I received the news today from two different sources, both well informed within the HRRVC, that Monaco announced today that they will cease operations and shut down the plants in Elkhart, Wakarusa, and Nappanee, In. On ar about
Sept 17th. They gave no indication of the plans for building the models that were produced in the Indiana plants at this time.

They also stated that HRRVC Employees in Wakarusa have been working on a contingency plan for the office for some time,just in case Monaco stopped their support. The financial side is also being evaluated. The Club will continue.

I'm sure more details will be announced at the HRRVC International Rally in Goshen, IN the first week of August but due to prior committments here in Texas, we will not be attending.

Hopefully, although yet another manufacturer appears to be cutting back radically due to the current economic situation, it does not yet look as if we're becoming orphan owners quite yet.

It's been on the South Bend TV news stations all day.

They are moving all diesel production to Oregon, all gassers to the RVision plant in Warsaw. Towables to Warsaw or Goshen. They are shutting down the service center. At least this is what was in the report.

You can go to WNDU TV's web site and read the letter that was given to each employee. There was also a report in "Market Watch."

Dale

Copy and paste this into your browser window

http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/25559909.html

We just left the Service Center in Elkhart (Hively St.) yesterday AM. There was no indication that anything was different. As matter of fact I heard them making service appointments in to October. There were several MH there with us that had to come back and they to were being set up for October. All the employees were relaxed didn't seem like anything was going on while we were there for repairs on our rig and we were there for two fulldays and part of yesterday.

According to the Ch. 16 news link posted by George, the employees just learned it today:

quote:

Employees at the Wakarusa plant got the news around 11 o’clock this morning. They were sent home to digest the news, and told to return to work on Monday. Workers already had a four day week scheduled, as part of company efforts to reduce production.

The various Monaco owner Yahoo Groups are just starting the buzz about it. Should be affecting Holiday Rambler, Beaver, Safari lines as well as Roadmaster chassis.

Not good news for the rest of the supporting industries in the Elkhart/Wakarusa communities.

Here is the Monaco Corp. Press Release announcing the changes.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CoolJudy,

I am very sorry to hear about the workers being made redundant, very sad indeed. I look at RVing and see hurting manufacturers, very hungry dealers and consumers fearful of making any kind of investment, homes, RV's, cars, just about anything. I have never seen banks collapse, especially big ones. MH sales are down almost 30% across the industry I have read. We are told it will improve. I think it will but when and how far will we go down? I wish Monaco and its workforce the best. They make a very good product!
Phil