Over the weekend at the RV Show alot of customers asked me about why we didnt carry Titanium 5th Wheels any longer? Read this news article released yesterday and now you know why!
OAKVILLE, Ontario — Following a board of directors meeting held earlier today Glendale International Corp. made a decision to file a voluntary assignment in bankruptcy under the Canadian Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act.
The company’s recreational vehicle segment is comprised of two operating divisions: Glendale RV, located in Strathroy, Ontario; and Travelaire, located in Red Deer, Alberta.
All directors of the corporation have resigned and the corporation expects the official receiver to appoint Ernst & Young Inc. as trustee of the corporation’s estate.
“The recent economic downturn, the rising Canadian dollar and higher gas prices have had a devastating effect on the recreational vehicle industry in North America,” said Edward Hanna, chairman and CEO. “Over the past few months the corporation has undertaken an extensive internal review as well as engaged outside consultants to assist it in reviewing all available options and strategies which it could pursue to rebuild the recreational vehicle division, its primary business.
“However, given that there does not appear to be a significant rebound of the Canadian RV industry and the commercial structure business for the energy sector in the near term, the board of directors determined that a voluntary assignment in bankruptcy was in the best interests of the corporation’s stakeholders,” Hanna added.
SOURCE: Glendale International press release
Safford RV's Blog 
I have been following the history of Glendale RV since 1977.
Back in 1986 I had the opportunity to meet the original founder and owner of Glendale , Reginald Lever Thorn. Reg was a builder and at one point had 9 different manufacturing plants across Canada and an international operation in Australia. (This operation is still operating as Glendale Homes PTY. Limited, Australia)
Due to the rapid growth and expansion of Glendale through the 1960’s it all hit the wall in the early 70’s with the gasoline shortages and economic slowdown that hit North America. As a result Reg Thorn and Glendale had taken on too much and was on the brink of collapse. Morgan Firestone came along and bought Glendale @ 10 cents on the dollar and re-engineered a slimmer and more efficient company. The result was the sell off of all plants but the original complex @145 Queen St, Strathroy Ontario. The newly formed Firan Glendale Corporation focused on only RV production from this one factory. Glendale did a complete turnaround and became a leading force in the RV industry.
In the late 1980’s Glendale acquired Travelaire Industries in Alberta Canada, Barth Motor Coaches in the US and expanded it’s base in both Canada and the US. The motorhome plant in the US was short lived and closed in the late 1990’s . A Travelaire plant in Strathroy was closed as a result that it sat beside the Glendale RV plant in Strathroy. Production was moved to the Queen St. facility.
Over the years from the 1975 purchase of Glendale from Reg Thorn , Glendale has changed company names several times from the Glendale Corporation to Firan-Glendale Corporation then Firan Corporation, back to Glendale International etc. etc. Why? Restructuring, Amalgamations, etc. In 2003 Morgan Firestone stepped down as Chairman and sold his interests to the exisiting board because of health issues. The new Glendale International Corporation was a result of Morgan stepping down and the board taking control of the company.
This board was responsible for placing Glendale in to voluntary receivership. My guess is for personal gain and getting out as Glendale was debt free and cash rich. Rather then ride the out the slowdown as they have done numerous times in the past 60 years of their history, they decided to pull the plug. Very sad , as Glendale was one of Canada’s best manufacturers employing hundreds of people with a long standing list of loyal dealers throughout North America.
Reg Thorn and Morgan Firestone would be rolling in their graves to hear of all this news! Reg passed away in 2004 and Morgan in early 2009.
Ironically Glendale was to celebrate it’s 60th Anniversary in
2010!
Great information for our Glendale customer base!
Ironically over the past couple weeks at our shows people have asked if we still carried Glendale and were sad to hear we no longer had them and they were no longer producing product. They seem to have a very loyal customer base.
We do appreciate the information regarding Glendale.
ps….We are still servicing Glendale product lines in our service department for any that need assistance!
I live in Colorado and read with interest (evenso sad) the story above. Is SAFFORD RV still servicing Titanium Trailers? I bought a 2008 34E39QSSA and like it very much, it has been a very good trailer. It would be nice to know were some of the parts came from. i.e. Wheels, Tail Lights, Windows, etc. Appliances are pretty comon but some of the odd stuff comes from? This would help in getting parts if needed. (Somebody must be making this stuff) Could somebody please send me the phone number for Safford RV. Should I ever need a part, maybe they know were to get some parts and that sure would help.
Thanks,
Fritz Dammann
Yes Sir we still service Titanium products. You can reach us at 1-800-419-5990. You can also visit our site and order parts online at http://www.saffordrv.com thanks again!
I’m have problems with my Hot Water heater, no power to the control switches and I can not find a burnt fuse in the panel to the right the main door or to the right side of the front compartment.
Can I buy a service manual in paper copy or down load one?
Thanks
Wade Miller
Hinton, AB. Can.
Sir if you visit our website http://www.saffordrv.com and ask for parts they may be able to assist you. Hot Water heaters are 3rd party supliers so should be easy I would think!