Winnebago Closes Two Plants, Relocates Towable and B-Van Production

[creativepart]

Announced in Mid-August, Winnebago is closing AND selling the entire Towables factory in Middlebury, Indiana. They are moving towable production to the Grand Design campus, using some excess space there. And they are closing a B-Van factory in Lake Mills, Iowa and moving production to the main factory in Forest City, Iowa.

It will be interesting to see how this consolidation works out.

 

[Eagle5]

It sounds like this change will help improve overall build quality.

 

[klook]

Build quality does not come from closing plants or sites. It comes from redesigning the construction model, integrating new technology, and making someone accountable for poor workmanship and quality. You can't blame the workers or the foreman's at the previous plants when they were paid to just get er done. Send it as the workers said on the line. Let the dealers sort it out.

 

[RV_Lee]

Build quality does not come from closing plants or sites. It comes from redesigning the construction model, integrating new technology, and making someone accountable for poor workmanship and quality. You can't blame the workers or the foreman's at the previous plants when they were paid to just get er done. Send it as the workers said on the line. Let the dealers sort it out.

I listened to their investor call months ago, they knew sales would be dropping and they also had to debut new product that could be sold for less money (cheaper) yet still make a profit. A little while later they debuted that Thrive trailer and tiny Elora camper van. I'd be weary of those...

I wonder if they opened more lines during the covid boom and now this is just a "right sizing"

 

[klook]

That is a good way to look at it. But the post Covid used market is killing everyone that wants to sell one, new or used. And the reputation of problems from the factory and how they handle them has been circulated all around. YouTube is full of video's and influencers. I do know that manufacturing techniques are changing with technology. Downsizing and consolidating makes sense.

 

[cclennon2]

A bold move that will bring a new dynamic to both the Winnebago line as well as Grand Design. New technology and old fashion common sense is finally resurfacing under Mr. Clark’s leadership. His team of designers and craftsmen will bring back the level of quality and workmanship Winnebago earned years ago. I look forward to this new chapter and will be investing in one of the new Thrives’s as they show the market place that quality and pricing can be affordable. Thank you for taking Winnebago to the next level.

 

[klook]

So, what is your job title at Winnebago?

 

[cclennon2]

Just a proud owner of a 2023 2529RG, and ready to purchase the new Thrive 28FKD. But thank you for your comment.

 

[klook]

Your welcome, enjoy. But with what has been going on in the industry for quite a few years, I won't hold my breath that things will improve just because they say so.

 

[cclennon2]

Watch and learn. You might start believing that positive things can happen under genuine leadership.

 

[klook]

I am a little old to be scolded to watch and learn. I have been in the industry for 5 years now and owned campers for years. If people keep buying crap, they have no incentive to not build crap.

 

[cclennon2]

No intent to scold, just asking you to give them a chance. And you are right, about buying crap, maybe a reason sales started to drop after the COVID event. Thank you for you replies. Take care.