At Winnebago Industries, our passion for the outdoors drives us forward and inspires us to be leaders in our industry. We would not be who we are today without our highly skilled manufacturing employees across Grand Design, Newmar, Winnebago, Barletta, Chris-Craft and Lithionics.
Meet some of the manufacturing talent behind our products who elevate every moment outdoors.
Merle has been an employee at Winnebago since his first day on February 8, 1971. He started in the weld shop where he learned to weld on chassis and prep generators for motorhomes. Later, he took the opportunity to work in security where we trained a guard dog and worked alongside his four-legged companion.
In 1976, Merle transferred to the shipout department and has been dedicated to that work ever since! “I have really enjoyed learning how to repair motorhomes,” said Merle. “One of my fondest memories was a trip to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where we made sure Winnebago units met Canadian chassis specifications.”
Almost fifty-four years later, Merle is still committed to the Winnebago Motorhome team and says his specialty is doing final work on the units and to ensure they are manufactured to Winnebago standards before going to a dealer. He’s also a proud owner of a Winnebago Navion, the second RV he has owned.
Blake is a master technician who has been an employee at Lithionics Battery, based in Florida, since 2022. His exceptional dedication and attention to detail make him a great manufacturing leader.
Blake spends his days understanding many complex battery system builds, and consistently delivers top-notch quality work. His ability to train new technicians and adapt to new challenges makes him a valued asset to the Lithionics manufacturing team.
Cedric joined Barletta the summer of 2021 and quickly became a key member of the production team. He spends his days installing floors on Barletta pontoons and focusing on manufacturing exceptional boats.
“Our number one goal is to produce the best product for our customer by delivering on our quality promise. We hold each other accountable to perform the best job possible, no matter the position or department,” said Cedric.
As a former Division I college athlete, he demonstrates a strong commitment to teamwork and strives to inspire growth. Cedric challenges his team members to help each other improve and drive results with a “get it done” approach, all while having fun.
As a proud bronze sponsor of Manufacturing Day 2024, Winnebago Industries is excited to join forces with the Manufacturing Institute, the nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, to celebrate the vital contributions of our talented manufacturing teams. We are committed to not only recognizing the hard work of our employees across all our brands but also to inspiring the next generation of innovators and builders. Together, we are shaping the future of manufacturing and helping to create a strong, sustainable workforce for years to come.