Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that Northwood Manufacturing will locate its operations in an existing building in the Winchester Industrial Park. The company, a producer and manufacturer of travel and recreation vehicles, will invest $4.2 million to occupy a former travel trailer manufacturing facility. The company will employ 200 people at the production site. Virginia successfully competed with Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama for this investment.
"It has been a goal of my administration to foster tremendous growth in Virginia's business sector," said Governor Gilmore. "I am pleased that Northwood Manufacturing chose Virginia as the home of its first expansion into the East Coast market."
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission and the City of Winchester assisted Northwood Manufacturing with its decision.
Ron Nash, president of Northwood Manufacturing, started the company in 1993, after working in RV manufacturing for 25 years. His vision and leadership propelled the "Nash" travel trailer brand to become the number one selling travel trailer in the Northwest within three years. With the growing demand for Northwood Manufacturing products, the company considered it necessary to expand into the southern and eastern United States.
"We are very excited to be coming to Winchester. With the caliber of the workforce here, the quality of life in this rural area and the product we have, it should be a perfect marriage for us," said Northwood Manufacturing President Ron Nash. "We appreciate the way we have been accepted by the City of Winchester and the Commonwealth of Virginia."
"As a travel and recreation vehicle producer, Northwood Manufacturing will be an excellent complement to the Commonwealth's business sector as well as the travel and tourism industry," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal. "I am pleased to welcome Northwood to Virginia."