Caravan historian Andrew Jenkinson shares his history of caravan manufacturer ABI UK as it celebrates its 50 year anniversary.
Based in Beverley, ABI Leisure was formed in 1972 by the merging of two caravan manufacturers, Belmont Caravans and Ace Caravans.
Like many in the caravan industry, the company has endured the highs and lows of various economic problems over the last 50 years, but continues to be well-known in the UK and Europe.
In 1972, the UK’s main producer of tourers, motorhomes, holiday caravans and park homes was Caravans International (CI). CI was a global company and the biggest in leisure vehicle production.
“However, the market was changing and during this period there was a boom in caravanning, and caravan manufacturers were popping up, mainly around the Hull area,” explained Andy.
So how did ABI become a success from their Beverley-based production plant?
Rewind back to Hull in 1962, and a small company called Ace Caravans was founded by Terry Reed. He’d worked for expanding company Astral caravans. Together with joiner George Kemp, Ace Caravans was formed from a base in Clough Road, Hull.
“One of many new caravan companies being founded in the area, Ace hit success straight away, making touring caravans for the export market of that period,” said Andy. “Dutch buyers took virtually all Ace caravans manufactured, which saw Reed expand his company quickly. ”
Ace Caravan designs improved, making them some of the best mid-priced touring caravans on the market.
Also in Hull in 1963, another new caravan company was being formed – Belmont Caravans run by the Adams family – building a static caravan for the 1964 season. By 1965 Belmont’s range had increased and so had its sales.
“With the boom in caravan sales and Hull now a major producer of caravans, these businesses needed more factory space,” explained Andy. “In nearby Beverley, a new industrial estate was being established promising land for new factory builds.”
Belmont manufactured a number of popular models like the Malaga, Montego and Harvard, and were increasing its share in the static caravan market. Like Ace Caravans, they needed more space and also chose the new Swinemoor estate in Beverley.
Ace Caravans built a new factory too, and in 1969 entered into the static market with models such as the Chieftain and Emperor, costing around £550.
Both companies were successful in their sectors, and talks between both managements in 1972 ended with a merger.
Ace Belmont International was formed as the holding company, making them the second biggest UK manufacturer of caravans.
New designs such as the St Tropez “Villa” saw the company making strides in holiday caravan designs. By 1978 the company was known as ABI Caravans and had bought out Elddis caravans in 1973.
ABI stopped producing Ace static caravans in 1982 and ranges such as ABI Rio-Vista and Constellation were seen as value for money holiday homes.
“Although a downturn in the early 1980s saw previous market leader CI collapse, ABI produced new models to tempt buyers to keep sales moving,” said Andy. “The late ’80s and ’90s saw model ranges such as the Phoenix, Arizona and Montrose.”
ABI was a big business with 45 acres and its own plastics factory, formerly known as Ace Plastics. The company also bought Auto-Trail motorhomes and Vanroyce luxury touring caravans and became a public limited company. In 1997 the company hit problems and was bought out by an American investor and re-named ABI UK.
Its new owner Garry Klesch brought in model names such as Madison and Brisbane for static caravans, and for tourers, the Brooklyn and Manhattan.
“The motorhome side of the business was sold off, along with the Vanroyce name, to the Trigano Group and caravan storage land for building development,” explained Andy. “By 2001 touring caravan production stopped and popular model names sold to the Swift Group.”
ABI UK now only produces static caravans, holiday lodges and park homes. The company has a dedicated team of designers to develop new static caravans and lodges, firmly establishing itself as a top manufacturer of some of the most modern lodges in the UK and European market.
ABI also makes models for holiday parks under the park’s brand names and in some cases offers a different specification to its standard models.
“ABI has evolved and remained leaders in design, build and innovation in the lodge and holiday home market,” said Andy. “Names such the Harrogate, Beverley, Ingleton, Coworth and Ambleside are popular in ABI’s line up. Here’s to the next 50 years!”
For more information about ABI UK and their range of holiday caravans visit www.abiuk.co.uk
