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Greg Gerber posted on May 02, 2008 08:35 
ONTARIO, Calif. – Motorhome and luxury fifth wheel manufacturer Alfa Leisure announced they have ceased operations as of April 30, according to a statement posted today on the company's website. The shutdown will impact about 150 employees.
“This is a sad day for Alfa Leisure and for the RV community” stated founder and CEO Johnnie Crean, “We gave this company our all, fought tooth and nail and in spite of a Herculean effort, could not overcome the financial headwinds that continue to plaque our industry.”
Known for RV designs that bucked most trends and tended to focus on the genuine enthusiast, Alfa had attracted a loyal following and was in the midst of a turnaround that under different circumstances might have produced far better results. Ongoing challenges with key supplier Crane Composites further exacerbated the situation.
“Alfa has been fighting an uphill battle and the final straw was certainly Crane’s unwillingness to stand behind their product” stated Crean. “We’d like to thank all of the owners and dealers who over the past thirty five years have been our catalyst and our inspiration.”
Crean went on to say that about 90 days ago, the company brought in a high powered new management team to try and save the firm, but it was too late. The Crane issue quite simply became insurmountable, Crean said.
There are currently no plans for additional operations and the company shutdown is just one of a growing number of RV manufacturers that have closed their doors. As housing values have dropped, many potential buyers have lost the equity in their homes they had in the past used to purchase big-ticket items.
News reports are just beginning to surface regarding Alfa Leisure's unwillingness to pay its creditors amid news that a key executive purchased an expensive home shortly before the closure was announed. RV Industry News will stay on top of the issue and present updates as they become available.
Friday, May 02, 2008 1:46 PM
In the late John Crean’s biography, “The Wheel and I,” the senior Crean clearly promoted putting the customers, the shareholders, the employees, and the product foremost in the minds of corporate management. This created great success and prosperity for both John Crean and for Fleetwood. It appears that his son, Johnnie Crean, is the polar opposite of his father. Websurfing turns up that a venture capital company, Nogales Investments, has infused millions into Alfa over the last few years. Still the product quality has steadily gone down. Now, the company is no more, the employees unemployed, the owners of Alfa products are without recourse. And where is Johnnie Crean? How can he be so bold as to blame the whole problem on one supplier? Where was management? When the millions were infused by Nogales, did the product get better? No. But at the same time Mr. Crean personally invested in trout fishing lodges in Oregon, drove Bentleys and Maybachs, and now I hear a house in Hawaii. Shame on you Mr. Crean – for abandoning so many and cavalierly blaming it on a single supplier.
Friday, May 02, 2008 5:09 PM
Why not go ahead and say that it is Johnnie Crean (the very scoundrel that is being quoted here) who bought the house in Hawaii?
Saturday, May 03, 2008 4:31 AM
As an unproud owner of an AlfaLeisure fifth wheel, it is not suprising to me they have closed. The quality and integrity of product and service must have been a contributing factor
Sunday, May 04, 2008 2:26 AM
I sold Alfa products in 04/05. Quality control was awful and our dealer had a terrible time collecting warranty money. I'm not a bit surprised at the demise of the company. As a sales person of that product and a fulltime RVer myself, I could have purchased a new Alfa for dealer cost. I am still in my 99 Fleetwood product. That should speak volumes about how my wife and I feel about Alfa products.
Monday, May 05, 2008 3:09 PM
JUST WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT YES, ONE SUPPLIER CAN BRING DOWN A COMPANY WHEN THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT THEY SELL. SHAME ON YOU FOR RESENTING JOHNNIE FOR ALL HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE. THEY HAVE LABORED A LIFETIME IN PROVIDING FOR MANY FAMILIES. I KNOW JOHNNIE HAS A HEAVY HEART IN LETTING SO MANY EMPLOYEES GO. HE KNOWS THE HARDSHIP THE CLOSING OF ALFA HAS UPON ALL OF THEM. I'M GLAD YOU WON'T BE AT MY JUDGMENT DAY, ONLY GOD HAS THAT PRIVLEDGE.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 7:08 AM
Just bought a 2004 See Ya does anybody know where I can get parts if needed in the future? I still love my Alfa and hate to see what happened.
