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Success Stories

Winnebago Industries

Revitalizing a leading manufacturer through strategic coaching
Revitalizing Winnebago Industries through leadership development, strategic vision, and talent acquisition.

Client Background

Founded in 1958, Winnebago Industries is a leading U.S. manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products, including motorhomes, travel trailers, and boats. They are committed to innovation, quality, and providing exceptional customer service.
Industry: Outdoor Lifestyle Products
Solutions: Leadership Coaching, Executive Team Building, Talent Acquisition Strategy, Board Development, and Cultural Integration

The Challenge

In 2015, new CEO Michael Happe faced challenges including the need for a strategic vision, talent acquisition, and broadening Winnebago’s recreational vehicle portfolio to include towables.
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Lack of Strategic Vision

Winnebago needed a new direction, including inorganic growth investments and a more engaged board to drive long-term success.

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Talent Recruitment

Recruiting executive talent capable of meeting new challenges and expanding the towables segment, the fastest-growing part of the RV industry.

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Cultural Integration

As Winnebago grew through acquisitions, including Grand Design and Chris-Craft, integrating new talent and maintaining cultural cohesion became a priority.

Our Approach

TBG provided leadership coaching, team building, and talent acquisition support. We conducted personality assessments, team development sessions, and board development workshops. We also helped create individual committees to enhance board collaboration and cross-committee communication, while fostering a unified leadership vision.

Coaching Outcomes

Winnebago has undergone significant growth and transformation, with a new executive leadership team and expanded business portfolio.
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Growth Through Acquisition

In 2016, Winnebago acquired Grand Design, followed by Chris-Craft in 2018, significantly expanding its towables and luxury boat offerings.

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Leadership Transformation

Winnebago now boasts a new executive leadership team, recruited and developed with TBG's guidance, bringing innovative thinking and alignment to the company.

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Cultural Cohesion

Despite rapid growth and acquisitions, Winnebago’s focus on cultural integration has fostered a cohesive leadership team and a unified vision for the company’s future.

What Winnebago Industries had to say

I’ve been extremely pleased with the relationship with Leigh and the entire Bailey Group team. Leigh’s personal coaching for me as a new CEO has been invaluable in terms of growing into the job, and we’ve found multiple ways to use TBG’s resources and expertise to address our leadership needs throughout the board and the management team. I’m an improved leader and we are a better company because of our work with The Bailey Group.

— Mike Happe, CEO