Explorer Van Company
Explorer Van Company is a family-owned custom van conversion manufacturer that transforms Ford, GM, and Mercedes-Benz chassis into premium 7- to 11-passenger vans, serving active families and business professionals through 200+ U.S. dealers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersWarsaw, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Explorer Van Company does
Explorer Van Company is a family-owned custom conversion van manufacturer founded in November 1980 by Bob and Steve Kesler in Warsaw, Indiana. The company takes OEM chassis supplied by Ford (including Transit), GM (Chevrolet and GMC), and Mercedes-Benz (Sprinter) and converts them into premium, handcrafted passenger vans with seating configurations from 7 to 11 passengers. Approximately 90% of conversion components are produced in-house by a workforce of more than 100 craftsmen, over half of whom have 15+ years of tenure. Build-to-order delivery cycles run 14-21 days.
The company operates as an authorized upfitter for Ford and GM and holds bailment pool agreements with GMC (dating from 1987), Chevrolet, and Ford, giving it preferred access to chassis inventory. Finished vehicles are sold through 200+ dealers across the United States, with pricing not publicly disclosed. The customer base is composed primarily of active families and business professionals; celebrity associations (Kirk Cousins, Jay Cutler, Kevin Durant, Psy) function as marketing assets rather than revenue concentration. Ownership remains entirely with the Kesler family, with no disclosed external or private equity investors, and Steve Kesler serves as President.
Explorer Van Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Explorer Van Company
- Legal name
- Explorer Van Company
- Website
- https://explorervan.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Explorer Van Company is a family-owned custom van conversion manufacturer that transforms Ford, GM, and Mercedes-Benz chassis into premium 7- to 11-passenger vans, serving active families and business professionals through 200+ U.S. dealers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Explorer Van Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Conversion Van Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621)
- SIC
- Truck & Bus Bodies (3713), Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Chassis Cab Conversion & Vocational Body Integration (IMACAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Recreational Vehicle (RV) Bodies & Towables Manufacturing (IMACAGAJ)
Keywords
Where Explorer Van Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Warsaw
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Explorer Van Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Van Conversions: Custom-built conversion vans sold directly to consumers and through dealer network. Customers select chassis (Chevy/GMC, Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter), configure seating (7, 9, 11 passenger), roof height, and add premium options. One-time purchase model with base prices listed for models and various optional packages.
- Parts & Service: Replacement parts for conversion components including electronics (TV, Blu-ray Player). Many parts manufactured in-house and available through Parts Department. Service support with customer service personnel with 20+ years experience.
- Dealer Network: Supply of conversion vans to 200+ dealers nationwide through bailment pool agreements with major manufacturers
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Custom van pricing varies by model and configuration |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Explorer Van Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Explorer Van Company transforms world-class chassis from Chevrolet/GMC, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz into premium, handcrafted custom conversion vans. The company offers six core models across 7, 9, and 11-passenger configurations with options including premium leather interiors, custom entertainment systems, multiple roof heights, and luxury finishes. Production is centralized at the Warsaw, Indiana facility where 100+ craftsmen manufacture 90% of conversion parts in-house, with a standard 14-21 day build and delivery timeline.
Product overview
Explorer Van Company is a family-owned custom van conversion business that transforms world-class chassis from Ford, General Motors (Chevrolet/GMC), and Mercedes-Benz into premium, handcrafted conversion vans. The product portfolio consists of six core conversion van models offered across three chassis platforms: Chevy/GMC (7 and 9 passenger), Ford Transit (7, 9, and 11 passenger with various roof heights including Medium Roof), and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (7, 9, and 11 passenger in Low and High Roof configurations). Each conversion features premium materials including leather seating, custom interiors, entertainment systems, and luxury finishes. The company operates from Warsaw, Indiana and has been in business since 1980, holding authorized upfitter status for Ford and GM.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 7 Passenger Chevy/GMC Conversion Van
Quantifiable outcome
- 14-21 days build and delivery time for most custom orders
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Explorer Van Company
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Explorer Van Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Explorer Van Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- GMC (General Motors)coreBailment pool agreement allowing GMC to drop ship vans directly to Explorer plant, establishing a formal manufacturing partnership. Similar agreements followed with Chevrolet and Ford.
- Ford Motor CompanycoreBailment pool agreement similar to GMC, allowing Ford to supply chassis directly. Explorer is an authorized Ford upfitter.
