Apr 17, 2019 / News

Business Consulting / Retail

Passing on the family business to the next generation

Jayco Adelaide is one of two retailers of Jayco Caravans in South Australia but has established itself as the sixth largest Jayco dealer in Australia and New Zealand. A family run business for 40 years, 2019 brought with it an opportunity for the next generation to put their stamp on the business.

Formerly known as Australian Caravan Co (ACC), Jayco Adelaide was founded in 1978 and grew under the guidance of Wayne and Kay Rohde. In 1990, ACC began a successful partnership with Jayco, providing ACC with the opportunity to offer Australia’s most popular Recreational Vehicle (RV) range.  It proved to be a shrewd move, as the business grew from strength to strength. 

In 2019, the business enters a new era on several fronts – a new family generation has taken the reins, with CEO Matt Slee taking over, while a delicate re-brand has also been undertaken. 

As of January 14, ACC begun trading as Jayco Adelaide. 

With 13 years of experience under his belt, CEO Matt Slee has taken over the business alongside his wife and now Director Michelle, and her sister and Director Leanne Dercho, both daughters of Wayne and Kay Rohde, who retired in the mid-2000s. 

Slee explains how re-branding a family owned business must respect its history, but at the same time, it must be versatile and adaptable to survive.

“The decision to align our dealership to the Jayco brand was a very logical one. The Jayco value proposition is conclusive, it further strengthens our network.

“Nearly one in two of all RV’s in Australia is a Jayco and this gives us significant buying power for our components.

“As manufacturer, Jayco Australia provides a long list of added benefits to our customers and that’s why Jayco RV’s are rated number one for value”

“They are Australia’s most recognised brand for quality and affordable recreational vehicles, it made sense.”

Slee highlights the instrumental role Nexia Edwards Marshall has played in ensuring a smooth transition and handover.

“It can take a few years to adequately plan and structure a handover. Lack of preparation may cost a considerable sum or even put the ongoing ownership of a business at risk. 

“It took a lot of hard work, but we got there. A smooth transition could not have been possible without Nexia Edwards Marshall.

“Nexia Edwards Marshall ensured we were prepared for the handover through careful succession planning on how best to manage and facilitate the transition.

“Jayco Adelaide is more than a job, and more than a business. Nexia Edwards Marshall understands that. It’s a partnership we can truly rely on. The team has made an invaluable difference through this transitional period.”

Years of service to the RV community has earned Jayco Adelaide a reputation for quality, value for money and ensuring customers get the most from their RV experience. 

Slee said the challenge now was to leverage the benefit of the new well recognised brand and maintain the same local reputation. 

“We work on the philosophy of people, process and product because if you get those right, you should succeed.

“Close to one third of our new sales come from existing customers who are looking to trade up to a new Jayco model which shows just how important customer satisfaction is to us.

“This comes back to our family values and how we instill these in our business. Good people are a key characteristic of Jayco Adelaide which has various long-term employees.”

Looking ahead, Jayco Adelaide is excited for what the future holds.

“We are a proud South Australian family company with further growth strategies planned in the not too distant future.”

Matt Slee
Chief Executive Officer 
Jayco Adelaide