Peterson Industries, Incorporated was formed in 1966 by Leonard and Blanch Peterson, and son Vaughn, in Smith Center, Kansas. The original purpose of the corporation was for the construction, sale and distribution of pickup campers manufactured under the Excel brand name.
In 1969 Peterson Industries brought the first production of travel trailers to Smith Center. The first one was shown and sold at the Denver RV Show that same year.
Throughout the next 10 years Peterson would continue to manufacture travel trailers and class C motorhomes until 1980. It was then that the first fifth wheel unit was built. Over the next 25 years Peterson Industries survived several company upsets, a huge fire in which they lost every thing but their framing plant, yet continued to rebuilt and prevail with new innovative ideas that kept them moving forward.
In the new millennium they began to see the need for more computerized manufacturing processes. With the use of (CAD) computer assisted design, the implementation of robotics in their Frame Plant and Cabinet Department, as well as continued expansion of their facilities, Peterson Industries continued to grow.
Excel has become one of the most respected names in the entire RV industry and the Peterson facility has continued to bring its customers a quality product with the best customer service while still keeping their costs under control.