Thursday, May 08, 2008 6:49 AM
Follow the Alfa Yahoo Chat room for detailed coach information. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/alfaseeya/
Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:49 PM
I for one am sad to see Alfa close. I am hoping that they can find a way to regroup and begin again. I own an 04 See Ya (not my first motor home) and like all new coaches, was plagued with minor problems. However, Alfa stood behind their product and took care of everything. I don't know of any motor home manufactured today that does not have qc issues. It happens in the auto industry daily. I love my Alfa.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:26 AM
I'm sorry and shocked to find out that the operations of ALFA have ceased. Being only a handfull of Canadians with a ALFA motorhome, I feel like I have been rode hard and put away wet when it comes to cease of the operation. I was actually going through a claim and had spoken with ALFA representative too begin the steps to make the repairs. The lack of information not told to it's members is very dispointing. Being a owner of a ALFA product ment to me the company had a responsibility to me as I had a responsibility to them. I don't know how many people visited our unit and actually went out to purchase their unit. As owners I know that I wanted to see this company be sucessful through the tough times and I think that our leadership was not prepared to do the things to keep the company going forward.
Monday, June 16, 2008 9:40 PM
We are so sorry to see this company close. we drive by the plant in Chino, California and saw there is just an empty lot---they were leveling the dirt. We couldn't believe it!!! We ordered a 1989 AlfaGold 5th Wheel. Got to see it being built,it was on the line the day we went for a walkthru of the plant. We had that unit for 18 years, just traded it in for an 05' motorhome. Didn't buy an Alfa. In 07' we traded that one in on a new motorhome, not an Alfa. Didn't care for the quality of the motorhomes. In 89' they sure built a Good Solid Unit. We were sorry to see the quality not be there thru the years. We feel bad for anyone who needs work done on their units--where will they go?
Friday, November 07, 2008 5:11 AM
I own a 2006 Alfa Founder. I have windows (4) that are leaking their inner gas, which allow moisture to enter and fog up and crystalize. I had the drivers window replaced 9 months ago. Does anyone know where to order the windows from since Alfa Liesure has gone out of business.
Friday, November 07, 2008 9:58 AM
We own a 2002 Alfa 40 foot. I love the motor home. As with others, we are sorry to see what has happened. I did find a place that does sell the parts. They are located about 7 miles from where the plant in Ontario was located. The will ship direct to you. The door latch on the underneath compartment broke on ours. They have many parts available and will fabricate parts if they do not have them. They also service the motor homes. The person to talk to in parts is Peter. The phone # is 909-428-6696. The main phone # is 909-428-6775. Hipe that this helps for all of the Alfa owners!
Monday, November 17, 2008 12:15 PM
I just called Peter and he is very helpful, I needed some hinges and they were in stock. What a blessing. Thank you for you posting.
