Merrick Park

Started our day with the factory tour. Winnebago started right better in Forest City in 1958. Currently they employ at this campus approx 2000. They have another plant about 15 miles away that makes the camper vans. And at this time they also own Chris Craft, Grand Design, Newmar, and Barletta platoon boats. We were actually really surprised about the other companies. We were here just after the 500,000th RV came off their production line. It's really quite a story. The visitor center has a very small little museum about the company.
Tour was interesting, no pictures allowed. 200 acres with various buildings completing various items that ultimately get installed on the production line. Upholstery, working, chassis modifications, plastics... The tour included a couple of these stops, but mostly had a view of the assembly line at two points of production. Everything is made to order, so the units on the line vary based on dealer orders. Class A and Class C, including the Ekko come through. You see the modified chassis come in, floor gets dropped and they start building up from there. Really was interesting to see.
Spent the rest of the day doing some bookkeeping, shopping at the visitor store and the parts store. Beautiful day to walk Charlie around.Baca lagi