The Trillium Saga Continues

[mzuzel]

It appears that Sterling RV (AKA Great West Vans), latest manufacturer of the US version of the Trillium trailer (not to be confused with the Canadian Outback), is officially defunct:

May 14, 2016

Looks like some bare Trillium chassis are among the items up for bid.

Will Tom Young or someone else be able to raise Trillium from the ashes yet again?

[Donna D.]

I wonder who has the molds?

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by mzuzel

It appears that Sterling RV (AKA Great West Vans), latest manufacturer of the US version of the Trillium trailer (not to be confused with the Canadian Outback), is officially defunct:

May 14, 2016

Looks like some bare Trillium chassis are among the items up for bid.

Will Tom Young or someone else be able to raise Trillium from the ashes yet again?

Hi: mzuzel... I noticed the lack of molds in the liquidation pic's of assets from Sterling RV. You'd need them or a Judas trailer to work from.
If someone raises the trill from the ashes it could be called a "Phoenix".
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Trill136]

Too bad, I realize that there are lots of reasons for companies to "go under", or go out of business. But, still makes me sad when it happens. Specially the smaller ones.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I wonder who has the molds?

Isn't that a mold sitting between two roughed-out top shells in the background of one of the chassis photos (the photo showing blue ConQuest boxes mounted on the wall)? If so, if one mold is still there, then the others are also likely still there, and all molds will then likely be sold in the auction. But that's just a guess.... Dale

[Jack L]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Isn't that a mold sitting between two roughed-out top shells in the background of one of the chassis photos (the photo showing blue ConQuest boxes mounted on the wall)? If so, if one mold is still there, then the others are also likely still there, and all molds will then likely be sold in the auction. But that's just a guess.... Dale

Yes indeed ! Good eyes War Eagle.

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Isn't that a mold sitting between two roughed-out top shells in the background of one of the chassis photos (the photo showing blue ConQuest boxes mounted on the wall)? If so, if one mold is still there, then the others are also likely still there, and all molds will then likely be sold in the auction. But that's just a guess.... Dale

Hi: War Eagle... You're right. My wife said I need glasses... but I thought that was because we don't see eye to eye!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Jim Bennett]

Maybe Joe Thoen from Trillium Outback can buy them back.

[Donna D.]

Man, I need new glasses!

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Maybe Joe Thoen from Trillium Outback can buy them back.

Hi: Jim Bennett... Maybe Tom Y. will be at the sale with his cheque book flapping in the wind!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: Jim Bennett... Maybe Tom Y. will be at the sale with his cheque book flapping in the wind!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

I am losing track. Would this be the fourth or fifth (re)start for him.

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I am losing track. Would this be the fourth or fifth (re)start for him.

Hi: Jim Bennett... I don't count!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Scamper Jim]

Somebody, tell me that the fine white dust covering half that shop, tools and inventory is not fiberglass dust! If it is, it doesn’t take much to imagine that OSHA paid them a visit very recently and the report was shall we say, not good. Even if some of that is sawdust, still not good. I wouldn’t attend that auction without a respirator and body suit.

[JasonE]

What's the value of those molds?

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by JasonE

What's the value of those molds?

Pretty much what someone is willing to pay. It would also depend on the shape they are in too.

They have the two sizes up for auction. Not only is there the cost of the moulds, but shipping can be pricey too, depending on how far you need to take them.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Maybe Joe Thoen from Trillium Outback can buy them back.

Wouldn't that would be a great ending to what has been a real bad partnership in biz experience for him!

But I suspect he doesnt really want or need the molds as he already has them... just wants the rights to the use of the use of Trillium name (in the US) back.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Wouldn't that would be a great ending to what has been a real bad partnership in biz experience for him!

But I suspect he doesnt really want or need the molds as he already has them... just wants the rights to the use of the use of Trillium name (in the US) back.

I bet he would like the 4500 moulds. I would bet the right to the name does not go with the moulds though.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I bet he would like the 4500 moulds. I would bet the right to the name does not go with the moulds though.

True, but I wonder if he does not already have one hidden away in the back 40 ... but then again Sterling did reintroduce the larger trailer so it may be a whole new mould (note none US spelling :-)).

As Sterling at this point owns the right to the name, it will most likely go with the company BUT Sterlings main focus was van conversations not small trailers so who ever buys the remnants of Sterling may have little or no interesting in retaining the rights to the Trillium name or moulds and be willing to sell separately.

Clearly the decision to split Trillium up between Canada and the US did not work well for either party.... more poorly for the US side of the operation for sure - pretty well from day one.

Suspect we will just have to wait and see how this plays out.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Scamper Jim

Somebody, tell me that the fine white dust covering half that shop, tools and inventory is not fiberglass dust! If it is, it doesn’t take much to imagine that OSHA paid them a visit very recently and the report was shall we say, not good. Even if some of that is sawdust, still not good. I wouldn’t attend that auction without a respirator and body suit.

Was not the case at all. Sterling moved the operations from Canada to avoid high labour & operating costs.... they opened the operation in the south with great fan far! BUT they then got into some labour/personal issues that got a lot of bad press......... owners claimed on the companies FB page that they feared for their lives and ran back to Canada leaving the doors to the plant closed......

There is a thread here somewhere from a year or more ago that details the whole Sterling mess and their public statements on it. Sterling BTW also went by the name Great West Vans.

[Roy in TO]

Originally Posted by Carol H

True, but I wonder if he does not already have one hidden away in the back 40 ...
<text deleted>
Suspect we will just have to wait and see how this plays out.

Tom sent me an email today updating me on the situation. I won't post all of it, but will post select segments. Tom's words are in blue.

Great West Vans: All their inventory and tools in Alabama was auctioned off, including Trillium molds.
The auctioneer can't tell me who the successful bidder was. (Confidentiality)
So, sometime someone may surface if they decide to build 13' & 15' trailers.
They will NOT be able use Trillium, as GWV did not get the brand name.
...I will continue to sell the small Trillium parts as noted on the website.
I had hoped to get the T-Molding back to ship to vintage owners, but that inventory has "disappeared".

He did mention he personally kept the last 4500 he built in Arizona under the Trillium name. His family will debate selling it towards the end of summer.

Hopefully this will clear up some of the mystery and postulation.