Thursday, November 20, 2008 6:40 AM
We purchased a 2006 Alpha Gold 5th 38 foot 5th wheel. The first 6 months we owned it. it was in the shop for 4 months. The floor plan and storage is amazing. That is where the quality stops. After reattaching the cabinents and doors that fell off the wall, now it is the electric holding tank valves. I've replaced the gray water valve now it is the black water. The one thing I hate the most is the cabinets are all covered with contact paper - no wood! Closing down could not have happened to a better company. Without bad quality control and constuction there would be no quality at all.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 3:28 AM
I have an '04 Alfa. Three of the front side windows are oxidized (blue). Can anyone tell me where to purchase replacements? Thanks Ken Marks 910-620-5638
Saturday, January 10, 2009 9:30 AM
Well, hell, who would have known. I last talked to tom Lara and Juan about a delamination problem and they wanted to schedule for aug '08. I couldn't do it then; so, I just tried to send them a cd with pics of the problems. the curb side slide was short-sheeted on the rubber roof overlap, and water got in. duh!!!!!!!! I don't have a clue what they were thinking, as nearly all the water connections leaked, required repair, or I had to wrap with typhlon. I heard that they were going to Oregon, but can't find online proof of that. I love this coach, never doubted my selection, have had only one problem with the formadhyde photo/wood cabintry[they sent another] and I have been living in it since new in '05. too bad, not a very stylish exit. Bam, Sam
Friday, January 16, 2009 12:44 PM
I have a 03 Alfa 36rlet. As I drive down the road when raining the carpet gets wet in front of the refrig and couch.Where would I get slide seals for the repair? This is the big slide. Does anybody have any suggestions?kThank
Monday, January 19, 2009 6:57 PM
i own a 2004 alfa and my wife & i love it. we are the second owner. we had the opportunity to contact the original owner and they also loved the motorhome other than the size of the bed...they opted to sell this one and buy one with a king size bed ( $900,000)...yes we have had minor problems most of them i caused, but rving is a learning process. and feel maybe some of the discontent is from lack of knowledge. one thing that i have done is talk to every alfa owner so i can to see what problems they've had and what it took to fix them...i also joined an alfa club to see the new modifications etc...we stopped at an rv show and still feel we bought the right motorhome......seeya
Monday, January 26, 2009 11:27 AM
I need a drivers side wind shield for my alfa 2002 see ya and the sliding door system for the master bedroom or I should say the only bedroom. Will appericate any help I can get.THANKS
Sunday, February 01, 2009 7:09 AM
Need P moldings for my big slide in my alpha fifth wheel (36'). Any reply on where to get them and how to install.
Saturday, February 07, 2009 3:49 AM
Does anyone know where to get parts for an 03 alpha gold fifth wheel-- the thermostat has gone out and will not operate the heater???????
Sunday, February 08, 2009 7:01 PM
I had heard that the former employees had purchased the parts departments and could supply alfa owners with parts. Anyone else heard this?
Thursday, February 12, 2009 4:29 PM
I am needing a few parts for my 02 Alfa See Ya. Does anyone know of a website that has parts?
Tuesday, March 03, 2009 8:25 AM
For those of you who have quesitons regarding repair of your Alfa, we were one of those whose Alfa See Ya was caught in repairs when they shut their doors. Quality RV Service in Fontana helped us tremendously and went above and beyond getting us back up and working. The last I heard, the main guy that you used to talk to when you called the Alfa plant went to work with Quality. You might check with them. They should be able to at least direct you to where you can get parts. Quality RV Service Center 909-854-6630
Monday, March 09, 2009 9:35 AM
hi i am thinking about purchasing a new 2009 alfa founder 1009 (36.7') for 125,000.00??? is this a good deal or are they garbage motorhomes?? anybody??
Monday, March 23, 2009 11:20 AM
where could i find a floor plan for a 2006 alpha gold 5th wheel
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 12:52 PM
HELP...... i bought a 2006 See Ya...the paint is peeling off the sides of the motorhome the size of confetti heads, is anyone else having this problem? what are people doing when they are having problems...which are supposed to be under guarantee...has a lawsuit been started against them in regards to whom is going to fix our problems? being a canadian I'm really having a hard time to get any info. any info in regards to this matter would be appreciated.
Monday, May 04, 2009 4:45 PM
to karen the peeling on your motorhome may possible be jel coat blistering where there is water in the fiberglass from the manufaturer which is a defect which will work its way out by poping out not sure how to make it stop was told it will stop when the water has all worked its way out. if anyone has more info let us know if any legal action is being taken please advise so we may proceed also .
Wednesday, May 06, 2009 9:42 AM
ANYONE LOOKING FOR RV WINDSHIELDS OR SIDE WINDOWS PLEASE CONTACT ME AT 909 381-2616 OR ONLINE AT WWW.IMPORTGLASSCORP.COM. I HAVE A LOT OF WINDSHIELDS IN STOCK AND ALL SIDE WINDOWS ARE CUSTOM.
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