On February 15, Forest River announced a new round of layoffs. [Read the WARN notice dated February 13.] The Elkhart, Indiana, RV manufacturer reported that a total of 83 workers will be affected as of April 19. Impacted positions may include management, maintenance, electrical, sales, purchasing, and others.
Forest River plans to phase out its No Boundaries manufacturing plant in Goshen (Plant #77) and combine the No Boundaries line with the current Ibex manufacturing plant in Ligonier, Indiana.
Boundaries Plant #77 manufactures No Boundaries trailers, which are described by Forest River as “lightweight, versatile travel trailers towable by both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder tow vehicles with adaptable storage for kayaks, bikes, SUPs, surfboards, skis and fishing equipment.” Lengths range from 12 to 25 feet.
Current plans are to convert the Goshen plant into an enhanced parts and service center to improve customer service and satisfaction. Forest River has committed to work with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to assist workers and their families affected by the upcoming layoffs at the Goshen plant.
More information about the trailers can be found here.
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I have a NoBo. It’s only a 19.2, but it’s a TT made by adults, for adults. Scary-roomy inside, made for two people and says as much. Full dry bathroom, full-sized queen bed, two recliners, 200W solar built in… lots of other cool features you only find in bigger trailers (and I don’t even have a slide). Still only weighs 4600 lbs loaded. Perfect for an empty-nester couple who loves boondocking the Western US.
I believe the Ibex has similar floorplans and most of the features.
I don’t care about the name per se, but as long as they make similar trailers, it’s a good thing.
Maybe those being laid off can go work at an RV Service center to alleviate the backlog in repair work, lol!
Thank you, Gail! Forest River’s seemingly weekly recall notices certainly warrant beefing up their service department. Similarly, my understanding of the RV industry is that service techs often were production line employees. Perhaps, turning a production facility into a service facility will allow some of the production employees to become service techs. Likely, some (all?) will require some (much?) training before becoming techs, but it could be beneficial to both Forest River and the Elkhart employees. May you and DH have safe travels and sun-drenched Florida days! 🙂
Laying off staff is never enjoyable. Been there, had to do it. However, when the revenue is not there to pay wages, or reserves cannot carry business through slow times, layoffs become inevitable. Recreational vehicles tend to capture the disposable income market making them less stable than other career fields.
My late brother was an RV tech, then later parts manager at a mid size RV dealer. He said avoid Forest River products at all costs, regardless of model, and that was several years ago.
The individual(s) using the thumb down on excellent advice must be trolling for the RV industry. Ignore them. Now I wonder if this comment gets a “thumb down”?
Joy, Joy. Forest River Assembly folks having to service their own poor workmanship. Would love to hear their real opinion about making crap RV’S and having to fix them. If Forest River made them right the first time they’d make more money wasting time and resources to fix them.
Right on Tom. Well said, I too have had it with the shoddy workmanship of these mid-priced campers. BTW: My suggestion is NOT to purchase an extended warranty for your RV. It is a waste of money since the insurance companies’ small print has BIG exclusions. Take 500.00$ yearly, place it in a high-interest account and use that cash for the inevitable repairs.