SmartRV’s fleet team leader Patrick Frick recently returned from Germany with vanloads of local know-how for the New Zealand RV market. The Erwin Hymer Group, Europe’s biggest motorhome and caravan manufacturer and parent company of the Bürstner brand, hosted Patrick during his week-long visit.
“The German automotive industry is the most competitive in the world. It was a great opportunity to witness the commitment to quality and innovation first hand and get industry intelligence that we can implement for our RV family here in New Zealnd,” says Patrick.
Patrick toured the Bürstner and Hymer production facilities and learnt about industry-leading manufacturing and quality control methods. At the Bürstner service centre and workshop, he received hands-on training from the experts in maintenance, repairs and upgrades, as well as access to the extensive parts department.
“We pride ourselves on holding more spare parts than any other RV importer in New Zealand. Having a reliable supply of parts is key to keeping our customers on the road,” says Patrick.
He was also inducted into Bürstner’s rigorous annual water tightness testing regime, which SmartRV can now conduct in Auckland and Christchurch.
SmartRV’s managing director John Managh says the company’s investment in training, especially in Germany where its motorhomes are designed and manufactured, has paid off.
“Six members of our team have visited Germany in the past year. The motorhome world is rapidly evolving and we want our team to be at the forefront.
“The more we know about how the design and manufacturing processes and the intricacies of how every element works, the more value we can deliver to our customers.
“It’s not only important to really know our product but to also inspire and reward our team with development programmes like this.”
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