ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Thetford Corporation, a leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products to the worldwide recreational vehicle (RV), marine and heavy-duty truck industries, introduced four new products for the European market at the recent Dusseldorf Caravan Salon in Germany.
One of Europe's largest RV shows, the annual Dusseldorf show attracted 500 exhibitors representing vehicle builders, RV suppliers and the tourism industry. Thetford products on display at the show included:
-- A new line of contemporary kitchen stoves -- Continental Range;
-- A new and improved Cassette Toilet -- the C-250;
-- A unique caravan door for improved occupant safety, and
-- A frameless, space-saving refrigerator door.
"We were thrilled to showcase so many exciting new products at this year's event," said Jack Tierney, Thetford's president and CEO. "These products will strengthen Thetford's reputation as a leader in new and innovative products and technology for the RV market."
The company's all-new line of Continental Range stoves are made by Spinflo, a Thetford company in England that manufactures high-quality cooking and heating appliances. The Continental Range includes a Basic Line of cooking appliances for the mid-market segment and a Top Line of stoves for the luxury market.
"Spinflo's new line of cooking appliances offers a contemporary and functional design, allowing for an optimal use of space and convenient clean- up," Tierney noted. "The functionality of the Continental Range will appeal to a wide variety of customers."
Thetford, known as the inventor of the world-famous Porta Potti(TM), also displayed its new C-250 cassette toilet, a successor to the C-200 -- Thetford's permanent, swivel-bowl toilet for caravans and motor homes. The C- 250 has a modern design and several new features, including improved seating comfort, a user-friendly control panel and a portable waste-holding tank with built-in wheels and pull-out handle.
The C-250 also comes with several options, including an electric valve blade, an automatic ventilator and a unique pump-out system for waste products.
In addition, Thetford introduced a new line of entrance doors for RVs at the Dusseldorf show (August 24-September 2). The Thetford Caravan Door is designed to increase vehicle and occupant safety. Special features include a durable design, a unique three-point lock, a fixed window with double-glazing and a large, ergonomic handle.
Another Thetford product introduced at the show was a new space-saving frameless refrigerator door. The door is designed for Thetford's Deluxe and Premium LCD lines of absorption refrigerators.
"What makes this door so unique is that it is a curved door with no visible frame," Tierney noted. "The refrigerator has a stylish, modern look that would fit nicely in any kitchen."
The introduction of new products and technology during slow market periods requires a long-term commitment to the industry, according to Tierney.
"We are committed to continue our leadership position by bringing innovation and value to the industry," he said. "Thetford invests more than six percent of its annual revenues in Europe and North America in product development. We also continue to invest in lean-manufacturing processes to improve quality and partially offset the significant inflation the company and industry have seen over the past few years."
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Thetford Corporation is the world's leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the recreational vehicle, marine and heavy-duty truck industries. Thetford is a privately-held company with more than 1,500 employees at eight manufacturing facilities in four countries.
Thetford subsidiaries include Norcold, America's leading manufacturer of gas-absorption refrigerators and freezers for the RV, marine and truck markets; Wilcox Crittenden, a manufacturer of specialized marine and industrial hardware; Tecma, a producer of fine-china toilets and powerful waste-transfer systems based in Italy, and Spinflo, a unit in England that manufactures high-quality cooking and heating appliances as well as accessories.
More information is available on the Internet at www.thetford.com.