Forest River, Inc. was founded in 1996 by Peter Liegl[3] after purchasing certain assets of Cobra Industries,[4] whereCEO Peter Liegl worked from 1985 to 1993.The company started by manufacturing tent campers,travel trailers, fifth wheels, and park models under the model lines Salem, Sierra, Sandpiper, Wildwood, Rockwood, Flagstaff, Summit, and Quailridge. Later that same year, they began producing cargo utility trailers as Cargo Mate.[5]
In 1998, Forest River Launched Forest River Marine and began producing pontoon boats.[6] That same year the company purchased certain assets of Firan Motorhomes to begin manufacturing class Amotorhomes.
In 2005, Forest River, Inc., was acquired byBerkshire Hathaway.[8][9] As the Wall Street Columnist Ben Cohen noted:
"Liegl came to him (Warren Buffett) with a price in mind: $800 million. So he did some basic diligence. The next day, Buffett made an offer. The next week, Liegl came to Omaha. They met for 20 minutes and shook hands on a deal."[1]
Forest River continued to expand with the acquisition of Rance Aluminum Fabrication and Priority One Financial Services in 2007.[10]
The following year, the company acquired assets of Coachmen RV, a subsidiary ofCoachmen Industries[11][12] and a manufacturer of class A motorhomes, class C motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, tent campers and sport utility trailers.
In 2011, Forest River acquired Dynamax Corporation,[13] which builds motorhomes (class C and super class C).
In January 2017, Forest River launched its new line of luxury buses, Berkshire Coach.[21] In June of the same year, Battisti Customs was acquired.[22]
In May 2020, Forest River acquired theREV Group shuttle bus brandsChampion, Federal Coach, World Trans, Krystal Coach,ElDorado, andGoshen Coach.[23] In 2020, they closed the Federal Coach, Goshen Coach, Krystal Coach, and World Trans brands soon after acquisition.
In 2022-2024 They shut down Battisti Customs, Berkshire Coach & Elkhart Coach bus brands.
In January 2024, Forest River acquired the school bus manufacturerCollins Bus from REV Group.[24] Later, the company acquired another school bus manufacturerTrans Tech.
Forest River Bus & Van acquired L.A. West Coaches in January 2025.[25]
In March 2025, co-CEO David Wright announced his retirement from Forest River, Inc., citing the recent passing of his longtime friend, mentor and Forest River founder, Pete Liegl.[26]
Forest River, Inc., though known best for its recreational vehicles, sells a wide variety of products including cargo trailers, buses, and pontoon boats. Below are the subsidiary brands of Forest River, Inc.:
