Another one bites the dust. Grand Design

[goducks10]

Sold to the highest bidder. Winnebago Ind. Too bad, they had a good thing going from what I read.
http://www.rvbusiness.com/2016/10/winnebago-industries-to-acquire-grand-design/

[RustyJC]

For those who might not be aware, Winnebago had already purchased Sunnybrook (Mobile Scout in some markets) a few years ago. It appears that their business plan is to expand their towable product lines.

It looks like the towable RV market is boiling down to just a few major players - Thor (who just acquired Jayco), Forest River and, to a much smaller extent Winnebago who apparently wants to be a factor as well.

For those who think these buyouts don't matter, in the approximately 2 years since Thor acquired DRV, we've seen both good and bad, and that's coming from our perspective as DRV owners since 2004. The good - Thor has invested $$$ in the DRV facilities to build a new service center with full hookup RV sites, a water test booth, etc. The bad - Thor has put their own management and operating philosophies in place to tighten up spending. While DRV would often supply parts and service at no charge even after the warranty period was up, that's no longer the case. DRV was always quick to say "yes" - Thor seems just as quick to say "no".

Rusty

[Me_Again]

Maybe it is more like Winnebago raising from the grave to become a player again. Buy rather than build up yourself. Last winter they took over the old Country Coach site in Junction City, OR.

http://www.countrycoach.com/2016/01/winnebago-industries-announces-west-coast-production-facility-ex...

[goducks10]

Greene728 wrote:
OP
How exactly do you figure GD bit the dust?

Another good stand alone company bought out. Anybody's guess as to which way things will turn out. Initially all seems fine. But as we all know in the RV world, things aren't always as they appear.
From all that I've read it seems as though there's some quality drop off when these things happen.
I guess bit the dust was a little hard, maybe, "Another good company gets sucked up" would be better.

[Greene728]

OP
How exactly do you figure GD bit the dust?

[topjimmy]

WHAT A SHOCKER!.....NOT I told my buddy when he bought a Solitude a couple of years ago this would happen well MAYBE now they can stop Cheaping out on some of the inferior components they use compared to their competition now that they will have more buying power of a bigger company, a predictable move by the former Keystone Exec's that started the Company and now they are Rich,next time they will start a new RV company called THE GRAND ILLUSION

[ford_truck_guy]

Me Again wrote:
MAybe Wini can find a rear cap for the Solitude line. Chris

I don't know Chris , i have seen a few of the rear caps on the Winni towable lines and they are not attractive... although anything is better that the flat back. . . .

Joe

[Me_Again]

MAybe Wini can find a rear cap for the Solitude line. Chris

[grampscamper]

Not at all surprised. I told my dealer a few months ago this would happen.

[garyp4951]

jtbuilds wrote:
$166,000,000 for each partner after 4 years of work. They must be very happy.

And they get to be a VP 🙂

[TucsonJim]

I'm on my second Grand Design product now, and I see this as a good thing. It will give them much more clout with their suppliers and the dealerships. The customer service team is staying in place, the management team is not changing, and the new factories and service center will remain also.

Right now the RV industry is booming, but during the next downturn, smaller companies will struggle to stay in business. Having the financial base to weather any down turn will be good for the customers in the long run.

Jim

[Coach-man]

IdaD wrote:
It looks to me like Grand Design will continue to operate as an independent brand under Winnebago's ownership. That's not an uncommon scenario in the business world.

Winnebago's ownership is the key! They may be set up as an independent operation, but sooner or later the accounts will show up, trying to justify their existence and will start questioning every expenditure ! Without the original top management many things get lost, such as outstanding Customer Service, covering bad parts after warrenty expire's , you know little things like that, that built the company's reputation!

[djousma]

My only concern about the sale would be for Winnebago to start "pinching" GD to increase the profitability, which usually means, cutting more corners, vs raising the price.

[Calicajun]

We have been looking at the Grand Design line and are on the top of our list of quality unit. We looked a Winnebago 5th wheels and was not impressed with their line at all.
Oh well guess we will keep looking, the big LA RV show starts this Friday.

[goducks10]

RAS43 wrote:
I don't understand the comment as the article states that Grand Design will continue to operate. And Winnebago has been around a long time and is a solid company. :h

Lets hope so. Owners have been very happy with GD's service so far. GD has been on our short list for a future purchase. I guess we'll all have to wait and see if it's business as usual in the future.

[jtbuilds]

$166,000,000 for each partner after 4 years of work. They must be very happy.