| THE FRONT BOOT
FRANKLIN ’ S OWN FACTORY
ONE OF AUSTRALIA ’ S BEST-KNOWN CARAVAN NAMES NOW HAS A ‘ HOME ’ OF ITS OWN .
Franklin Caravans now officially has its own factory , following a special launch in late July . Franklin caravans are built by the same company that manufacturers Concept and Newlands vans . But with this household brand experiencing significant growth , with even more expected , the decision was made to separate the brands . Frank McGuire , Victorian parliamentary secretary for small business and innovation , officially cut the ribbon on the Franklin factory on July 28 , though the 2400sqm factory had been in operation since the start of this year . The factory project received grants from the Victorian and federal governments , as well
30 gorv . com . au as Ford – with Ford shutting the doors of its plant in Broadmeadows , Vic , the grant by Ford was part of a program in which the company assists with local jobs , manufacturing and innovation . The Franklin brand was one of the biggest names in caravanning in the 1970s . It was given new life by Queensland caravan dealer Kratzmann Caravans more than 13 years ago , with Concept Caravans tasked with building these vans for Kratzmann . “ In that time , Kratzmanns sold over 1000 units ,” Franklin Caravans ’ Keir Smith , who is also the co-founder of Concept Caravans , told GoRV . But , about four years ago
and with the assistance of Kratzmann Caravans , Concept ’ s co-founders , Keir , Bruno and Steve Caruso – also the owners of Franklin – took the historic brand national . Now , with seven Franklin dealers around Australia , each in regional centres rather than major metropolitan areas , “ we ’ ve been able to grow and realise this new factory ”.