes.  Cranes will lower
finished sections for installation in the motorhomes.

The new plant provides Coachmen RV Company with much-needed additional
production capacity to meet growing demand for its overall lineup of Class A and
Class C motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth wheels.  Last July, when Coachmen
introduced its 2004 models to its dealer body, the Company received $100 million
in orders for its products, leading to an RV order backlog that was 78 percent
larger on Sept. 30 than it was on June 30.  "Our products are capturing the
attention of the market at both wholesale and retail levels. The result is
increased demand for our RVs and we are now fully prepared to meet that demand,"
noted Terlep.

In addition, the third quarter of 2003 was the best in four years for Coachmen
Industries, Inc.  Its earnings were up 25 percent compared to the third quarter
of 2002, and 89 percent higher than the second quarter of this year.  Sales for
Coachmen Industries' RV segment rose 20 percent from its third quarter 2002
figures.  "Thanks to the talented employees at Coachmen, we have tremendous
momentum in the market place, which makes the timing perfect for launching our
newest state-of-the-art production facility.  This plant, as well as the
investments we've made in several other manufacturing facilities throughout our
Company, will provide continued growth for Coachmen as we build upon our
momentum," added Terlep.

"We're delighted Coachmen chose to expand their operations here," said Phil
Penn, President of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce.  "They're a leader
in Elkhart County's leading industry, and we're pleased with their continuing
strength and growth.  They're a homegrown company that we know will be here for
a long time.  We're very proud of Coachmen RV Company and what it means to this
area."

Gary O'Dell, President of the Middlebury Town Council, is also pleased with
Coachmen's expansion.  "This is good for our community and good for Coachmen,
and we should all reap the benefits of new jobs coming here.  We're very happy
that Coachmen wants to stay here in Middlebury."

Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company, LLC markets travel trailers, fifth wheel
trailers, class A and class C motorhomes.  A subsidiary of Elkhart,
Indiana-based Coachmen Industries, Inc., Coachmen RV Company was founded in 1964
in Middlebury, Ind., where its headquarters and largest manufacturing facility
are located.  Manufacturing sites are also located in Goshen, Ind., and
Fitzgerald, Ga.  WALT DISNEY WORLD(R) Resort has designated Coachmen as the
official recreational vehicle of Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
and Disney's Wide World of Sports(TM) complex in Florida.  Coachmen can be seen
on the Discovery Channel's hit television series, Monster House.

Coachmen Industries, Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of
recreational vehicles with well-known brand names including COACHMEN(R), GEORGIE
BOY(R), SHASTA(R), SPORTSCOACH(R) and VIKING(R).  Coachmen Industries is also
one of the largest systems-built home producers in the nation with its ALL
AMERICAN HOMES(R) subsidiary.  Modular commercial structures are manufactured by
the Company's Miller Building Systems subsidiary.  Prodesign, LLC is a
subsidiary that custom thermoforms composite and plastic parts for numerous
industries under the PRODESIGN(R) brand.  Coachmen Industries, Inc. is a
publicly held company with stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
under the COA ticker symbol. 

DATASOURCE: Coachmen Industries, Inc.



CONTACT: Rich Allen, Corporate Communications of Coachmen Industries,

Inc., [phone], or 



Web site:  http://www.coachmen.com/ 

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