Company on a roll as it makes its pitch…
A THIRD caravan manufacturing business rolled into town on Tuesday night with the launch of Jurgens Caravans in Pakenham.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen threw his support behind the latest addition to Pakenham’s big businesses and said it was “great news” for the shire.
He said managing director of the company, Terry Steel, who lives in Upper Beaconsfield with his family, had chosen Pakenham to grow the business.
“It’s great to be able to promote businesses like this, and it’s in a great location, right near the freeway,” he said.
Cr Owen said that Jurgens would join Pakenham caravan manufacturers Goldstream RV and Av’an Caravans and the council was always encouraging more employment opportunities in the shire.
“The $5 million factory will bring more local jobs,” Cr Owen said.
“They are hoping to add to the 50 employees and add two more each month.”
On Tuesday evening, caravan industry professionals and local businesses toured the factory off Bate Close to see the various stages of production of the caravans, from the base right through to the finishing touches.
They were told that the caravans were made and put together by people, not by machines, which meant that there was a high level of craftsmanship and it meant the traffic inside the caravans was kept to a minimum.
Mr Steel said that it would be a “night to remember” for Pakenham.
“We are proud of what we’ve achieved (over the past five years) especially with this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility,” he said.
“We are here to stay – let’s put Pakenham on the map.”
The company built its first caravan in April 2008 and Mr Steel said it was time to step it up since the company moved from Tooradin to Pakenham.
But he said the company was keen not to forget its roots and named one of its luxury caravans, a 23 feet “beauty” The Tooradin.
“Tooradin has done us proud,” he said.
Mr Steel said the company had plans to become a major player in the RV industry, as well as manufacturing camper trailers later this year.
There were also plans for the production of motor homes and a concept caravan.
He thanked the staff for their support during the big move.
“We might be new, we might be small, we might go unnoticed but we are coming of age and we are forging the future with Jurgens,” Mr Steel said.
