Ask anyone in the Twin Cities to associate one word with Eden Prairie, and they will all say the same thing: Adventure. That’s because our fair city is host to Winnebago Industries, the brand most synonymous with gallivanting across the countryside for thrill and pleasure.
Winnebago Industries still manufactures fine Winnebago brand recreational vehicles, camper vans and travel trailers in Forest City, Iowa, just as they have since their foundation in 1958. Eden Prairie became the site of Winnebago Industries’ management offices in 2017, and then their corporate headquarters five years later.
“For every winter you survive in the Twin Cities, you should get a merit badge,” said Ashis Bhattacharya. It was the business climate that got Ashis hooked on the metro, which ultimately welcomed him to his place as senior vice president of business development, strategy and advanced technology for Winnebago Industries.
“Our leadership team wanted an ideal location for continued growth; one with a deep market, an abundance of talent, a huge logistics hub, and excellent higher education,” said Ashis. “That Eden Prairie offers all of these plus beautiful neighborhoods made it the logical choice.
“We treasure how much the Winnebago brand means to so many people, and strive to live up to their highest expectations. I once met a senior business leader who got quite emotional over the fact that we don’t make Tonka Winnebagos anymore. He epitomized the kind of connection Americans have formed with our brand for decades.”
That kind of connection brings with it a sense of purpose and a desire to give back to the community. “We’re fortunate to have received many opportunities to give back, such as our partnership with the Minnesota Vikings Foundation,” said Ashis. “Alongside STAR, we upfitted a JS Series to serve as the foundation’s newest state-of-the-art food truck, which now provides nutritious meals to children in need across the Twin Cities. We regularly match charitable donations to non-profits that serve Eden Prairie and surrounding communities. And while the discontinuation of the Tonka Winnebago may have upset some people, I believe we have made up for it with the Winnebago Industries Scholarship program which has helped send so many of our employees’ promising children off to college.
“At its heart, our company’s culture is one of freedom and exploration. We’re continuing the tradition of the American pioneer – that disciple of wanderlust who seeks liberation in every corner of the country. The aspiration to open the same bedroom door to Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Grand Teton peak all in the same week? It’s Winnebago Industries’ mission to make it come true.”
Winnebago Industries isn’t customer-centric. “We’re customer-obsessed,” said Ashis, “and part of that means we are constantly thinking about innovation. We will celebrate the grand opening of our advanced technology center in Savage this fall. It’s where we’ll devise the next generations of products for all our brands: Grand Design RV, Newmar RV, Chris-Craft Boats and Barletta Boat, and, of course, Winnebago.
“Our engineering and product development teams are looking at technology that won’t exist until five to ten years from now and working hard to commercialize it. They built the world’s first all-electric RV. Its latest generation, the eRV2, has a range of about 135 miles. We still have some way to go before Americans can fulfill their dreams of true carbon-neutral off-the-grid living, but our 15 active test vehicles and recent acquisition of Lithionics Battery will help get them there soon.
“We believe sustainability and developing stronger, lighter materials are one and the same goal. It motivates our research into making upholstery, flooring, wall coverings and other components out of recycled and sustainable materials to the greatest extent possible.
“Our Grand Design division is currently developing travel trailers which integrate more seamlessly with the Ford F-150 – America’s favorite half-ton truck. And thanks to the efforts of our Special Vehicle division, the Winnebago brand recently introduced the Inspire motorhome and the Roam camper van. Both are accessibility enhanced vehicles that give wheelchair users greater domain over the great outdoors than ever before.”
Winnebago Industries, Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products under the Winnebago, Grand Design, Chris-Craft, Newmar and Barletta brands, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The company builds quality motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheel products, and outboard and sterndrive boats. Winnebago Industries has multiple facilities in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota and Florida. winnebagoind.com
We’re continuing the tradition of the American pioneer – that disciple of wanderlust who seeks liberation in every corner of the country. The aspiration to open the same bedroom door to Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Grand Teton peak all in the same week? It’s Winnebago Industries’ mission to make it come true.