MBH's subsidiary Robinsons launches online caravan marketplace amid lockdown demand surge

A huge surge in demand for caravans has led to manufacturers scrambling to keep up, and inspired Robinsons Caravans to launch a new online marketplace to enable trade in second-hand vehicles. 

Robinsons Caravans, which is owned by MBH Corporation Plc (FRA:M8H, OTCMKTS:MBHCF), said it saw a 32% increase in orders in the second half of last year compared to the same period in 2019. 

With the lockdown driving demand and putting the brakes on manufacturers, Robinsons says the usual waiting time for a new caravan has doubled from eight weeks to 16, and it expects this to increase to up to 24 weeks.

As a result, it has launched cash4caravans.com, providing a service to value and buy people’s touring caravans.

Paul Seabridge, CEO of Robinsons, said: “The coronavirus crisis has resulted in a surge in demand for caravans as people are restricted from travelling overseas and can only holiday in the UK.  Even after we are through the worst of the crisis, many people – especially those aged over 50 – will be nervous about travelling abroad so we expect demand for caravans to remain high.

“Our new website caravans4cash.co.uk is a quick and simple resource for anyone looking to sell their caravan to service a huge, and growing, demand. We will pick up caravans after buying them and we’re confident of a swift re-sale given current market conditions.”

According to the National Caravan Council, the UK caravan industry contributes more than £6bn a year to the economy, with over 1mln leisure caravans in the UK.

Callum Laing, CEO of MBH Corporation plc said: “Paul Seabridge and the team at Robinsons have always been hugely pro-active and this initiative is the latest example of that. We saw the trend for holidaying in caravans strengthen over the summer and cash4caravans is an enormously helpful resource in ensuring that continues.”

Story by ProactiveInvestors