Redefining the RV Industry
Way Interglobal is a leading supplier of appliances, electronics, and furnishings for the RV industry. Headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, Way has designed, developed, and delivered high-quality products alongside top RV manufacturers and dealers, served as a key distributor to best-in-class partners including Merline, LG, and Naxa, and has manufactured and sold its own top-line products. Throughout the company’s growth trajectory, Way Interglobal has been a go-to innovator for RV owners and outdoor enthusiasts looking to take their home on the road.
In December 2022, Lippert Components, Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Furrion LLC, acquired a majority of business assets of Way Interglobal, including Way’s Everchill and Greystone brands, in order to strengthen Lippert’s robust Furrion line of RV appliances and electronics. The acquisition does not include Way’s current power generator assets and operations.
Over our 3-year partnership with Way Interglobal and its CEO, Wayne Kaylor, we’ve been impressed by the team’s exponential growth—but far from surprised. The biggest element that initially attracted us to Way Interglobal was the company’s unparalleled ability to develop and deliver innovative products, and provide service to the OEM market that the larger OE suppliers just couldn’t match.
Let’s take a look back at a few of the key milestones in Way’s journey to successful growth since our investment in June 2019.
Modern, state-of-the art RV appliances and technology demand more—more power, precision, versatility and capacity. Way Interglobal’s products checked each box, but the brand itself didn’t reflect it. Right of the gate, it was important to elevate the identity to one synonymous with the innovation and quality that Way already provided.
The rebrand included new logos for its existing product lines and two new brands, Haven and Elite, and a new brand platform. A new website was also launched, which featured a refreshed catalog, an enhanced user experience, and increased content, better serving its key audiences.
Supercharging talent with Way Interglobal was crucial in keeping pace with its major growth. We guided Way in the creation of the Vice President of R&D and Product Development role and helped hire additional talent to oversee Way’s day-to-day operations, from order entry, warehouse and logistics, to delivery and billing.
Even with supply chain challenges due to COVID-19, the rapid success of Way Interglobal caused them to quickly outgrow their original headquarters. In June 2021, the team broke ground on a 816,000 square foot warehouse in Elkhart, IL, in order to combine operations all under one roof.
In addition to expanding product lines, we’ve helped guide Way Interglobal through pressing issues revolving around recruitment and hiring key talent. In October 2021, Way added to its growing team, hiring a Direct-to-Consumer Marketing Director and an Aftermarket Coordinator to bolster its e-commerce program.
While Way’s Everchill, Greystone, Drive, Elite, and Haven brands already had strong penetration with original equipment manufacturers (OEM), these new hires helped expand direct sales and relationships with RV owners and aftermarket consumers.
More steady growth enabled Way Interglobal to bring on more key talent, filling the roles of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Director of Human Resources. Through these hires, Way was able to better assess its financial strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in the market, and build upon its employee relations, staffing needs, and training programs.
Way Interglobal deepened its roots in Elkhart County with the grand opening of its new headquarters in October 2022. The new space allowed Way to consolidate SKUs from other warehouse locations, create a 6,000 square foot showroom, build on its company culture with its employees, and ramp up research and development efforts.