

Coachman is set to reveal a whole range of hidden qualities as it embarks on its marketing and dealer communications campaign for the forthcoming season.
For a number of years now, Coachman has made “quality” its top priority through all stages of product development, raw materials selection, caravan design and manufacture. Coachman’s marketing effort has echoed this theme and dealers and caravanners alike across the country increasingly associate the Coachman brand with good design, quality specification and high standards of construction.
Focusing on quality is helping to differentiate the Coachman range from other volume manufacturers, as Managing Director, Jim Hibbs, explains: “We have avoided the temptation of following the pricing strategies of other manufacturers, simply because we are not in the business of compromising on our build-quality and specification levels. The caravan market is similar to the car market or any other market for that matter – there will always be a demand for a high quality, well-engineered product that will stand the test of time and hold its resale value. Our sales in 2006 and a rapidly expanding order book for 2007 underline that fact.”
“We take great care and pride in the quality of the raw materials we select, the standards of design and construction we consistently achieve, and our attention to the smallest detail. We thought it was about time we told people about the methods and procedures we employ at our factory that lend real substance to the image of quality associated with the Coachman name.”
These are just some of the examples of attention-to-detail and high construction standards referred to by Jim Hibbs:
Solid plywood panel furniture construction
Coachman furniture is manufactured using computer controlled maching centres. This assures exceptional strength and a 100% accurate fit everytime. Furniture is fully fitted flush to the caravan ceiling. No gaps. No filler strips.
Double laminated roof
All Coachman caravan roofs are fitted with plywood top and bottom, which means there is no movement. Although we don’t recommend you try, Coachman claim the roof is so strong you could stand on it.
Bonded floor
Timber rails measuring 38 × 35 mm are a standard feature of floor construction across the Coachman range. This not only gives extra rigidity and strength, it also greatly reduces any chance of delamination.
Durable, high quality upholstery
Mattresses and lounge upholstery feature foam surrounds to the springs, rather than fibre surrounds, for extra comfort and better shape retention.
One-piece shower cubicles
End bathrooms and all fixed bed models in the Coachman range include a seamless, one-piece shower cubicle. This not only offers extra strength and rigidity, there are no joints where water can penetrate.
In addition, every Coachman caravan is subjected to rigorous pre-delivery checks. All electric, gas and water systems are tested on line for at least 18 hours. Plus, Coachman’s ratio of 4 inspectors for 8 vans per day must surely be one of, if not the best in the industry.
22/05/2008
Coachman Caravans’ first ever apprentices have completed the preliminary phase of their apprenticeship programme.
This formal programme is designed to last three years in total and to give the apprentices a fully rounded knowledge of each department in the Coachman factory, by following a detailed programme of practical work.
21/05/2008
In the Summer 2008 edition of The Business (the magazine produced by the NCC for its members) the following interview with Rob Ganley appeared. Rob asked Jim many questions including “If I wasn’t in the industry now?” and “What’s my motto?” To see the answers to these and many more, please read on.
24/04/2008
Coachman Caravans, one of the UK’s leading caravan manufacturers, has appointed local building contractor, John Thompson Developments Ltd, to complete the final phase of their £3.5 million factory extension.