Winnebago announces consolidation, layoffs

Gigi Wood Jul 10, 2025 | 2:58 pm
2 min read time
395 wordsAll Latest News, Economic Development, ManufacturingWinnebago Industries’ motorhome division announced Wednesday that it plans to consolidate its Iowa operations and lay off more than 100 employees.
The company operates four facilities in Iowa in Forest City, Lake Mills, Charles City and Waverly.
Winnebago spokesperson Daniel Sullivan said in an email that the company plans to consolidate its Waverly and Charles City operations into the Forest City and Lake Mills facilities.
“This decision follows a comprehensive business assessment and reflects our proactive response to optimize our manufacturing footprint, enabling us to enhance operational efficiency and align production with consumer demand,” Sullivan wrote. “This consolidation allows Winnebago to streamline operations and focus on core manufacturing hubs in Forest City and Lake Mills, ensuring the long-term success and competitiveness of the Winnebago brand while driving enhanced focus on innovation.”
Roles at the Waverly and Charles City facilities will be relocated to the Forest City and Lake Mills campuses, he added.
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act data released Wednesday shows that 121 employees will be laid off starting in September, due to facilities in Waverly and Charles City “closing.” According to the data, 77 workers in Waverly and 18 workers in Charles City will be laid off on Sept. 8. Another 26 employees in Charles City will be laid off on Dec. 12.
“Winnebago remains committed to supporting affected employees through this transition,” Sullivan wrote.
The layoffs follow 196 people being laid off in May. At that time, 128 people in Forest City, 30 people in Lake Mills, 20 people in Charles City and 18 in Waverly lost their jobs, effective June 13.
In May, Sullivan issued a statement saying those layoffs were a response to “recent cyclical shifts in the RV industry including decreased customer demand, elevated inventory levels, and other business considerations.”
Winnebago Industries was founded in 1962 by John and Luise Hanson in Forest City. The Hansons and a group of local investors convinced a California-based travel-trailer manufacturer to open a branch in Forest City. When the California company failed, the local investors took over. The company’s first motorhome was produced in 1966.
In more recent years, Winnebago has purchased other vehicle businesses, such as luxury RV maker Newmar in 2019 and Barletta Pontoon Boats in 2021.
“We are proud of our strong legacy and roots in northern Iowa building RVs with unsurpassed quality,” Sullivan stated on Wednesday.

Gigi Wood
Gigi Wood is a senior staff writer at Business Record. She covers economic development, government policy and law, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.