Jim Hammil leaving Roadtrek/Hymer?

[Rvtech]

you have a link by any chance?

[booster]

Thanks Rvtech for your personal insight, and the best of luck to you and the other employees going forward.


I had never heard that that Jim Hammill and the others all came from Bud essentially together, so very interesting.


Years ago, before the first Roadtrek sale, there had been some comments made by some local RV reps and sales people (yep, I understand the normal truth level of that group) at an RV show that there was a "palace revolt" going on at Roadtrek trying to push out the family owners. That change did happen soon after the sale with the last family member pushed out earlier than his contract called for after the sale. There were even those who claimed that the sale was setup to happen by those trying to take over. I never gave it much thought as stories like that go around all the time about family businesses, but what is going on now makes it seem somewhat more possible.

[TygerMark]

Originally Posted by Rvtech

you have a link by any chance?

See 14:19

https://youtu.be/Q5iTI8zCXvY

[mumkin]

RV Tech... we owners of RTs hope to see things settled as quickly as possible to save your job. My contacts at the company are all in the office, of course, but there are some really great employees that have been there for years. Thanks for your information which certainly clarifies some of the past history questions that many of us had.

As to Wendland's response, I can't really fault it, and what one would expect considering his long time relationship with the company.

[booster]

Originally Posted by mumkin

As to Wendland's response, I can't really fault it, and what one would expect considering his long time relationship with the company.

I had exactly the same impression when I watched the Wendlund statement. He was a reporter of stuff like this in his previous life, so I would think he has a feeling of what is going on that is likely pretty accurate, but he is smart enough not to state it because of the very awkward position he is in. I think he did very well with it.

[gregmchugh]

At this point it is pretty hard to think there is nothing to the report of shady financial dealings. The questions of who in management was directly involved and who in management knew about it but didn’t act will be made public at some point and we will see what happens to them. In the end you have to feel for the workforce who have their livelihood tied to the company and who have the most to lose if this results in a downturn for the company. Clearly, no sympathy for anyone in management who was involved or who didn’t act on knowledge of the shady financial stuff that was going on.

This will be an interesting story to follow as it progresses...

[B-RV]

https://rvdailyreport.com/industry/e...ed-by-scandal/

[B-RV]

KITCHENER, Ontario — An swirl of rumors involving Erwin Hymer North America this week may prevent the acquisition of the company by Thor Industries, RV Daily Report has learned.

Officials from Erwin Hymer North America and Thor Industries have not yet responded to multiple inquires made by RV Daily Report today. However, several people familiar with the situation, but who are not authorized to speak on behalf of the company, were able to confirm some details.

CEO Jim Hammill, chief financial officer Mark Weigel and chief operating officer Howard Stratton have been terminated effective immediately. At least one of the executives was escorted from the company property.

An investigation was launched regarding financial impropriety. The charges are far reaching and could have devastating consequences for the firm’s future worldwide, the sources noted.

Among the allegations are charges that 1,700 invoices may have been fabricated in that the vehicle identification numbers for the Class B motorhomes do not correlate to any vehicles produced by the firm.

Some dealers have begun questioning company figures that show their businesses selling more Roadtrek RVs than the dealers ordered from the Erwin Hymer North America in recent months.

The fraudulent invoices could exceed $100 million in total value, with money redirected to bank accounts tied to high-level officials with Erwin Hymer North America or their family members, some of which were on the payroll, but did not officially work for the company.

Forensic accountants have been summoned to the firm, with additional attention being directed toward Erwin Hymer North America’s recent acquisition of American Fastback, although a representative at the American Fastback display in Tampa said the transaction had not yet been finalized.

Sources indicated that the acquisition of American Fastback was made by officials with Erwin Hymer North America using company funds, but without full knowledge of officials with Erwin Hymer Group’s corporate office in Germany.

The point of the transaction was to improve the position of Erwin Hymer North America for acquisition by suggesting the company was in better financial shape than it appeared, a source explained.

The employee count at Erwin Hymer North America ballooned from 300 to nearly 1,000 in recent years. However, it appears several employees may be related to high-level officials at the company — if they exist at all — and they were paid for their work, but had no official duties with the firm.

Sources also suggest that forensic accountants have uncovered a number of bogus invoices paid by the company into bank accounts owned by relatives of corporate officials.

