AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE

Spirit Lake, Iowa-based Indian Motorcycle, an American brand of motorcycles owned and produced by automotive manufacturer Polaris, has announced the closure of its Osceola, Wisconsin, manufacturing plant by the end of 2026.

The closure of the manufacturing plant will impact 200 employees who produce motorcycle engines, powertrains, and other components for Polaris off-road vehicles and snowmobiles.

The decision appears to be related to a post acquisition sale of the majority stake in Polaris to Los Angeles, California-based private equity firm Carolwood LP. Engine manufacturing for the motorcycles will be consolidated in the Spirit Lake, Iowa, plant, which was included in the deal.

According to a company spokesperson, “Yesterday, we informed the Osceola team that we made the difficult decision to close the facility and will wind down operations over the next year. The closure is related to the company’s sale of Indian Motorcycle, which is expected to close in the first quarter. Polaris announced the deal with Los Angeles-based private equity firm Carolwood LP in October. Terms have not been disclosed, but Polaris will maintain a minority interest in the standalone Indian Motorcycle.

"Polaris will begin winding down Osceola operations in phases this summer. The company is offering outplacement services and relocation opportunities for employees. We recognize the difficulty this change will mean in the lives of employees, and we are committed to supporting them through this transition.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES

JULY 14, 2025 — ANOTHER 121 EMPLOYEES

The company announced that it would lay off an additional 121 workers in Charles City, Iowa, and Waverly, Iowa, in another round of layoffs in addition to the 196 employees.

According to Iowa Workforce Development's WARN system, 18 layoffs are scheduled to occur in Charles City and 77 in Waverly in September. On December, 26 more layoffs are expected in Charles City.

According to a company spokesperson, "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."

May 27, 2025 — Original post…

Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Winnebago Industries, a manufacturer of recreational products such as motorhomes and motorboats, has announced a third round of layoffs, following smaller cuts in July and October 2024.

Due to decreased customer demand and high inventory levels, approximately 196 production employees will be impacted in Forest City, Iowa; Charles City, Iowa; Lake Mills, Iowa; and Waverly, Iowa.

According to a company spokesperson, “After a thorough business analysis, the company has made the difficult decision to reduce the workforce and pause its Class A motorhome production line due to current inventory levels, challenging market conditions, and lower consumer demand. With this adjustment, we had to make the difficult decision to eliminate some roles at our Iowa campuses. We are assisting affected team members during this period of transition. We remain committed to the success of our flagship Winnebago brand and continue to be invested in the Iowa community.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT FOREST RIVER

Elkhart, Indiana-based Forest River, a manufacturer of recreational vehicles, cargo trailers, utility trailers, pontoon boats, and buses, has announced that it is leaving California and shutting down operations in Hemet and Rialto, California by the end of 2024. Operations will be transferred to company facilities in Indiana. One of two Hemet facilities will be converted into a dedicated Forest River Service Center

The decision was driven by the continually rising cost of doing business in a state with increasing taxes, labor costs, and regulations which curtail a competitive advantage.

The closure will impact 415 employees, including 239 in Hemet, California, and 176 in Rialto, California.

According to Doug Gaeddert, president of the RV Division, “Forest River has a strong commitment to the California retail market, and although our manufacturing presence is ending, our dedication to our dealers and customers is unwavering. The opening of this new service center ensures that our California RV owners and dealers will have local access to our best-in-class service network.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?