Country Coach bought by private company
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Country Coach: Jay Howard, President & CEO; Bob Lee, Founder & Chairman Emeritus

Country Coach bought by private company

February 16, 2007, Junction City, Oregon - Country Coach, Inc., a highline diesel motorcoach builder celebrating its 34th year of luxury motorcoach manufacturing excellence, announced today the signing of a binding definitive agreement for the acquisition of the Company led by Riley Investment Partners. The transaction is expected to close early next week.

"We are pleased to share some exciting news with our coach owners, business partners and fellow employees," said Country Coach President and CEO Jay Howard. "The purchase of our company by a highly successful investment management company allows us to focus on what we do best. Our mission remains to design and build the highest quality, most innovative motorcoaches in the marketplace. Simply put, we will continue to produce The World's Finest Motorcoaches."

Adding to the day's news, the Company heralded the return of Company Founder and RV Industry patriarch Bob Lee to the Country Coach Family. In his role of Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Lee will provide valuable counsel to the Country Coach management team. "My heart has always been, and will always be with Country Coach," said Bob Lee from the Company's headquarters in Junction City, Oregon, where he is busy moving into his new office. "I am pleased to be back home where I began in 1973. We can once again focus solely on the business of making beautiful luxury motorcoaches for our many RV'ing friends. Country Coach has a solid management team, wonderful long-term employees, and a great business plan. With our newfound operational independence, there is nothing we can't achieve."

Riley Investment Partners Principal Bryant Riley added, "When we evaluated the RV industry and its management, we looked for two things: quality management and the highest quality products. With this investment, we have accomplished that goal in spades, and look forward to continuing to build on the company's well deserved reputation as the builder of the world's finest motorcoaches." Riley continued, "Additionally, we are very pleased that the Company President and CEO Jay Howard, Founder and Chairman Emeritus Bob Lee, and Sales Senior Vice President Jim Howard are all making financial investments in the Company, further demonstrating their belief and commitment to the future of Country Coach. "

Mark Andersen, Chief Financial Officer for Country Coach, highlighted the positive impact the Company's new independence will have on future development. "Country Coach will be able to reinvest its profits in the business, creating the opportunity to make the Company even more effective and competitive."

Company President & CEO Jay Howard continued to emphasize a "focused" approach to Country Coach's future. "In a challenging marketplace, where many companies have suffered, Country Coach has just completed its 14th consecutive profitable quarter." Mr. Howard observed. "We have done so by concentrating on the luxury market, listening to our customers, and taking the time to do it right. Bob Lee has directed us towards building each motorcoach like it was for our own Mother. We intend to spend all of our time making him proud of our Company and our motorcoaches."

Jim Howard, Senior Vice President of Sales & Service for Country Coach, is enthusiastic about the Company's ability to be a leader in innovation. "Our dealer partners provide us with constant and valuable input on the kind of features we should provide to help them be successful. This refreshed and independent Country Coach will be able to respond more quickly and accurately than ever before to market demands, helping our dedicated business partners to grow their businesses in tandem with ours."

This newly private Company has big plans for 2007. Country Coach will next be in Jekyll Island, Georgia in March for their East Coast Class Reunion Rally. This event will be followed immediately by the Family Motor Coach Association convention in Perry, Georgia, where the Company will mark the public debut of its new Rhapsody 900 luxury coach, in addition to other innovations in luxury and craftsmanship.

No matter where the Company may be presenting new products, Country Coach's doors are open at its Headquarters for factory tours nearly any time of the year. "For people who want to see the difference, there's nothing better than a visit to Junction City," commented Bob Lee. "The coffee's always on. Come see us, and let us show you what it takes to call a motorcoach a Country Coach."

Country Coach currently employs over 1,700 men and women manufacturing highline motorcoaches in lengths ranging from 34 to 45 feet. These 102-inch wide-body diesel pusher engine luxury coaches include the Tribute 260, Inspire 360, Allure 400 Series, Intrigue 530, Magna 630, Affinity 700 Custom, Rhapsody 900 and Country Coach Prevost Conversion.

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Readers comments:
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Deadhorse :   I'm afraid that this is just blowing smoke. I have a motorhome with a Workhorse engine/chassis. With only 15,800 miles on the engine, the crankshaft broke. This was a well-treated, well maintained engine. The point of separation on the crankshaft showed evidence of a defect in the metal. My cost to repair - $12,864.45. I pleaded with Workhorse for some help. Their response was, sure this shouldn't have happened, but while well under the 36000 miles, your engine was 4 months over the 3 year limit, tough luck. A "customer service advocate to the RV industry", ""providing additional peace of mind to the motor home owner", hardly. All marketing talk. If you own a Workhorse chassis, just hope you never need any help.

happy owner :   The customer service dept. is great I got all the work done that I wanted and in a very friendly atmosphere.

Poorer Rich :   I am disappointed in customer service. I will never buy another Country Coach.

L. S. Payne :   Well there goes Country Coach . . . As a business owner, we have been through several 'investment company' takeovers and there is always cost cuts, poorer service, more administrative costs, etc . . . Sorry to hear that Country Coach is heading down the tube too.

Sandy Farrar :   Wondering if Country Coach has or will have a Time Share program like Monaco does. Seems it would help those who cannot afford to out right buy a luxury class A.

Lennich :   I think this is a start for Country Coach AT BEST, at the worst, it is the same old thing revisited.. The motorcoach industry needs to back up and take a new look at itself. It is a mess. Class A's cost too much, construction is shoddy etc.

Tom H :   I met Bob Lee at a RV show once. I'm glad he found the money to get his company back. I wish I had the money to buy one of his coaches.

Ken Rosman :   I think this is a great development for Country Coach. Jay Howard was groomed to take over at Country Coach and he's done a very good job. Now he has his old boss back again. I listened to Bob Lee at a rally in Eugene Oregon a few years ago and he was very impressive. He did a no holds barred discussion with the audience and he really gave a big picture of things going on in the industry.

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