By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The travel scape has changed a lot of the past 40 years: technology, COVID, and social media. In four decades of business in Great Bend, Harper Camperland has seen it all. The company recently hosted a Great Bend Chamber ribbon cutting to celebrate 40 years. General Manager Mat Breit said the company is still going strong.
"We're the largest service center between Kansas City and Denver," he said. "We're at eight full-service bays. The only thing we don't do is work on engine or chassis on motor homes, or fiberglass-class work. Everything else RV-related, we can take care of here."
Harper currently employs 28 people, and Breit said the large facility at the 10th Street and 281 Bypass intersection in Great Bend has between 80-120 RVs in stock heading into the spring season. Last September, the employee-owned business was purchased by Blue Compass RV, which now has 108 locations across the United States.
"We'll probably be rebranded by the end of this year," said Breit. "They're a great company. They're definitely in line with the previous owner's ideals, so it's been a real good transition for us."
Breit has been with Harper for 15 years, and he's seen many changes in that time. One of the biggest came with the onset of the COVID pandemic. There may have been a new urge to get out of the house and travel, but social distancing made typical accommodations more difficult. Many people turned to RVs.
"It did bring a lot of people to the industry that never would have given it a chance before," Breit said. "It has brought some people into it that have really enjoyed, and have actually traded and gotten something that fits more of their needs since then because COVID brought them into the industry."
Technology has also changed the RV industry. Campers used to have hand-cranked awnings that can now be utilized with the press of a button. Bluetooth has enabled control of slideouts, sound systems, and jacks, all from a phone.
"When I first came in, the old tube TVs were still what they had to use," said Breit. "With the evolution of the flatscreen TVs, that's allowed for some different floorplan options because you don't have to allow as much room for where a TV goes. When I first got into it, it was very rare to have a satellite on an RV. Now, a lot of people are buying little portable satellite dishes to take down the road with them."
Social media has also been a game changer. Everyone likes to post photos of their vacation. Harper is happy to help. "I would say a big social media craze right now is traveling or getting out and about outdoors," said Breit. "That has really helped boost business, and that is one thing that's definitely changed. And the way people are shopping now, our website and the internet is probably one of the most powerful sales tools right now."
Purchasing an RV is just like buying a car. Sort of. Harper does offer financing, but getting the RV home takes a little bit longer.
"We have to put it through a pre-delivery inspection," Breit said. "That takes a couple of days, so it's not really a drive-in, drive-out, same-day kind of deal. We get the RV ready, clean it up, and set up a day for you to come back. We take you through and show you how to use and operate everything - give a real good red carpet experience."
Breit calls Harper a good place to work, and several employees have already surpassed their 10 and 20-year milestones with the company. Then there's employee No. 1: Gordon Zahnter. The jack of all trades has been with the company all 40 years, working as a tech, service manager, PDI manager, and now serving as the sales lot manager.
Harper Camperland is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit hclrv.com to learn more about what the company offers.