- Chevrolet (General Motors)coreBailment pool agreement allowing direct chassis supply. Explorer is an authorized Chevrolet upfitter.
- Ken Behlmann / Behlmann GMC (St. Louis)minorEarly supporter and first major dealer. Ken Behlmann believed in Explorer Van Conversion from the beginning and was immediately enthusiastic. First Explorer Van sold within a week at this dealership.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Explorer Van Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Outside Van: Custom Sprinter and Ford Transit conversion van builder focused on adventure and lifestyle markets. Competes with Explorer in the custom van category but skews toward outdoor/adventure buyers rather than traditional families.
- Grech Motors: Luxury Sprinter van conversion company (Tour, Strada, RV models) competing head-to-head with Explorer in the premium passenger van segment, including celebrity and executive shuttle use cases. Direct overlap in target customer and chassis platform.
- Midwest Automotive Designs: Direct competitor building custom luxury Sprinter van conversions (Daycruiser, Roadtrek-adjacent). Operates in the same custom conversion van category on Mercedes Sprinter chassis, targeting family and lifestyle buyers with similar handcrafted interior value propositions.
- Storyteller Overland: Custom adventure van conversion company (MODE 4x4, BEYOND, CLASS B) built on Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit chassis. Competes directly with Explorer for the premium custom van buyer, though with an adventure/outdoor positioning.
Emerging players
- Advanced RV: Boutique custom Sprinter van conversion builder focused on high-end, made-to-order Class B motorhomes. Competes with Explorer's Sprinter line for the ultra-premium lifestyle buyer with extensive custom engineering.
- Pleasure-Way Industries: Canadian-built Class B motorhome manufacturer on Sprinter and Transit chassis. Smaller and more niche than Explorer but competes in the same premium custom van travel segment with comparable handcrafted interior emphasis.
Broad incumbents
- Airstream: Iconic premium RV manufacturer (parent Thor Industries) producing Interstate and Atlas Class B motorhomes on Mercedes Sprinter chassis. Overlaps with Explorer on Sprinter conversions for premium lifestyle and family travel use cases.
- Coachmen RV: Large RV manufacturer (Forest River subsidiary) with a legacy in van conversions going back to the 1970s when founder Bob Kesler worked there. Direct historical connection to Explorer's origin and current competition in the family Class B / conversion van segment.
- Winnebago: Major RV manufacturer with a Class B motorhome line (Travato, Revel, Solis) on Sprinter and Transit chassis. A broader incumbent in the same general 'custom van / Class B' category that competes with Explorer's premium positioning and dealer presence.
Others
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (upfitter program): Mercedes-Benz's official upfitter program for Sprinter chassis. Not a direct competitor but the OEM ecosystem that Explorer depends on; comparable context for understanding authorized upfitter economics, certification requirements, and chassis supply dynamics that govern Explorer's model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Explorer Van Company social profiles
Digital presenceExplorer Van Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Explorer Van Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Explorer Van Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Explorer Van Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Explorer Van Company
What does Explorer Van Company do?
Explorer Van Company transforms world-class chassis from Chevrolet/GMC, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz into premium, handcrafted custom conversion vans. The company offers six core models across 7, 9, and 11-passenger configurations with options including premium leather interiors, custom entertainment systems, multiple roof heights, and luxury finishes. Production is centralized at the Warsaw, Indiana facility where 100+ craftsmen manufacture 90% of conversion parts in-house, with a standard 14-21 day build and delivery timeline.
Is Explorer Van Company a public or private company?
Explorer Van Company is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Explorer Van Company founded?
Explorer Van Company was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Explorer Van Company based?
Explorer Van Company is headquartered in Warsaw, United States, in the North America region.
How does Explorer Van Company make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Van Conversions are the primary driver. The others are parts & Service and dealer Network.
Who are Explorer Van Company's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Outside Van, Grech Motors, Midwest Automotive Designs and Storyteller Overland. Emerging players are Advanced RV and Pleasure-Way Industries. Broad incumbents are Airstream, Coachmen RV and Winnebago. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (upfitter program) is listed as an others.
Does Explorer Van Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for Explorer Van Company.
What industry is Explorer Van Company in?
Explorer Van Company's product category is Custom Conversion Van Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAGAI, Chassis Cab Conversion & Vocational Body Integration, with a secondary code of IMACAGAJ, Recreational Vehicle (RV) Bodies & Towables Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 33621 and its SIC code is 3713.