Thetford Corporation, a leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the recreational vehicle (RV), marine and heavy-duty truck industries, is introducing a variety of next-generation products for the RV market.

Shown for the first time at the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association's (RVIA) annual trade show in Louisville (Nov. 27-29), the new Thetford products include:

- An improved line of portable waste-water holding tanks,
- A unique waste-water holding-tank evacuation system,
- new non-formaldehyde Storage Tank Deodorant for RV holding tanks, and
- Additions to Thetford's Premium RV Care product line.

The company also featured at RVIA its Norcold 2117 PolarMax(TM) RF refrigerator, which was first introduced in 2006. The Norcold 2117 delivers 17-cubic-feet of storage space - the largest made-for-RV refrigerator available - and many residential features. Norcold, a Thetford subsidiary, is America's leading manufacturer of gas-absorption refrigerators and freezers for the RV markets.

"At Thetford, we're continually updating and improving our product lines to provide our customers with the most innovative products and technology available," said Jack Tierney, the company's president and CEO. "We expect 2007 to be one of the industry's best years in recent history and are looking forward to another strong sales year in 2008."

SmartTotes - Thetford's line of portable waste-water holding tanks - are now easier to empty and include the company's PermaStore(TM) Hose Handling & Stowage System for clean and easy hose handling and stowing. Ranging from 12 up to 35 gallons in capacity, SmartTotes are available in seven sizes and are up to 20 percent larger than competitive models.

In addition, Thetford showcased its recently acquired line of RV Sani-Con products at the RVIA trade show, the largest recreational vehicle trade event in North America.

RV Sani-Con systems quickly empty waste-water holding tanks without the need for plumbing modifications. Once installed, the unique "macerating" system can pump waste 20 feet uphill through a one-inch discharge hose. The heavy-duty hose stretches up to 21 feet and retracts to seven feet to minimize storage requirements. An adaptable nozzle fits snugly into a variety of dump stations and is equipped with a special cap to eliminate dripping.

In addition, Thetford presented Aqua-Kem's Storage Tank Deodorant for portable waste tanks and RV holding tanks. The first product of its kind, Storage Tank Deodorant uses a formaldehyde-free formula to control odors for up to six months, as well as lubricate seals and clean tank residue. Its formula is compatible with antifreeze and 100% biodegradable. Storage Tank Deodorant is available in a 24-oz. bottle and a convenient three-pack of 8-oz. bottles.

A new product in Thetford's Premium RV Care line, Mildew Stain Remover, was also shown. Mildew Stain Remover removes tough mildew and mold stains from all RV and marine surfaces, including awnings, canvas, carpet, rubber moldings and vinyl. The chlorine-free stain remover will be available in a 32-oz. spray bottle, and has been tested to be color-safe on all fabrics and materials.

Earlier this year, Thetford introduced an environmentally-friendly line of premium boat-care products under a new Thetford Marine brand name. Thetford is offering 12 products under its Marine Care banner, including UltraFoam(TM) Canvas Cleaner, UltraFoam Mildew Stain Remover and UltraFoam Non-Skid Deck Cleaner. Thetford Marine Care products will be available at retail outlets during the first quarter of 2008.

"New and improved products are the key to success in our highly competitive business," Tierney said. "We also continue to invest in lean manufacturing processes to improve quality and partially offset price increases due to material inflation and other significantly rising costs that our company and the RV industry have faced over the past several years."

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Thetford Corporation is the world's leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the recreational vehicle, marine and heavy-duty truck industries. Thetford is a privately-held company with more than 1,500 employees at eight manufacturing facilities in four countries.

Thetford subsidiaries include Norcold, America's leading manufacturer of gas-absorption refrigerators and freezers for the RV, marine and truck markets; Wilcox Crittenden, a manufacturer of specialized marine and industrial hardware; Tecma, a producer of fine-china toilets and powerful waste-transfer systems based in Italy, and Spinflo, a unit in England that manufactures high-quality cooking and heating appliances as well as accessories.