John Tuyo: Championing The Park Model RV Market

When Champion Homes’ Director of Sales John Tuyo started his role two years ago, he brought his passion for park models into the RV industry.

Champion Homes, a subsidiary of Skyline Champion Corporation, builds a wide variety of manufactured and modular homes, accessory dwelling units, park model RVs, and modular buildings for the single-family, multi-family, and hospitality sectors. Although not all of Champion Homes’ 48 plants focus on park models, each one is capable of manufacturing them. Currently, 16 of Champion Homes’ plants focus on building park model RVs. The company is based in Troy, MI.

“Since 1993, I've worked in manufactured housing— which now, for the last two and a half years, has expanded to include park model RVs,” John says. 

“I know a lot of folks in the RV and manufactured housing industries. Champion Homes is a strong company, and the previous individual in my role was retiring,” he explains. “So, the company asked me to take on the role. I travel a lot between our 16 plants that build park models today.”

Originally from Wyandotte, MI, John graduated from the University of Louisville. He now lives in Oklahoma with his family, who often accompany him in his outdoor pursuits. “I’ve been blessed with four children and a wonderful wife,” he says. “And I’m an avid outdoorsman. My golf time and my hunting time are extremely valuable because my kids still enjoy them with me. I also camp— I grew up camping. That was our vacation when I was young. So, camping's in my blood, and I enjoy being part of the park model industry. It's a spectacular business.” 

As Director of Sales for Champion Homes, John’s responsibilities center on ensuring that the company’s products (as well as their quality and innovativeness) are prepared for the marketplace. He manages Champion Homes’ individual sales teams across its 16 park model RV plants. Additionally, he oversees pricing strategies to ensure the company can sustain its current performance.  

“We own about 20% of all of the park model business, and we want to continue our growth— even in a tough market,” John says. “We also want to develop products that are great for the end user and great for our plants, from a production standpoint. So, I balance production logistics with market conditions. We want to make sure that, when we decide to build something, that it will be successful from both angles.”

Additionally, John’s responsibilities encompass two other crucial areas: “I also focus on the development of floor plans, and the development of additional points of purchase for our units across the country— whether it be a new community, a revamped community, or a build-out of an existing community. All of that's under my umbrella.”

Going forward, Champion Homes continues to prioritize its growth as a company, largely through an emphasis on innovation. “We're doing very well right now and continuing to drive park model business and keeping our name number one in the industry from a unit standpoint and volume standpoint,” he says.

He commends Champion Homes’ design team, which provides color palettes for each region of the United States. “We have a wonderful design team in North Carolina that helps me with Eastern colors, Florida colors, Northwestern colors, and Western colors. It's a big bucket, and it's an exciting business.”

John attributes part of Champion Homes’ success to its emphasis on innovation. “We have a great team at Champion. When I dream up something, I write it down— whether it's the middle of the night or the middle of the day. Then, I call one of our designers, and we talk about the application. To me, it’s exciting to come up with a new idea that we haven't seen prior,” he explains. “There's a lot of information online, which is helpful. You can research and try to figure out how to implement some really neat features into the park model industry.” Examples of Champion Homes’ innovative products include triple porches, monoslope roofs, and more.

Champion Homes strives to develop new products in time for them to be seen and embraced by a wider audience. “About twice a year, we try to come out with new products, especially for all the shows that we're involved with,” John says. 

He adds that attending RV shows is a highlight of his role. “I love going to the shows and talking to attendees! I like seeing the marketplace’s excitement for the RV industry. The park model segment of the RV industry has continued to grow and develop innovative product designs that people never thought would happen 15 years ago— but it's happening today, and that's exciting. So, the future looks bright.” 

Along with his responsibilities for Champion Homes, John is also involved with the RV Industry Association. “Being a part of the Association has been a strong addition to my years in the business,” he says. 

One of John’s primary avenues for involvement is his membership on the RV Industry Association’s Park Model Committee. “Going to Park Model Committee meetings is extremely important to me. It’s an opportunity learn what others are seeing out in the marketplace.”

John also participates in Association events— he has attended RVs Move America Week for the last three years. “I enjoy talking to the Senators and Representatives of all of our states and being part of the RV Industry Association in Washington D.C.— and throughout the year,” he reflects.

John also prioritizes Champion Homes’ careful compliance with building code standards—  including the ones established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which have been adopted by the RV Industry Association’s Board of Directors for the construction of RVs and Park Model RVs. “We make sure we follow the ANSI 119.5 building code for Park Model RVs across all of our 16 plants. And, if we have an issue, whether it's local or statewide, we make sure we bring it to the attention of the RV Industry Association team. The RV Industry Association team is willing to support us and to share the park model message, and it’s important to be a part of that every day. We know they’re always there to assist us.”

John also recognizes the RV Industry Association’s role in strengthening industry unity. “Across the RV sector, we all want to make sure that we're singing from the same sheet of music, and the RV Industry Association helps us achieve that. I’m involved as much as possible with the Association and with Champion Homes— I always want to make sure that the greater good is what we're doing for the RV industry as an industry, not just as Champion.”