Airstream acknowledged by Ridge Company for modern improvement and powerful partnership on new composite flooring
Wooden flooring has lengthy served the RV trade as the muse upon which the house on wheels is constructed. However in 2015, Airstream started exploring methods to enhance on that time-tested strategy. Pushed by almost 9 many years of innovation and inspired by buyer suggestions, Airstream partnered with Ridge Company – a pacesetter in composite manufacturing.
The result’s TransCore™ a proprietary composite fashioned from waterproof, inert glass, and polypropylene. It’s a state-of-the-art composite engineered for firmness beneath foot, energy, and screw retention. Moderately than utilizing adhesives to hitch the numerous layers of the flooring collectively, TransCore is warmth bonded – fusing the layers collectively in a whole, single piece. It’s manufactured uniquely for Airstream, and Ridge just lately acknowledged Airstream for the corporate’s dedication to the undertaking, the teamwork in constructing this proprietary product, and the innovation that helped drive each firms ahead.
“The trouble was actually hand in hand,” stated Chris Rahrig, Airstream VP of Provide Chain. “It’s an excellent instance of collaboration, turning our prospects’ requests into actuality.”
Ridge Company Founder & CEO Gary Grandominico stated his Ohio-based firm is devoted to growing robust relationships with producers throughout the state.
“Manufacturing an excellent product is crucial to our objectives,” he stated. “However working with Airstream to construct modern options for these iconic journey trailers is a dream come true. We’re excited to keep up an excellent partnership and work to enhance all our merchandise sooner or later.”
One of the crucial necessary areas of enchancment affected by the composite flooring is screw retention. Airstream demanded a product that supplied optimum energy, sturdiness, and efficiency with the intention to reduce motion of furnishings and cabinetry.
“Vibration is a typical hurdle within the RV trade,” stated Rahrig, “and TransCore is a step ahead in clearing that hurdle, amongst many extra. Not solely does this new flooring present us extra precision and energy, however the truth that it’s a single piece means house owners don’t expertise the squeaking when separate items of flooring rub collectively. It’s actually an unbelievable product.”
TransCore is a singular resolution for changing the usual plywood frequent within the RV trade. It has a real composite construction that mixes quite a lot of sustainably produced, environmentally-friendly elements right into a premium, long-lasting flooring. Developed particularly for Airstream, TransCore wouldn’t have been potential with out the shut collaboration between the Airstream workforce and Ridge.
“There was an openness to work with us by the event cycle and into implementation,” stated Bob Mouk, Airstream Provide Chain Director. “We’ve gotten to some extent the place we’re all actually happy with the product. And we’re benefiting from our new, bigger facility to work with these massive, single items of flooring.”
On account of the rising partnership, Ridge’s total efficiency has been excellent – bringing them nearer to changing into one of many first Airstream suppliers to realize 5 Rivet Provider standing. The brand new Airstream program evaluates suppliers on 5 standards:
- Assembly supply deadlines
- Supplying defect-free supplies
- Favorable service scores
- Price initiatives
- Modern options
“Our relationship with our suppliers has by no means been extra necessary,” stated Rahrig. “Ridge has set the bar excessive for future 5 Rivet Suppliers, and we imagine they’re an inspiration to different suppliers who need to be part of Airstream’s legacy of innovation and craftsmanship.”
