Winnebago Industries, Inc. has transitioned several members of its executive leadership team to increase its presence in the outdoor recreation space and drive its next growth phase.
After four years with the company, Winnebago brand President Huw Bower will step down on August 31, 2024. During his tenure, Bower reportedly helped guide the business, introduced market innovations and forged a team across the company’s motorized and towable RV businesses.
Chris West, senior vice president of Winnebago Industries enterprise operations and Barletta Boats, was named president of the Winnebago Outdoors businesses, including Winnebago-branded motorhomes, towables, and brand specialty vehicles, effective September 1, 2024.
Winnebago hired West in 2016 to lead the company’s enterprise operations, responsible for manufacturing, supply chain and quality value streams across the company’s product portfolio.
“Over the past eight years, Chris has worked closely with the company’s RV and marine businesses, built deep outdoor industry relationships, and driven significant progress and improved capabilities across key areas such as employee safety, manufacturing, strategic sourcing/supply chain management, quality, and business excellence. West also spearheaded the integration of the company’s Barletta Boats acquisition in 2021 and has provided executive oversight to a pontoon business now chasing double-digit market share growth,” the company said.
“Winnebago Industries believes that time spent outside is priceless, and we are committed to building a best-in-class leadership team that can deliver on our promise to elevate every moment outdoors for our partners and customers,” said Winnebago Industries President and CEO Michael Happe. “We thank Huw for his contributions to our team and our business and welcome Chris to his new role. Our company has gone through a significant transformation over the last several years, but we know the best is yet to come for our team and portfolio of premium brands as we continue to grow our influence, impact and share of the RV and marine industries.”
Before joining Winnebago Industries, West was the vice president of global supply chain for Joy Global, a worldwide mining equipment manufacturer and held several other key leadership positions in the agricultural equipment manufacturing and aircraft interior manufacturing industries. A search for West’s prior role will begin immediately.
In addition, Barletta Boats President Jeff Haradine will join the Winnebago Industries executive leadership team, reporting to Happe, effective September 1, 2024. Haradine has been with Barletta since its inception and a driver of the business’s growth trajectory.
“Jeff has been a key part of Barletta’s impressive trajectory, first as a sales leader and then as president of the business over the last two years,” said Happe. “I look forward to having his people-first approach and deep marine industry insights on our top leadership team.”
Images courtesy Winnebago Outdoors
