In just four years Heartland is now #3 in 5th wheels and closing in fast on being among the top 5 towable manufacturers of 5th wheels and travel trailers combined.   For a number of years, the founders of Heartland had worked together in the RV industry for other manufacturers. During those years, they developed camaraderie and discovered each of them had a different, yet complimentary, area of expertise. Amongst themselves, they had the head of engineering, head of sales and a head of marketing and advertising. After more than a decade of working together, they discovered a shared confidence that they could build, market and sell recreational vehicles as well or better than many of the companies that they had experienced first hand. In 2006, Heartland broke ground on a new 110,000 sq. ft. production facility with a new corporate office structure attached. By spring of 2006, Heartland had moved into the Top Ten 5th wheel manufacturers, and by the end of 2006, we were solidly in the #8 spot with eyes toward #5. With newly expanded production facilities, Heartland was once again poised for growth and launched the BIG COUNTRY 5th wheel  In 2007 Catterton Partners, a Connecticut-based firm that focuses on consumer businesses made a major investment in Heartland RV. The firm's other investments are in companies such as Breyers Yogurt Co., Build-A-Bear Workshop, Kettle Foods and the P.F. Chang's China Bistro restaurant chain. This is Catterton's first venture into the RV industry. "Heartland is a leader in towables, the most attractive segment of the RV industry," Catterton managing partner Scott Dahnke said in a statement. "The company's growth has been driven by a loyal group of satisfied consumers and dealers."