According to a news report published by CTV Canada, 100 workers at the company were laid off this week and reportedly told it was due to an “economic downturn.” The report also noted that vacation pay was being withheld due to an internal audit.

A source told RV Daily Report that all but 50 employees may be furloughed soon as an investigation into Irwin Hymer North America’s financial situation is carried out.

Erwin Hymer North America issued a press release Aug. 16 boasting that the firm had a strong 2017, landing on top of the North American market for Class B Motorhomes with over 32.5% retail market share in North America and over 56% retail market share in Canada alone, as reported by Statistical Surveys, a Michigan market research firm.

According to the RV Industry Association, Class B motorhomes were the second fastest growing segment in 2018 with deliveries up 12.6 percent, behind truck campers at 22.1 percent. All other industry segments reported year-to-date declines in December.

[brianm142@hotmail.com]

You can get the complete story at:

https://rvdailyreport.com/industry/e...ed-by-scandal/[/

Would be a shame for the employees and industry if this reporting is true.

[booster]

I have never heard of American Fastback, but did find their website, which at the bottom of the page says they are a Hymer North America company, so that matches part of the story but contradicts the deal not being closed yet. They appear to make aftermarket Jeep tops, etc


https://www.americanfastbacks.com/about-us/

[gregmchugh]

Originally Posted by booster

I have never heard of American Fastback, but did find their website, which at the bottom of the page says they are a Hymer North America company, so that matches part of the story but contradicts the deal not being closed yet. They appear to make aftermarket Jeep tops, etc


https://www.americanfastbacks.com/about-us/

Yes, they advertise a lot on Facebook targeting the 4wd off road groups..

[bwolfsohn]

Originally Posted by booster

I have never heard of American Fastback, but did find their website, which at the bottom of the page says they are a Hymer North America company, so that matches part of the story but contradicts the deal not being closed yet. They appear to make aftermarket Jeep tops, etc


https://www.americanfastbacks.com/about-us/

Booster,

their vehicles were being displayed in the EH area at the tampa show..

[warpig]

In regard to American Fastback, there are several dealers that I am aware of who are Hymer dealers that have been selling the Fastbacks since at least the Fall 2018.

[wpshivers]

It appears a lot more is going on at Roadtrek/Erwin Hymer North America than some layoffs according the following article:

https://rvdailyreport.com/industry/e...oQYo4rWfWIggVA

So far the only response is from Jim Hammill....

“Hello Greg, I was texted your article this morning and I am astounded that you have written something that is fabricated like this. Absolutely astounded.” — Jim Hammill

[Padderic]

Originally Posted by ContinuousImprovement

Mr. Jim Hammill is named in the referenced Attorney General evidence file. His departure doesn't change the status of owner complaint filings, attorney general investigations or the legislative proposals. You should file if you have a Roadtrek, Hymer or Carado with the Microgreen Inverter/Charger and haven't already filed a complaint with your Attorney General.
https://sites.google.com/view/suiet-...na?authuser=23

I just bought a used 2016 RT 210, I don't know anything about this. How can I tell if I have that inverter/charger?

[bobojay]

Originally Posted by Padderic

I just bought a used 2016 RT 210, I don't know anything about this. How can I tell if I have that inverter/charger?

What's on your paperwork? What's the unit itself say? That's the best way to find out

[gregmchugh]

Originally Posted by Padderic

I just bought a used 2016 RT 210, I don't know anything about this. How can I tell if I have that inverter/charger?

You either have a Tripp-Lite inverter/charger or the Roadtrek inverter/charger that is the one with the safety issues. Easiest way to determine which you have is to locate it and look at it to see which you have. Someone will have to tell you where it is located in a 2016 RT 210.

[Rvtech]

Originally Posted by Padderic

I just bought a used 2016 RT 210, I don't know anything about this. How can I tell if I have that inverter/charger?

Most of them should have the inverter in the back under the sofa. If not take a picture of the back with the doors open and in the inside and I will tell you where and if u have one. If there is an inverter u should see a switch labeled inverter on the monitor panel

[Rvtech]

It looks like a giant rectangle box to be honest

[Rvtech]

If your talking about the gu alternator that charges it just look under the front of your unit and it’s a giant silver ball with 2 belts on it. Or take a pic and send me it