RV builder leaving California

[Ziggy]

Forest River

Forest River Closes California Manufacturing Operations - RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News

ELKHART, Ind. – Forest River Inc., a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles and a trusted name in the RV industry, today announced it will be closing its California-based manufacturing facilities in Hemet, Calif., and Rialto, Calif. This decision will impact approximately 400 employees...

rvbusiness.com

 

[DRYHEAT]

Nothing like losing your job right before the holidays.

 

[angiebaby]

Get it done by the end of the year and it’s one less year you have to pay ransom to the state for the privilege of doing business there. Let it bleed into Jan or Feb and have a whole other year of tax b.s.

 

[bilz]

Ca just gets better.
I'm sure this is also about bolstering employment security for the Indiana folks.

 

[oldman]

Forest River

Forest River Closes California Manufacturing Operations - RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News

ELKHART, Ind. – Forest River Inc., a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles and a trusted name in the RV industry, today announced it will be closing its California-based manufacturing facilities in Hemet, Calif., and Rialto, Calif. This decision will impact approximately 400 employees...

rvbusiness.com

On a side note everyone in the state is screaming we have a housing shortage, close the plant and take all those jobs elsewhere.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Maybe the 400 employees will be offered to relocate. Hell, maybe they want to leave CA too.

 

[rivermobster]

Good job Newsucm.

 

[lbhsbz]

"a leading manufacturer"....

They build shit like everyone else....they're not leading anything. If they did lead, and had decent build quality, they could exist whereever they wanted to be and thrive....but they don't. I have a forest river trailer (got it for next to nothing). There's more scotchlocks in it than on the shelf at autozone. fuck 'em.

 

[riverroyal]

My weekend warrior was built in Perris years back.
Let's be real here. The quality can't get worse than the workforce in that area.
Good chance the rigs get better.
Sucks if someone lost their job. But it's not a big impact to a consumer.

Only good thing in the area is the new K1 circuit. But even that's over priced and will probably fail

 

[CoolCruzin]

400 employees out of work and that’s not counting their suppliers they use. They will see a drop in their sales sales .
Even local lunch area will see a drop in sales.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

"a leading manufacturer"....

They build shit like everyone else....they're not leading anything. If they did lead, and had decent build quality, they could exist whereever they wanted to be and thrive....but they don't. I have a forest river trailer (got it for next to nothing). There's more scotchlocks in it than on the shelf at autozone. fuck 'em.

Such a positive response as always.

 

[TPC]

Some Streets in my town are named after the former Manufacturers that built trailers and MoHos there. Long gone.
We pay the transportation cost from Elkhart instead.

Tige' Boats left for Texas a decade ago. Employees stayed behind for the state bennies.

 

[Havaduner]

400 employees out of work and that’s not counting their suppliers they use. They will see a drop in their sales sales .
Even local lunch area will see a drop in sales.

And that right there is the key. Every manufacturing job lost effects 4 service industry jobs.

 

[Havaduner]

Some Streets in my town are named after the former Manufacturers that built trailers and MoHos there. Long gone.
We pay the transportation cost from Elkhart instead.

Tige' Boats left for Texas a decade ago. Employees stayed behind for the state bennies.

It's probably way less expensive to ship units from Elkhart to Cali. than it is to keep the plants here operating. As for employees relocating, maybe, but it is Elkhart, I've been there, not sure it's where I would want to go.

 

[EmpirE231]

CA is run by people who don’t know anything about business. Elon Musk never received one phone call from
Newsom when his businesses left the state. If you’re #1 guy leaves, it’s usually worthy of a phone call to try to do some damage control, or see if you can convince them to stay.

 

[Singleton]

I am sure that service center will have the same repair quality as it did as a manufacturing facility.
Production numbers keep going down, but the junk has to be fixed.

The impact will be felt more by suppliers IMO.

 

[Gelcoater]

Tige' Boats left for Texas a decade ago. Employees stayed behind for the state bennies.

Actually they moved in the late 90s
I want to say 97-8ish

I talked with Charlie on the phone a few times about possibly moving there after someone contacted me saying they want people.
Was a sweet offer, a company truck, a house to lease if we wanted to pole around Abilene a little before just buying something, a 6 figure salary, etc.

Our daughters recent cardiac surgery, ongoing after care and the fact we had just bought a home were the main detractors. The home was a slight inconvenience but the health care aspect was huge.

A couple years later the wife and I are sitting there watching the news one night and a story about a tornado leveling part of Abilene about slapped the shit out of us as a sign we may have dodged a bullet.

Is one of those things we will always wonder. What if??

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Let’s get this straight they’re leaving Hemet! I doubt it’s the cost of doing businesses that’s making them leave.

