The Winnebago Industries Board of Directors announced it will be officially relocating its corporate headquarters from Forest City, Iowa, to Eden Prairie, Minn., effective Dec. 1. The company’s executive offices have been in Minnesota since 2016. There is no planned job loss as a result of the headquarters transition and this action has no physical implication on any manufacturing assets.
“Winnebago Industries has transformed into a broad outdoor lifestyle company with a premium portfolio of brands and products,” said Winnebago Industries President and CEO Michael Happe. “Over the past several years, through strategic growth investments, we have expanded our company’s footprint to now include locations in Iowa, Indiana, Florida and Minnesota. Our Twin Cities location has been and will continue to be an effective resource for executing our vision as a premier outdoor recreation enterprise, as it supports the growth of all of our strong brands. We are genuinely proud of our historical roots in Forest City and the incredible contributions of all our past and current Iowa employees to the company’s success through the years.”
Winnebago Industries currently employs approximately 6,500 employees with approximately 100 based out of Eden Prairie. Following the transition, Winnebago Industries will remain strongly rooted in North Iowa. The company’s Iowa operations will continue to be the manufacturing hub of Winnebago motorhome and specialty vehicles products and currently employs nearly 2,100 people. More team members will be added in the next 12 months, the company said, to meet increased demand for its products. The company continues to implement major infrastructure and economic investments to support employees, training and job growth at its North Iowa campuses including:
Providing multi-year support totaling $500,000 to the John V. Hanson Career Center, an initiative to provide students with educational opportunities and skills in high demand areas including advanced manufacturing.
Initiating a hiring campaign to meet increased demand in Winnebago RVs and the need to add additional new team members in North Iowa over the next year.
Implementing facility improvements and expanding motorhome manufacturing capacity.
“North Iowa has been home to Winnebago Industries for 63 years and it will remain a critical community for current operations and future growth,” said Huw Bower, president of Winnebago Outdoors. “We are committed to supporting North Iowa and being active contributors to the community as we to strive to further develop our storied Winnebago brand by driving it to new heights through a relentless focus on quality, service and innovation.”
