The UK based Airstream & Company team will be welcoming two new team members as well as appointing Pete Bull as the Southern Depot manager and shifting the firm’s focus as popularity grows.

The recent surge in the popularity of European specification Airstreams has meant that a different approach is called for in the UK market. In order to meet demand for new trailers, the production of the European range will now be completed at Airstream Inc.’s American headquarters, in Jackson Centre, Ohio.

This is because the US headquarters have the facilities necessary to turn around a new trailer in a much shorter time. It leaves the UK base to concentrate on sales and offering better service and repairs facilities. The lead time on new caravans will remain between four and 10 weeks, depending on the model.

The Cumbrian headquarters for Airstream will welcome Dave Hughes and Christian Rengers to its team. This facility has a 25,000 square foot showroom and service centre, plus storage for caravans and boats.

The other new team member is Pete Bull, who will be managing the Southern depot in Andoversford, Gloucestershire.

Pete Bull is a fully qualified service engineer with experience working on the UKAirstreamers forum, so he has a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience. He has also been living full-time in an Airstream International 684 with his wife for six years, so he really knows the ins-and-outs of Airstreams.

As well as the iconic ‘silver bullet’ Airstreams, the UK depots are dealers for T@B teardrops and Eriba touring caravans (Tebay only).

There will also be a shake-up of the European set-up, with the distribution of the European range moving from Cumbria to the German dealer Roka Werk in mainland Europe. Bases have already been established in Germany and Italy.

Technical director Anthony Slocock has been promoted to cover the European region, explaining the changes as coming from a better knowledge of the product and market. “The potential for growth in Europe is very exciting. We’re looking to appoint sub-dealers in Northern Ireland and Scotland as well as establishing a wider European network.”

It will be the job of Armin Heun and his team at Roka Werk to expand the network into France, Scandinavia and Benelux. There is also potential for expansion elsewhere in Europe.

Still not sure you want an Airstream? This Easter weekend, 18-21 April 2014, the Tebay site is holding an open weekend with the showroom open from 10am until 4pm Friday to Monday inclusive. There will be a range of unfinished vans fresh from the US, complete Airstreams that are ready for the road and pre-owned vans which you can look around.

You can also explore the options to create your own dream van and choose the specifications you would have in your Airstream. Or look at the T@B and Eriba alternatives with new models including the Touring, Feeling and Nova S ranges.

There are also a number of companies and caravan sites that have Airstreams available to rent, so that you can try out the layout and specifications to see what would suit your holiday needs best.

Practical Caravan’s Clare Kelly tried out an Airstream 604 at Holgates Silverdale just south of the Lake District. “It’s a stunning caravan that you can’t fail to notice, with plenty of touches aimed specifically at the British market.”