 

[TPC]

Actually they moved in the late 90s
I want to say 97-8ish

I talked with Charlie on the phone a few times about possibly moving there after someone contacted me saying they want people.
Was a sweet offer, a company truck, a house to lease if we wanted to pole around Abilene a little before just buying something, a 6 figure salary, etc.

Our daughters recent cardiac surgery, ongoing after care and the fact we had just bought a home were the main detractors. The home was a slight inconvenience but the health care aspect was huge.

A couple years later the wife and I are sitting there watching the news one night and a story about a tornado leveling part of Abilene about slapped the shit out of us as a sign we may have dodged a bullet.

Is one of those things we will always wonder. What if??

Thats right, it's been that long.

 

[mjc]

i didn't realize there was any RV manufacturing left in CA to leave.

 

[havasu5150]

i didn't realize there was any RV manufacturing left in CA to leave.

I was in the LTL trucking business for years in the Inland Empire. Our biggest customers were Fleetwood (several locations), Coachman, National RV, Flexsteel (made RV furniture) etc. as well as the afore mentioned Forest River. Not sure if any of them are still around.

 

[Javajoe]

Let’s get this straight there leaving Hemet! I doubt it’s the cost of doing businesses that’s making them leave.

Ca. Unit Labor Costs, Energy Cost, State and Local Taxes are the 3 primary factors for the cost of doing business that drive it

 

[Hardly Satisfied]

I was in the LTL trucking business for years in the Inland Empire. Our biggest customers were Fleetwood (several locations), Coachman, National RV, Flexsteel (made RV furniture) etc. as well as the afore mentioned Forest River. Not sure if any of them are still around.

Fleetwood in Riverside long gone coachman and National Rv in Perry’s also gone

 

[rivrrts429]

I remember when Fleetwood left Riverside. They owned a massive city block loaded with warehouses, it was sad. That area was pumping when they were open. Then, like a ghost town overnight, it affected a lot of friends and their families. Took a long time to recoup and it’s still not what it once was.

Similar to what happened when McDonnell Douglas closed shop in Long Beach.

None of it is good when an industry leaves the state. It’s a death by a thousand lashes.

 

[angiebaby]

Let’s get this straight there leaving Hemet! I doubt it’s the cost of doing businesses that’s making them leave.

You can't be serious. Please let us know a better location in CA that would be so great, they wouldn't leave.

 

[Ziggy]

You can't be serious. Please let us know a better location in CA would be so great, they wouldn't leave.

I thought BMBF's post was hilarious too spelling aside.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

The Inland Empire has less cost of living and used to be a decent place to manufacture goods 30 years ago. I have heard both Hemet and Perris run down by people in this thread. yes; labor and rent is less expensive when you get out of the silicone plated look at me OC area codes. None the less, the regulatory environment of California offsets the transportation costs of the California logistics advantage and inexpensive labor and rent goes out the window. I seriously have no idea how people run a business in California, let alone manufacturing. Our company closed all its California locations a few years ago. Including Chula Vista where we had low direct labor costs, because all the regulatory labor costs, taxes and bureaucracy where unattractive. We kept only about 6 employees (engineers), the rest we did not extend relocation offers.

The noose is getting tighter, as you can't have a healthy society when you don't have some manufacturing to prop up the middle class. Some percentage of the 400 employees end up on public assistance further eroding the tax base. While the upper income class can keep the dream alive for some time, I have to imagine the once great California economy is a chicken running with it's head cut off if not for some type of ideology shift soon. I don't care how great the weather is, California is going to hell in a Coach hand bag at an alarming rate.

It costs a lot of money to move a manufacturing facility, Moving out of state is not easy if you don't already have another location stood up. People should not shrug off these companies leaving the state.

What do I know about economics or manufacturing, I graduated from Perris High School.

Learn to swim.

 

[riverroyal]

Rv builders and refineries leave but labs, pharmaceutical and tech are filling spaces and building in san diego like crazy.
Are they getting cal incentives?

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Rv builders and refineries leave but labs, pharmaceutical and tech are filling spaces and building in san diego like crazy.
Are they getting cal incentives?

You don’t think Big Pharma has political clout ?
They get whatever they want

 

[Singleton]

Rv builders and refineries leave but labs, pharmaceutical and tech are filling spaces and building in san diego like crazy.
Are they getting cal incentives?

Due to all the SD schools plus federal grants for research.

 

[riverroyal]

Due to all the SD schools plus federal grants for research.

