Northstar Conversions sees an increase in orders for campervans

The boom in demand for campervans has seen Isle of Wight-based Northstar Conversions enjoy a boost in orders

Northstar is a family-owned business, consisting of 20 people, that specialises in Japanese imports.

Like many other converters during the coronavirus pandemic, in the face of rising costs of materials and staffing issues caused by self-isolation measures, Northstar had concerns about the future.

However, with many people choosing to staycation rather than head abroad for travel, Northstar has seen a huge increase in its workload as more and more people choose to buy a campervan to suit their travel and leisure needs.

Specialising in the conversion of Japanese import vans such as the Toyota Alphard, Nissan Elgrand and Mazda Bongo, Northstar offers an affordable alternative to the VW campervan market.

Northstar believes that “campervans have undergone a resurgence in popularity”, and its range of Japanese import vehicles is “proving especially popular due to their ability to be used as daily drivers as well as a home from home.

Directors, Adam Coombe and Carol Besré-Coombe, said,

With a large factory on the Isle of Wight, Northstar manufactures almost all the main components used in its conversions on site using local craftsmen.

Northstar has also recently increased the number of local people it employs, as the company expects the demand for its campervan conversions to continue to rise into the foreseeable future.

Adam added, “We’re so proud of our workforce and what we’ve all been able to achieve over the past 18 months, despite it sometimes seeming like the world was against us.

"Despite being tested by the pandemic, we have definitely come out the other side stronger than ever.”