EDITOR’S NOTE: In addition to introducing several new and updated products at a press conference (see video above) at the 2022 Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, officials with Thetford Corp. announced the company was celebrating its 50th anniversary of its European operations this year.

It all started in the United States in the early 1960’s, when Frank Sargent invented the camping toilet, the basis of the world-known Porta Potti. As a portable toilet specialist, Thetford landed in Europe 50 years ago. The European headquarters have been the Etten-Leur location since 1973, which became the global headquarters at the end of 2021. Etten-Leur is also home to Thetford’s European Distribution Center, as well as the production facility for refrigerators, cassette toilets, service doors and toilet- and maintenance additives.

By introducing the cassette toilet in the late 1980’s, Thetford further established itself as the sanitation specialist in the RV and camping market, becoming the undisputed market leader in mobile toilets, cassette toilets and toilet additives. Recently, Thetford introduced iNDUS, its smart sanitation system, as the future generation sanitation system. Supported by several OEM’s, Thetford entered the RV refrigeration market, starting production of absorption fridges in 2002. With an extensive range of N4000 absorption refrigerators and T2000 compressor refrigerators, Thetford can be called market leader in this segment today as well. By acquiring the UK based Spinflo factory in 2006, Thetford further expanded its RV share by starting to produce cooking appliances. started to produce cooking appliances, further widening its RV share.

By continuously developing new products, Thetford expanded its position in the worldwide RV and camping market. Thetford Europe also grew by expanding borders. The first office and warehouse in Australia was opened in 2006, followed by a sales office and warehouse in China in 2013. In both areas, Thetford now is represented by strong local teams. By acquiring the Italian company Tecma in 2004, Thetford also became a serious player the Marine market. Meanwhile, Thetford Marine is a grownup business unit conquering the worldwide marine business with Tecma macerating toilets, Thetford Porta Potties, and additives, as well as Norcold refrigerators.

Stéphane Cordeille, CEO of Thetford: “Our main way to drive our growth is by focusing on our customers and work every day on our customer relationship. Yes, we show product leadership as well, but we always tend to develop products in cooperation with our customers. With several OEM’s we have been co-developing throughout the years, but also with end-users we search for interaction, both live on shows as digitally. Our Thetford Friends initiative includes meanwhile about 30.000 end-users who are very much willing to share their ideas and feedback with us.”

In the recent supply chain challenges, Thetford once more showed its strong customer focus. By switching to a primarily focus on meeting the demand, and pulling the break on several new product developments, Thetford received a lot of appreciation being a good supplier in difficult times.

“Thetford is a committed supplier. Continuing to invest in our beautiful RV and camping industry is our No. 1 priority,” Cordeille said.

The improved version of Thetford Aqua Rinse Spray is a very efficient and effective toilet bowl spray that is essential for the toilet in your motorhome, caravan, or tent.

“We developed the spray for toilets that are connected to the vehicle’s central water tank, in which you cannot apply a flush water additive, like Aqua Rinse Concentrated. However, the spray is perfect for toilets that have a flush water tank as well,” said Norbert van Noesel, Marketing Manager at Thetford. “Thetford’s Aqua Rinse Concentrated and Aqua Rinse Spray reinforce each other’s effects. Where Aqua Rinse Concentrated focuses on preventing limescale build-up in the flush water tank and a fresh, effective flush, Aqua Rinse Spray excels in an even smoother flush, being effective at preventing skid marks, whilst saving water.”

With its Thetford Friends community, Thetford has a strong connection to end-users and end-user needs. By request of several spare tank owners, Thetford developed the Cassette Carry Bag. Next to this, future users of iNDUS, Thetford’s smart sanitation system, might also want to have a mobile holding tank on board, to create maximum flexibility. This tank can be stored in the Cassette Carry Bag as well.

Thetford offers a high-quality cassette protection bag, for protection, easy storage, and discrete carrying. The bag is fully in line with the earlier introduced Porta Potti Carry Bag and prevents scratches or damage to the tank during transport. There is no longer need to store your spare cassette tank in the original carton box. The Carry Bag is made of strong PVC material, contains a solid zipper for effortless opening and closing, and features two strong carry handles. The interior material has a glaze finish for easy cleaning, and the bags are washable up to 40 degrees, without shrinking.

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