Businessweek

Winnebago Industries, Inc. manufactures recreation vehicles (RVs) used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities in the United States and Canada. The company sells motor homes through independent dealers. It also manufactures other products, including original equipment manufacturing parts, such as extruded aluminum and other component products for other manufacturers and commercial vehicles. Products Motor Homes The company’s motor home is a self-propelled mobile dwelling used primarily as temporary living quarters during vacation and camping trips, or to support some other active lifestyle. Class A models are conventional motor homes constructed directly on medium- and heavy-duty truck chassis, which include the engine and drivetrain components. The living area and driver's compartment are designed and produced by the motor home manufacturer. The company manufactures Class A motor homes with gas and diesel engines. Class B models are panel-type vans to which sleeping, kitchen, and/or toilet facilities are added. These models might also have an extension to provide headroom. The company manufactures Class B motor homes with diesel engines. Class C models are motor homes built on van-type chassis onto which the motor home manufacturer constructs a living area with access to the driver's compartment. The company manufactures Class C motor homes with gas and diesel engines. The company manufactures and sells Class A and C motor homes under the Winnebago and Itasca brand names, and Class B motor homes under the Era brand name. Its motor homes provide living accommodations for approximately seven people and include kitchen, dining, sleeping, and bath areas, and in some models, a lounge. Optional equipment accessories include generators, home theater systems, king-size beds, and UltraLeather upholstery and a selection of interior equipment. Its Class A, B, and C motor homes are sold by dealers in the retail market. Its motor homes range in length from 24 to 42 feet. Towable RVs The company manufactures and sells conventional travel trailers, which are towed by means of a hitch attached to the frame of the towing vehicle and fifth wheel trailers, which are constructed with a raised forward section that is connected to the vehicle with a special fifth wheel hitch. Its travel trailers and fifth wheels are sold by dealers in the retail market. Its towables range in length from 18 to 37 feet. Motor Home Parts and Services The company performs service work for retail customers at its Forest City, Iowa facility, and sells parts to its dealers. Other Manufactured Products The company manufactures aluminum extrusions, which are sold to approximately 80 customers. It also manufactures other component parts sold to outside manufacturers. The company also manufactures commercial vehicles, which are motor home shells, primarily custom designed for the buyer's special needs and requirements, such as law enforcement command centers, and mobile medical and dental clinics. These commercial vehicles are sold through its dealer network. Suppliers The company is purchasing Class A and C chassis from Ford Motor Company, Mercedes-Benz USA (a Daimler company), and Mercedes-Benz Canada (a Daimler company); Class A chassis from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (a Daimler company); and Class B chassis from Mercedes-Benz USA and Mercedes-Benz Canada. Regulations, Trademarks, and Patents The company is subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including the Motor Vehicle Act. It is also subject to regulations established by Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It is a member of Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, a voluntary association of RV manufacturers, which promulgates RV safety standards. The company has various registered trademarks associated with its motor homes, which include Access, Adventurer, Aspect, Cambria, Chalet, Destination, Ellipse, Era, Impulse, Itasca, Journey, Latitude, Meridian, Navion, Outlook, Reyo, Rialta, Sightseer, Spirit, Suncruiser, Sundancer, Sunova, Sunrise, Sunstar, Tour, Vectra, Via, View, Vista, Voyage, and Winnebago. The company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Winnebago of Indiana, LLC, also has various registered trademarks associated with their towable products, which include Bristol Bay, Brookside, Sunnybrook, Sunset Creek, West Pointe, and Raven. Research and Development During the year ended August 25, 2012, the company spent approximately $3.4 million on research and development activities. History Winnebago Industries, Inc. was founded in 1958. The company was incorporated under the laws of the state of Iowa in 1958.