AL-KO Group

Vehicle Technology

Gardening and DIY

Ventilation Technology

AL-KO launches Aftermarket Product Range to the retail market

AL-KO International has announced a new initiative to satisfy the growing retail demand for Australia's number one chassis components product range.

With the majority of Caravan's, Trailers, Boat Trailers, Horse Floats and RV's in Australia, and a growing number in New Zealand, carrying AL-KO components, it made perfect sense for the owners of these towed vehicles to have the ability to replace their vehicles components if required with the original equipment. This also extended to consumers who were upgrading or refurbishing their towed vehicles and want to replace their non AL-KO equipment with the best on the market.

With a growing number of suppliers of RV accessories in Australia and New Zealand becoming distributors of the AL-KO Aftermarket products, the range of AL-KO Aftermarket products is becoming accessible to anyone who wants to ensure that only the very best chassis components and RV accessories are on their towed vehicles.

As our latest advertising campaign suggests -

There is no price you can place on safety

Click here to view latest advert

For more information, head to the AL-KO Aftermarket webpage by clicking the link.

AL-KO Purchases Sens-a-BRAKE

AL-KO International Australian Managing Director Mr. Sven Mannfolk, today announced an exciting new venture for AL-KO, with the purchase of Sens-a-BRAKE from New Zealand company Edge International.

AL-KO has been the largest customer of the Sens-a-BRAKE product and the exclusive distributor in Australia. AL-KO will now put its resources into developing the product further and distribute Sens-a-BRAKE world wide.  

"This is a very exciting announcement, and we see big opportunities with Sens-a-BRAKE" said AL-KO MD Mr. Sven Mannfolk. Throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as North America, owners of large boat trailers, horse floats and caravans face a real dilemma as, by law, their rigs must incorporate power assisted brake application. The Sens-a-BRAKE provides the best solution for these towing applications.

Click on the Link to read the full press release

AL-KO Announces First Australian Premium Dealer

AL-KO International is pleased to annouce Powerquip in Hallam Victoria as the first Australian Power Garden outlet to achieve Premium Dealer Status.

The AL-KO Premium Dealer status category offers Power Garden retail outlets the opportunity to range the entire AL-KO Garden Range, including Ride on Tractors, Lawn Mowers, Domestic Water Pumps and other products within this expanding range.

Pictured is Shane Russell from Powerquip Hallam with his Premium Dealer trophy, giving Shane a competitive advantage over other Power Garden retailers within Powerquips geographical area.

Anyone interested in the Premium Dealer program can contact

AL-KO on (03) 9767 3700.

Click here to read the full Press release

AL-KO Opens new site in Yatala Queensland

AL-KO International opened the doors to its new Queensland offices in January 2009. Now located in Yatala, the new offices and factory site boasts state of the art design and logistic capacity to further increase the AL-KO's customer service and distribution levels. Queensland State Manager, Mr. Mike Jovicic has spent many hours, along with senior management of AL-KO, in designing a facility that will be able to cope with the future growth of AL-KO in Queensland over the coming years.

AL-KO's Queensland offices are now located at -

13 Union Circuit, Yatala, QLD, 4207

Ph:   (07) 3386 6300

Fax:  (07) 3386 6399

email: info@alko.com.au

AL-KO Senior Manager wins Prestigious Industry Award

AL-KO International Technical and Manufacturing Manager Mr. Robert Funder was awarded the CRVA Eric Hayman Award for his outstanding contribution to the Caravan and RV industry. The award was presented at the CRVA National Conference in Melbourne in February, and is a fitting recognition of Roberts contributions over the past 35 years within this industry.

Robert has been an industry leader for many years, instrumental in setting up training programs in conjunction with training institutions and facilitators, a leader in technical innovation within the RV industry, a champion for increased safety regulations and requirements and is a mentor and advisor without peer.

AL-KO International would like to congratulate Robert Funder on being the 22nd receipient of this very prestigious award.

  AL-KO purchases New Zealand  offices and factory complex

AL-KO has announced the purchase of the head office and factory facility it had previously been leasing in Auckland.

