SCAMP FACTORY FIRE

[Ed McMeans]

http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_013222910.html

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Fire Destroys Scamp Trailer Manufacturing Plant</span>

Backus, Minn. A fire destroyed the Scamp Trailers manufacturing plant in Backus, Minn. Friday night.

Fire crews from several neighboring towns were called in to help fight the fire, which started around 6 p.m.

Fire crews had to pump water from a nearby lake to help fight the fire.

read the entire article...

[Gina D.]

oh my stars..

this is horrible.

[Gina D.]

Ed, I moved this here to get more exposure.

Thanks for posting it.

[Gina D.]

(WCCO) Backus, Minn. A fire destroyed the Scamp Trailers manufacturing plant in Backus, Minn. Friday night.

Fire crews from several neighboring towns were called in to help fight the fire, which started around 6 p.m.

Fire crews had to pump water from a nearby lake to help fight the fire.

Mayor Cloie Smith said the fire started after an explosion, but there is no official word on what caused the fire. She said the plant appears to be a complete loss.

There were no reports of injuries. Most of the employees had already gone home by the time the fire started.

This is the slow time of year, so production during this time is typically reduced to just the daytime hours. Most of the year, employees work around the clock, manufacturing the trailers.

Smith estimates the plant employs about 130 people. The town of Backus has only about 300 residents.

Backus is in Cass County, about 170 miles northwest of the Twin Cities.

[Mike Watters]

This is some seriously bad news.

It's a story we're going to want to keep an eye on, but there aren't a lot of possible outcomes of this event. They're either gonna bag it, rebuild and continue business as usual (especially if the original molds are OK), or they rebuild and redesign at the same time.

It's good to hear that no one appears to have been hurt though. Silver-linings...

Mike

[Mike Watters]

Also occurs to me:

Is there an address (email or otherwise) where people could sent letters of condolences and support?

mkw

[Gina D.]

I would suspect that thier email is still quite functional, unless on the offhand chance they had an on site server.

I also suspect they are going to be very busy in the upcoming weeks.

Byron is a lucky man, he just got delivery of one of the last from there. I wonder how many were after his?

[Mike Watters]

I would expect their email was functioning too - but I don't see any on the www site. Just a phone number. Even if the line is still open - clogging it with phone calls to express sympathy might not be the best.

Mike

[jdtrotter]

How awful! But the good news is that the article says no one was injured. Sure hope they have good insurance and are able to be up and running soon.

Diane

[Benita]

Its horrible news. I'm glad no one was harmed. I hope the company can come back stronger.
I hope that the Scamp molds are OK. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't get some assistance from Casita. Business is business but people are who they are. I just think the folks at Casita know how to figure out ways to be good businessmen and good people at the same time.

Me and my fantasies: Maybe Scamp will buy the Burro molds from those folks in California who couldn't get it together? Who knows now that absolutely everything is being restarted, we may see those curved Euro cabinets and a 19ft dual axle model come forth?

If I were dilly-dallying about deciding on a new US trailer, Scamp or Casita, I'd get my Casita order in ASAP. In a very short time, the wait list will get much longer.

Those 5th wheel FGRVs are going to be much harder to come by for a long while.

I didn't realize that 50% of the town of Backus worked for Scamp.

[Dan Quinn]

what a real shame for all those out of work and the loss of all the molds..

but can you imagin what this is going to do to to the prices of used market till they get back up and running..

[Gina D.]

It will probably be a boost for the New Trillium, but he doesn't sound like the kind of guy that likes to have picked up business via a tragedy.

The town losing all that economy is a bigger tragedy. We can always find trailers, and if not.. life will not crumble. Jobs in small town USA is another problem.

Competition benefits everyone. I hope they can get back up soon.

[Benita]

but can you imagin what this is going to do to to the prices of used market till they get back up and running..

I think used, spare and replacement parts is where the hurt will be felt most. The source for the parent and all the derivatives has been eradicated. Bolers, Love Bugs, Ecos, Acorns, Perris Pacers and lots of others, including vintage Scamp owners, used Scamp as a source for new replacement parts.

[Gina D.]

What are the molds made of? Could they have survived for the most part?

[jdtrotter]

The town losing all that economy is a bigger tragedy. We can always find trailers, and if not.. life will not crumble. Jobs in small town USA is another problem.

Diane

[Byron Kinnaman]

I would suspect that thier email is still quite functional, unless on the offhand chance they had an on site server.

Scamp doesn't have and never has had email.

Byron is a lucky man, he just got delivery of one of the last from there. I wonder how many were after his?

Ya, I wonder the same thing.

I've got mine in an RV shop at the moment doing some "warranty" work.

[Dan Quinn]

What are the molds made of? Could they have survived for the most part?

no they could not survive they are made out of wood & fiberglass they would have burned.but the more important part is to keep that town afloat...

[Curtis F.]

So sad.
I should have visited them last week, instead of delaying my trip up there to the first week of February. Any one close enough to get some detailed information and pictures?

Wow. I hope they were fully covered by insurance.

Does anyone know if they made the shells on site or if they had them trucked to the factory.

It would be a tremendous loss to the industry if they are not able to resume business.

That is a major bummer. I so hope they had insurance coverage and are able to rebuild.


Curtis

[Gina D.]

they are made out of wood & fiberglass they would have burned.

*toast*

sheez... sad

Scamp doesn't have and never has had email.

Might be a good opportunity for them to step into the 90s...

[Per Walthinsen]

This must be devastating for the employees and owners. I am anxious to hear what the insurance situation is. It is probably too optimistic to expect that the molds were off site, but that would probably jump-start the rebuilding.

I just hope that the leadership rises to the occasion and manages to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear situation. It may be an opportunity for rethinking the design and make it even better. But for now the town must be in bad shape, with a lot of families wondering what will happen next. Very sad.