US Lighting Group Inc. in Euclid, Ohio — a holding company for three manufacturers of "futuristic technologies" — has shipped its first Cortes Camper travel trailer.
Cortes Campers, a subsidiary of US Lighting Group, is scheduled to ship its second 17-foot camper in the first week of March with a goal of shipping 20 campers per week by the beginning of the fourth quarter, the company said in a statement.
The US Lighting Group unit is responding to rising RV demand during the Covid pandemic.
Wholesale shipments of travel trailers rose 42% to 423,775 units in 2021, according to the RV Industry Association.
The first Cortes Camper trailer was shipped to a recreational vehicle dealership in Idaho.
"This first Cortes Camper shipment represents the culmination of a year's research and development, planning, and a great deal of hard work to ramp up production over the last several quarters," said Anthony Corpora, CEO and president of the Euclid company, in his company's statement.
"We believe we are now in position to accelerate Cortes Campers deliveries through the end of the year and well beyond," Corpora said.
Part of what makes Cortes Campers futuristic is they are built out of molded, marine-grade fiberglass and use a Timbren axle-less independent suspension system, unlike most RVs, US Lighting Group said.
The campers also have features such as full kitchens, wet baths and built-in Furrion appliances that typically are considered upgrades in the RV industry.
"We are offering a highly attractive product at a competitive price and dealers are sharing this view," Corpora said.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price on the 17-foot camper is $48,500, said Patricia Salaciak, director of marketing for the holding company and its subsidiaries.
The camper company also is developing a 25-foot, double-axle travel trailer, according to its website.
Two other US Lighting Group subsidiaries are developing personal watercraft and speedboats, as well as houses, made from molded fiberglass.
Founded in 1981, the company's roots are in LED lighting and vehicle electronics.
Its shares, which trade over the counter (OTC: USLG) closed unchanged Tuesday at 8 cents a share.