In a show of commitment to its New Zealand operation and the New Zealand market, AL-KO, one of the worlds largest manufacturers of Caravan, Trailer and RV components, as well as Power Garden equipment has finalized negotiation with the current owners of their facility in Richard Pearse Drive in the Airpark Estate in Auckland, to ensure a long term presence.

AL-KO is no newcomer to the New Zealand market, having established distribution channels for its many products for over 20 year. In 2006 the company took the decision to set up operations in New Zealand under its own name.

“We are very pleased to have purchased the property, particularly as it includes vacant land for further expansions. We plan to increase our products and services in New Zealand and this gives us the ideal base for future growth” said Mr. Sven Mannfolk, Managing Director of AL-KO Australia and New Zealand.

“AL-KO has a strong and dedicated team in New Zealand and recently appointed Mark Lovell as Sales Manager to further strengthen our position. Purchasing this facility allows us to now invest further in R&D for the New Zealand market and we look forward to working closely with our customers”.

For more information on the complete range of AL-KO products in New Zealand, please contact

Mark Lovell –

Phone: 09 2555611   Fax: 09 21 338701

PO Box 201082

Auckland In'tl Airport

Auckland

email: mlovell@alko.com.au

CARAVAN & MOTOR-HOME PRODUCTION TO INCREASE IN 2008

The Australian recreational vehicle manufacturing industry continued to expand steadily during 2007, despite the hefty increases in the cost of petrol, according to RVMAA president, Tony Bellamy. Most pleasingly, it looks like last year's total production figure of around 19,200 units will be bettered during 2008 as manufacturers' order books are quickly filling up, with a typical waiting period of a few months for new specific caravans. Interest in purchasing new RVs at this year's RV Shows has been very high.

“Production of caravans, camper-trailers, motorhomes and camper-vans has steadily increased over the past decade. The quality and appointments of locally-made RV’s continues to improve, with owners realizing they can travel with all of the luxuries of home. Programs such as the “60 Minutes” segment on “spending the kids’ inheritance” have been instrumental in increasing the attraction of travelling around Australia in a self-contained RV”, Tony said. “Australian-designed and made RV’s are world-class, and provide excellent value-for-money over the range from basic camper-trailers to the most elaborate motor-homes”, RVMAA vice-president Gerry Ryan said. “Buyers of locally-made RV’s from RVMAA Members can have confidence that they are buying a safe and quality product, and that their new purchase complies with all applicable safety standards, in addition to the RVMAA’s Code of Practice”, Gerry added.

www.rmvaa.com.au

AL-KO Water Pumps ‘record’ sales month in August

AL-KO International’s range of German designed and engineered domestic household waterpumps have sold in record numbers, with all models recording over incredible sales growth over the past 3 months.

“We believe that there are a number of factors that have been the bedrock of the AL-KO success” – Marketing Manager Mr. Mark Le Grew responded when asked about the success of the water pump range.

“The continual increase in awareness by the general householder of good, water saving initiatives means water tank, and therefore water pump and associated item sales remain strong and the product is therefore in constant demand. This has helped AL-KO launch our water pumps onto the market with such success”

The AL-KO Jet garden transfer water pumps have had an increase of over 275% since they were launched, with our HWA 1001 increasing in sales by 200%, and our water pump accessories range also increasing by 200%.

But, the standout models in the range have certainly been the HW range of domestic household water pumps, increasing in sales by over 400%.

And with AL-KO completing their first month’s worth of Submersible pump sales, they are looking forward to not only maintaining, but increasing this outstanding sales growth over the next 3-4 months.

What other factors have helped achieve these growth results?

“All of our products are very competitively priced and carry a 2 year REPLACEMENT warranty as opposed to alternate manufacturer’s repair warranties, as well as the strong brand presence and reputation that AL-KO has achieved here in Australia over the past 50 years, and in Europe for over 80 years”.

