Hate to be the bearer of news.....

[RamGunner]

If they allow Grand Design to continue the level of after-the-sale support that has brought them so much customer loyalty, this could be great. If they reduce Grand Design to the same level of after-the-sale support that the rest of the industry, it will be a disaster.

If they are smart, they will adopt that same attitude and practice for all of Winnebago. If they don't, it will be their loss.

[TucsonJim]

It's important to understand that Don, Ron and Bill will be acquiring substantial amounts of Winnebago stock in this deal, so they will have some say on how the Grand Design product moves forward. My guess is that the move will be transparent to the end customers and we'll still be working with the same outstanding customer service team members we always have.

Jim

[Paul & Deb]

A crappy way to start the week.

Grand Design as we know it will soon be gone. I've been through this exact kind of process in my career, as I'm certain many have, and they make every promise and commitment to remain the same and to even get better and it never remains the same and you can forget about getting better.

Winnebago is publicly held and their investors want profit above all else. You optimize profit by squeezing; the labor force, the materials and "give aways" (i.e. customer service).

Grand Design was all about customer service. I've always felt (and said) they made slightly better than average trailer for the money but, as we all have said, their customer service is really what sets them apart.

My closest friends have a 3 year old Winnebago Class A and it has been a POS since they bought it. And trust me, they never get personal phone calls or responses from Winnebago Customer Service. They never get items sent to them free gratis even if their unit is out of warranty. NEVER. There are so many of us who have reported those very things, me included.

I'm not naive. I am a capitalist. I saw this coming. I hoped it wouldn't be for a few more years but here it is. We're now no better than Jayco or whoever.

Oh, it's not like I'm pissed off or anything. It wasn't my company, not my money, I would have no right to be angry. I'm just very disappointed and disheartened.

[JFF&KRN]

WOW,
just home from another 6200 mile trip and in part was a trip to the factory for some repairs and tour. The repairs were done at the factory, as recommended by their service manager JD. The repairs were completed as promised, done right as they committed too and I am a happy camper, no pun intended. Hopefully they will continue with service after the sale as that is what has built them up so much. All across and through our travels, everyone I talk to is happy with Grand Design and refers them out. I also have done the same. Let's hope they keep on keeping on in a great way and not lets the end user be the bearer of any misfortune. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

[Toypuller]

This is the way it goes, the big guy swallows up the little guy. People invest millions to start new companies AND Take on all the risk of failure in hopes to make millions of dollars. ITS ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY. They got paid very well on this investment.

[offtohavasu]

Just like we've seen in Grand Design, some units that come through just have problems. It's a gremlin trailer. Winnebago is no different. I did read two positives out of an article, however:

• Don Clark will continue to lead the Grand Design towables business post-closing as its President; he will also serve as a Vice President for Winnebago and be a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Grand Design will operate as a distinct business unit within Winnebago with headquarters remaining in Middlebury, Indiana, and its portfolio of brands will remain in place.

[Paul & Deb]

Just like we've seen in Grand Design, some units that come through just have problems. It's a gremlin trailer. Winnebago is no different. I did read two positives out of an article, however:

• Don Clark will continue to lead the Grand Design towables business post-closing as its President; he will also serve as a Vice President for Winnebago and be a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Grand Design will operate as a distinct business unit within Winnebago with headquarters remaining in Middlebury, Indiana, and its portfolio of brands will remain in place.

Sounds good but I've been involved in multiple buyouts, mergers or take-overs, whatever you want to call this, and I never remember one that didn't say the same thing. That's a boiler plate statement to calm investors. I doubt he, or the others, stay long. Hey, it's the old "new GM and old manager" from any professional sports team scenario.

[offtohavasu]

Sounds good but I've been involved in multiple buyouts, mergers or take-overs, whatever you want to call this, and I never remember one that didn't say the same thing. That's a boiler plate statement to calm investors. I doubt he, or the others, stay long. Hey, it's the old "new GM and old manager" from any professional sports team scenario.

Well the Angels have been through 3 GM's and Scioscia is still there, so I'll hold out hope.

[Paul & Deb]

Well the Angels have been through 3 GM's and Scioscia is still there, so I'll hold out hope.

There's always an exception.

[J&G garage]

Just like we've seen in Grand Design, some units that come through just have problems. It's a gremlin trailer. Winnebago is no different. I did read two positives out of an article, however:

• Don Clark will continue to lead the Grand Design towables business post-closing as its President; he will also serve as a Vice President for Winnebago and be a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Grand Design will operate as a distinct business unit within Winnebago with headquarters remaining in Middlebury, Indiana, and its portfolio of brands will remain in place.

These are the two biggest negatives from the article. Grand Design is now a business unit of Winnebago and Don, as VP, is going to have to hit his numbers every quarter no matter what it takes. If that involves business as usual then great for us. But I don't think things will remain completely unchanged unfortunately.