Form 8-K - Current report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) August 13, 2024


Winnebago Industries, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Minnesota

001-06403

42-0802678

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

13200 Pioneer Trail

Eden Prairie

Minnesota

55347

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code 952-829-8600

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.50 par value per share	WGO	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On August 13, 2024, Winnebago Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Huw S. Bower, the Company’s President, Winnebago Outdoors, will be departing the Company on August 31, 2024. Mr. Bower’s employment is terminating under circumstances that entitle him to severance benefits in accordance with the Company’s Executive Officer Severance Plan. Christopher D. West, who currently serves as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Enterprise Operations and Barletta Boats, will become President, Winnebago Outdoors, effective September 1, 2024.

A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits


			Exhibit Number			Description
			99.1			Press Release of Winnebago Industries, Inc. dated August 13, 2024
			104			Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Date:

August 13, 2024

By:

/s/ Stacy L. Bogart

Name:

Stacy L. Bogart

Title:

Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Corporate Responsibility

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Winnebago Industries Announces Appointment of Chris West as President of the Winnebago Brand

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., August 13, 2024 – Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO) today announced key changes to its executive leadership team to bolster its position as the trusted leader in the premium outdoor recreation market and drive its next phase of growth.

After four years with the company, Winnebago brand President Huw Bower will step down from his role on August 31, 2024. During his tenure with the company, Bower helped guide the business through unprecedented times, brought several new industry-leading innovations to the market, and built a committed team across the brand’s motorized and towable RV businesses.

Chris West, currently Senior Vice President of Winnebago Industries enterprise operations and Barletta Boats, has been named President of the Winnebago Outdoors businesses – Winnebago-brand motorhomes, Winnebago-brand towables, and Winnebago-brand specialty vehicles – effective September 1, 2024. West was hired in 2016 to lead the company’s Enterprise Operations, with responsibility for the entire manufacturing, supply chain, and quality value streams across the Winnebago Industries portfolio.

Over the past eight years, Chris has worked closely with the company’s RV and marine businesses, built deep outdoor industry relationships, and driven significant progress and improved capabilities across key areas such as employee safety, manufacturing, strategic sourcing/supply chain management, quality, and business excellence. West also spearheaded the integration of the company’s Barletta Boats acquisition in 2021 and has provided executive oversight to a pontoon business now chasing double-digit market share growth.

“Winnebago Industries believes that time spent outside is priceless and we are committed to building a best-in-class leadership team that can deliver on our promise to elevate every moment outdoors for our partners and customers,” said Winnebago Industries President and CEO, Michael Happe. “We thank Huw for his contributions to our team and our business and welcome Chris to his new role. Our company has gone through a significant transformation over the last several years,

but we know the best is yet to come for our team and portfolio of premium brands as we continue to grow our influence, impact and share of the RV and marine industries.”

Prior to joining Winnebago Industries, West served as vice president of global supply chain for Joy Global, a worldwide mining equipment manufacturer and held several other key leadership positions in the agricultural equipment manufacturing and aircraft interior manufacturing industries. A search for West’s prior Senior Vice President – Enterprise Operations role will begin immediately.

In addition, Barletta Boats President, Jeff Haradine will join the Winnebago Industries executive leadership team and report directly to CEO Michael Happe, effective September 1, 2024. Haradine has been with Barletta since its inception and has been a critical driver of Barletta’s strong growth trajectory,

“Jeff has been a key part of Barletta’s impressive trajectory, first as a sales leader and then as president of the business over the last two years,” said Happe. “I look forward to having his people-first approach and deep marine industry insights on our top leadership team.”

# # #

About Winnebago Industries

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 high-quality motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel products, outboard and sterndrive powerboats, pontoons, and commercial community outreach vehicles. Committed to advancing sustainable innovation and leveraging vertical integration in key component areas, Winnebago Industries has multiple facilities in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Florida. The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the symbol WGO. For access to Winnebago Industries' investor relations material or to add your name to an automatic email list for Company news releases, visit http://investor.wgo.net.

Media Contact: Daniel Sullivan media@winnebagoind.com

Cover page	Aug. 13, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Aug. 13, 2024
Entity Registrant Name	Winnebago Industries, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MN
Entity File Number	001-06403
Entity Tax Identification Number	42-0802678
Entity Address, Address Line One	13200 Pioneer Trail
Entity Address, City or Town	Eden Prairie
Entity Address, State or Province	MN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	55347
City Area Code	952
Local Phone Number	829-8600
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.50 par value per share
Trading Symbol	WGO
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000107687