“What we have also found from responses by customers to our product surveys indicate that the versatility of the AL-KO water pumps has been a standout feature” Mr. Le Grew said. “The fact that the AL-KO range covers just about all domestic household and garden water transfer and usage requirements, at an affordable price, means that previously, when someone may have baulked at purchasing a pump, they can now enter the market at a price as low as $99. This opens up a whole new market for retailers and consumers alike”.   

For more information on the AL-KO Garden Care range, please contact AL-KO on 1800 035 603 or log onto www.alko.com.au to view the AL-KO range of Power Garden products

AL-KO products are available in all good Hardware, Plumbing and DIY stores, as well as through selected tank manufacturers and nurseries throughout Australia and New Zealand.

AL-KO wins Best Stand Award at the 2007 Melbourne Caravan Show

AL-KO is proud to announce that it won the award for the best stand in the caravan accessories category, at the Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow, held at the Caulfield racecourse.

This year’s stand was a new design that reflected the new AL-KO corporate image.

New products were on display including the Airtop additional air suspension system for motorhomes, as well as the hydraulic disc brakes which generated a lot of interest. While a number of the traditional displays were there including the IRS Rubber Suspension Axle machine which demonstrates the operation of this very popular product.

“The AL-KO stand has always been a place where you can visit and learn more about the products that are underneath your caravan or camper trailer. They may not be the most glamorous of products, but they certainly are very important in ensuring that you have an enjoyable camping trip,” said Simon Healey, Marketing Services Manager for AL-KO International.

AL-KO will be at next year’s Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow. We look forward to seeing you there and introducing some new and exciting products to the Caravan, Camper Trailer and Motorhome industry.

AL-KO announces arrival of new Airtop Suspension for Motorhomes

On display at the Victorian Caravan and Camping Show for the first time, will be the AL-KO Airtop™ Suspension system.

AL-KO’s new Airtop™ product provides additional air suspension for motorhomes. For the discerning motorhome owner, the Airtop™ will offer a lot more driving comfort and safety as it provides greater spring stiffness as well as improved body roll stability.

The clever design of the AL-KO Airtop™ ensures that it is easy to use. Manual level control is set via an external air supply at a service station or a home compressor, while the left or right air bags can have their air pressure adjusted independently.

With the AL-KO Airtop™ fitted, ground clearance and rear slope angles can be adjusted. This can come in handy when driving your motorhome into tight fitting carports or onto a barge at a river crossing.

All this additional driving comfort comes with the benefit of being virtually maintenance free.

The AL-KO Airtop™ is available for Fiat, Ford and Peugot vehicles.

You can see the AL-KO Airtop™ on display on stand number 33 located in the grandstand at the Victorian Caravan and Camping Show.

New brake actuator fastest ever
Four years on from the successful release of the Sens-a-Brake trailer braking system in Australia, manufacturer Edge International Ltd has announced the release of the company's newest and fastest ever brake actuator.

Sens-a-Brake’s new MKV LT-1000 utilises the same air-over-hydraulic principal as earlier models, but with the addition of modern high-speed valve technology and enhanced software control, the actuators are now achieving full operating pressure in less than 0.29 seconds, almost halving the reaction time of the earlier model.

A high performance trailer braking actuator for heavier light trailers, the LT-1000's design permits this product to provide full hydraulic trailer braking pressure in a split second.

The LT-1000 requires no additional break-away controller of power supply, instead it utilises a fully integrated break-away design that minimises installation time and cost, while also eliminating any on-going maintenance. Simple 4 wire electrical installation uses the trailers 12 pin flat plug (Australasia), and just four bolts and one hydraulic line are required to complete the installation.

Sens-a-Brake's LT-1000 is designed to be operated with the Sens-a-BRAKE EVO electronic trailer brake controller which uses real time driver dynamics to create safe braking solutions. In addition to driving the LT-1000 actuator the controller is also designed to automatically recognise electric brake systems and will re-configure itself to become an electric brake controller.

The LT-1000 is suitable for both new trailer and retrofit installations and is supplied in an easy-to-install format with comprehensive operation and installation instructions.

For more information, visit the Sens-a-Brake website at http://www.sensabrake.com/