Winnebago Industries announced last week the consolidation of its manufacturing footprint as part of strategic actions to optimize its operations. The move will impact Winnebago employees in Indiana and Iowa, with total layoff totals yet to be determined.
In an announcement Thursday, Winnebago reported it is making targeted manufacturing adjustments across two of its RV brands. The Winnebago brand's towable RV production operations will relocate to a nearby production campus where Grand Design RV products are currently manufactured in Middlebury, Ind., providing access to a modern manufacturing environment and available capacity to support future growth. In addition, the Grand Design RV business will also pursue select line consolidation within its manufacturing footprint.
Separately, the Winnebago motorhome business will relocate production of its B-Van product line from Lake Mills, Iowa, to its primary manufacturing facility in Forest City, Iowa, bringing key manufacturing functions together in a single complex and strengthening coordination across the business, the company says. Both the Winnebago Towables campus in Middlebury, Ind., and the Winnebago Motorhome facility in Lake Mills, Iowa, will be closed and offered for sale at a later date.
The Middlebury relocation is expected to impact more than 275 employees but layoffs are anticipated to be in the single digits. The number of employees impacted by the Lake Mills closure is currently unknown. Winnebago also will close its specialty manufacturing facility in Forest City on Nov. 30. That move will impact 27 employees per a WARN notice issued last week.
"Winnebago Industries is focused on building a stronger and more agile enterprise for the future," says Michael Happe, president and CEO of Winnebago Industries. "These actions reflect our commitment to thoughtfully managing our manufacturing footprint, leveraging the strengths of our portfolio and deploying resources where they can create the greatest value. By taking proactive steps today, we are strengthening our ability to serve customers, support dealers and drive long-term growth across our brands."
The company emphasized that Winnebago Towables and Grand Design will remain distinct businesses. Each brand will continue to maintain its own leadership team, product development, sales, dealers and product portfolio. No product lines are being discontinued as a result of these actions, the company says.
