Download our brochure, technical specifications or current pricelist

Jim Hibbs (Managing Director) - What I’ve Learned …

May 21, 2008

In the Summer 2008 edition of The Business (the magazine produced by the NCC for its members) the following interview with Rob Ganley appeared. Rob asked Jim many questions including “If I wasn’t in the industry now?” and “What’s my motto?” To see the answers to these and many more, please read on.

click image to enlarge

Jim Hibbs and George Kemp, both formerly directors of ABI, formed Coachman in 1986. The Explorer Group acquired the successful Hull-based tourer manufacturer in 1997, then Jim and the management team bought it back in 2001. Today Coachman builds more tourers than ever before – 1850 this year – and is still growing, having spent over £3,500,000 on improving and extending the production facilities over the last three years. Jim is also chairman of the touring caravan division of the NCC. He grew up in West Bromwich and still supports the Baggies.

My first job in the industry was as Group Financial Controller of ABI Caravans Ltd in Beverley. How did I start there? In 1971 there were two companies: Ace Caravans and Belmont Caravans. I was a chartered accountant working on the merger of the two companies. They became Ace Belmont International (ABI). I joined ABI as Group Financial Controller, then became Group Financial Director in 1975.

The caravan industry is an exciting one. When you think that 95% of the caravans sold here are made in the UK, that’s a unique success story for British manufacturing.

In 1972 I moved to Hull – and they have just about accepted me now. It takes a while to earn the respect of the Yorkshire men. My first wife is a Yorkshire lass – she came from Bradford. My children were born here too.

If I wasn’t in the industry now, I’d probably be an accountant in a private practice and earning a lot more money. I’m a numbers man originally but I class myself as a caravan man now.

The most important attribute in the workplace is quality. A quality emphasis in manufacturing, administration, marketing and sales is crucial. Our company size is a lot smaller than Swift or Bailey, so we have to focus on the quality of our products and after care.

Setting up Coachman with George Kemp is what I’m most proud of. We started from a greenfield site, in an empty factory. No fence, no telephone, nothing. Nobody else in our touring caravan industry has set up a greenfield business in the last 25 years and survived.

What’s my motto? Winston Churchill once said “Never give in – never, never, never, never.” That’s stuck with me.

Being an accountant, I think I can beat the bookies, so I go to horse race meetings with my wife. She’s better than me at backing winners. Working for yourself, you are on call 24/7 and at the races is the only time I don’t think about caravans. I’d love to retire and go to a Yorkshire racecourse to watch a horse I’d bought winning.

The most famous person I’ve ever met is Princess Anne. In the early 80s she came to Beverley Racecourse to open a caravan exhibition, and I was on one of the stands. She was very pleasant, put you at ease, very chatty and personable.

The person I most admire would have to be Margaret Thatcher. I admire her tenacity and toughness. She made us feel proud to be British again.

My second wife runs the sales office at Coachman. My first wife is the purchasing director and my first wife’s husband works in aftersales. It’s quite a mix and some people think I’m barmy!

If I had to be stuck in a lift with someone, I’d like to say Charlie Dimmock. But my wife says I have to choose the law makers that work for the European Commission that load businesses with red tape.

My most memorable holiday was in Las Vegas. I’ve been several times and I’m going there this year too. We always spend a fortune but I love it.

I’m from the Black Country and Union leader ‘Red Robbo’ Robinson of Austin Rover was my biggest influence. I wasn’t going to let the likes of him shut down all the British manufacturing industries.

I’ve got two children in their 30s, but I wish I could have spent more time with them in their teenage years. I had to make the tough decision whether to put the food on the table, or spend more time with them. If I had spent more time with them Coachman would probably have gone bust.

Where will our industry be in 10 years? I see it being driven by the grey pound and warmer climate, with a touring caravan market of 40,000 units. It will continue to consolidate into fewer but larger manufacturers with very professional management. Just 30 years ago there were more than 70 caravan manufacturers in Hull. All that mattered back then was the ability to build caravans because demand meant sales for cash was the order of the day.

Download the NCC Magazine Article (pdf, 127.1 KB)

« back to news index