Exactly how the coronavirus pandemic will affect Elkhart County’s large RV industry is still unknown, and companies are keeping their cards close as the situation evolves.
This story by Rasmus Jorgensen originally appeared in the Elkhart Truth.
“THOR Industries and all of its subsidiaries are proactively taking steps to protect and support our global workforce and the communities where we live and work. To ensure that we are providing the most current guidance to our employees and communities, we constantly monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and other health organizations. In taking these actions, our priorities are to ensure the well-being of our colleagues and our communities,” THOR Industries said in a statement.
But the company would not say whether it will send workers home or how its supply chain is
affected. The same goes for THOR’s subsidiaries, which include Keystone RV, Jayco, Dutchmen and a dozen others.
Lippert Components said in a Facebook post this week that the company has no plans to change its production.
“LCI has NO PLANS to disrupt any manufacturing activities unless mandated by the local or federal government,” the post said. “Throughout these trying times, LCI leadership will be in constant contact with our customer partners and keeping them as up to speed as possible.”
Lippert Components would not give interviews.
RV Industry Association spokesperson Monika Geraci said keeping the industry open is important, especially since some governments are putting in orders for RVs to use as mobile units during the crisis.
“What the industry really is focusing on right now is working with state and federal governments to help in the crisis,” Geraci said. “It is important that the businesses are able to stay open, which obviously keeps businesses employed in Elkhart in particular.”
