Spotlight on Spartan Campers
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Campervan converter spotlight: Spartan Campers
We meet Spartan Campers, a Midlands-based campervan converter that has caught the eye after just a couple of years.
Who is Spartan Campers?
Spartan Campers is a relative newcomer to the campervan scene but, in less than two years, it has made its mark.
Every one of its conversions is handcrafted in the workshop at Spartan headquarters in Coventry. And each one is stylish and modern, but comes with a dash of retro charm.
It’s no surprise that the company has hit the ground running.
How did Spartan Campers get started?
While it has only been on the go since March 2022, founders, Gabriel O’Donoghue and Joe O’Leary, have years of experience between them… not to mention loads of passion and expertise.
The pair first crossed paths at a campervan conversion company, where they came up with the idea of working together on a brand-new venture.
With over 15 years of hands-on experience as the former head of production, Gabriel had honed his skills crafting conversion layouts. Joe had a long career in sales, marketing and management. Together, the duo drew up a 12-month plan – and had it executed within a few months!
Marketing Director, Stacey O’Leary, Joe’s wife, says,
Bound by a common vision, we embarked on a mission to redefine the industry's standards in design and construction. Our shared passion and meticulous attention to detail have manifested in customer satisfaction reviews, cementing Spartan Campers’ position in becoming a leader in the campervan realm.
Through our journey, we’ve not only crafted exceptional campervans but also established a brand that reflects our values, commitment, and a genuine love for the adventure that Spartan Campers represents.
What is Spartan Campers’ approach?
Spartan wants to be synonymous with innovation, quality and reliability and takes a customer-centric approach. And that extends to trying to open up the campervan lifestyle to a wider audience.
Stacey adds,
The brand continues to resonate as a beacon for those who value the open road and the stories that unfold along the way.
We are aiming this lifestyle towards working class people – not just high earners. We want everyone to be able to enjoy this lifestyle with or without children.
Advice for buying a campervan
What advice would Spartan give to someone thinking about buying a campervan – apart from buying a Spartan campervan, of course!
It’s vital, they say, that you conduct thorough due diligence on the companies you're considering buying from. Read the independent reviews and make an informed decision.
Stacey says,
To begin with, I would recommend contemplating the lifestyle associated with owning a campervan. Our customers consistently appreciate the honesty of our sales team, emphasising that we don’t merely sell campervans; we promote the unique lifestyle that comes with campervan ownership.
We take pride in addressing all enquiries transparently and encouraging prospective buyers to carefully consider their decision before making a commitment.
What should buyers look out for?
While Spartan campervans certainly boast eye-catching good looks, there’s a lot more to them than mere aesthetic appeal.
Stacey says,
When purchasing a campervan, it’s crucial to delve beyond its external appearance and understand the meticulous work that goes into its conversion.
For instance, ensuring the campervan is soundly insulated is paramount. Examining the seating and beds, verified by M1 crash tests, provides the assurance of safety in the unfortunate event of an accident.
Additionally, enquire about essential features such as a split charge system, battery, storage, gas certification, and a secure gas locker. Questions like how the campervan keeps you warm during colder nights and its off-grid capabilities are equally important.
How can you use your campervan?
The massive growth in popularity of campervans in the last couple of years has come with a new enthusiasm for people exploring the UK and reliving the holidays of their childhood, and this is a trend that Spartan has noticed.
Stacey says,
In recent years I feel that people have started to appreciate the amazing places and experiences that are available on our doorstep and want to be able to travel around the UK
Our customers have told us that being able to pack up, travel and escape at the drop of a hat is perfect, alongside the freedom of being able to find the perfect work/life balance.
One of the reasons Spartan’s designers are so closely in tune with their customers’ needs is that they are campervanners themselves, so they know first-hand what is important.
Our favourite place to go is the New Forest. The kids love nothing more than packing up their Elsa and Peppa Pig bags with all their own essentials for a holiday, tucking them in the campervan and off we go. To be honest they get excited with just the drive in the campervan!
We have been going to the New Forest for over 25 years, it brings back so many fond memories for me of growing up. My family always took us caravanning there and to be able to experience all the fun again, but with my kids, is just priceless.
I want them to carry these memories on just like I have. The stunning views, exploring the forest, catching sticklebacks in the stream, heading to Mudeford to go crabbing and then finally relaxing on the beach with some fish and chips!
Weird customer requests!
Of course, sometimes there’s just no predicting what customers will ask for – and, although Spartan likes to accommodate as many requests as possible, it’s not always practical to do so.
Stacey says,
We have had many weird and wonderful requests from customers,” says Stacey. “From extravagant colours like bright yellow and lime green to walk-in toilets and shower rooms. We do try and accommodate as many as possible, but, unfortunately we have to keep it practical.
Those conversations are crucial in the design process – comments and opinions from customers form a vital part of future model development.
The feedback we get back from customers has been the driving force for our third gen design. For example, the built-in wardrobe with clothing rail, and the cupboard we have redesigned so it can house a portable cassette toilet.
Spartan on the spot
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How do you stand out from the crowd?
We stand out by our dedication to customer satisfaction, our modern, functional and spacious conversion is designed and focused around real people. We listen, change and innovate our design from our own personal and customer experiences.
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How would you sum up the company’s ethos and values?
Our brand has an unwavering commitment to design beautifully handcrafted, functional, high quality and affordable campervans.
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What’s your best seller and why?
It's our custom built, two-tone campervans. We have over 200 custom colours and full interior design options to match the exterior. They look amazing, cool and modern but also add a pinch of nostalgia.
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Have you got any exciting new developments in the pipeline?
We have many new designs and developments in the pipeline, so keep your eyes peeled on our social media and our website.
Contacting Spartan Campers
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