Federal....not state

 

[Singleton]

Federal....not state

When I worked for LifeTechnologies, all the money was federal grants. We would get orders from local pharma companies with direct bills to the federal government

 

[Bobby V]

The Inland Empire has less cost of living and used to be a decent place to manufacture goods 30 years ago. I have heard both Hemet and Perris run down by people in this thread. yes; labor and rent is less expensive when you get out of the silicone plated look at me OC area codes. None the less, the regulatory environment of California offsets the transportation costs of the California logistics advantage and inexpensive labor and rent goes out the window. I seriously have no idea how people run a business in California, let alone manufacturing. Our company closed all its California locations a few years ago. Including Chula Vista where we had low direct labor costs, because all the regulatory labor costs, taxes and bureaucracy where unattractive. We kept only about 6 employees (engineers), the rest we did not extend relocation offers.

The noose is getting tighter, as you can't have a healthy society when you don't have some manufacturing to prop up the middle class. Some percentage of the 400 employees end up on public assistance further eroding the tax base. While the upper income class can keep the dream alive for some time, I have to imagine the once great California economy is a chicken running with it's head cut off if not for some type of ideology shift soon. I don't care how great the weather is, California is going to hell in a Coach hand bag at an alarming rate.

It costs a lot of money to move a manufacturing facility, Moving out of state is not easy if you don't already have another location stood up. People should not shrug off these companies leaving the state.

What do I know about economics or manufacturing, I graduated from Perris High School.

Learn to swim.

When was the last time you’ve been to Perris. ? Huge warehouses for distributors are being built thru out the area. Seems like a nice area last time I was there a few years ago and growing when we did a huge project for a new tenant.

 

[Hardly Satisfied]

When was the last time you’ve been to Perris. ? Huge warehouses for distributors are being built thru out the area. Seems like a nice area last time I was there a few years ago and growing when we did a huge project for a new tenant.

Seems like that’s all they are building in Perris and Moreno Valley

 

[PDQH2O]

Factory closures of any size are not fun, nor are they good for the surrounding community. A major aerospace company in North OC and San Diego that contracted with the US Govt was acquired during the 1990’s consolidations and I remember being absolutely astounded by the reach of the dominoes that fell. The acquiring company moved the entire operation to the east coast, to an 4 x 9 mile island where the only major industry was a Navy base. And that base was already identified for closure by 5e Govt.

From component suppliers to the local mom and pop electronics shop, to transport and service companies and local eateries, housing, rentals, facilities companies and more, were forced to close their doors. Fortunately, the communities were eventually able to rebuild the lost business, but it took a long, long time. Not sure that a lot of other areas around the states could fare as well.

 

[DRYHEAT]

After a short Google search, I am sad to see that LAZY DAZE motorhomes went out of business. Don’t know whether they were worth a shit or not. I just always thought they were kind of neat little class C motorhomes. Used to pass by their factory all the time. I always thought they were kind of a California icon.

 

[lakemadness]

It's probably way less expensive to ship units from Elkhart to Cali. than it is to keep the plants here operating. As for employees relocating, maybe, but it is Elkhart, I've been there, not sure it's where I would want to go.

Yes, Elkhart isn’t a wonderful, beautiful place. But these jobs aren’t supporting people that are living in beautiful OC neighborhoods, shopping at Fasion Island and visiting the beach every weekend. Elkhart is a rather good socioeconomic match for these lost manufacturing jobs and where they most likely live. They would most likely be ahead in life even at a slightly lower wage. Nicer housing. Might even have better schools. Better politics and government that’s for sure.

On top of the costs of California manufacturing, the RV industry is slowing way down and the production capacity isn’t needed. Ace what is costly and not needed.

 

[Havaduner]

Yes, Elkhart isn’t a wonderful, beautiful place. But these jobs aren’t supporting people that are living in beautiful OC neighborhoods, shopping at Fasion Island and visiting the beach every weekend. Elkhart is a rather good socioeconomic match for these lost manufacturing jobs and where they most likely live. They would most likely be ahead in life even at a slightly lower wage. Nicer housing. Might even have better schools. Better politics and government that’s for sure.

On top of the costs of California manufacturing, the RV industry is slowing way down and the production capacity isn’t needed. Ace what is costly and not needed.

Wasn't saying the jobs being lost were all white collar executive jobs making big $$. Elkhart is the hub of RV manufacturing.
When economy is good, things are great. When the economy slows, unemployment goes through the roof.
I work with a manufacturer in Elkart (not in the RV industry) they tell me keeping good people is tough, as the economy cycles, and then when it slows nobody wants to work for the lesser salary that comes with steady job.

 

[FishSniper]

CA Is a hell hole for residents how can anyone blame a business for leaving.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

When was the last time you’ve been to Perris. ? Huge warehouses for distributors are being built thru out the area. Seems like a nice area last time I was there a few years ago and growing when we did a huge project for a new tenant.

It's been a long time.

 

[Gelcoater]

When was the last time you’ve been to Perris. ? Huge warehouses for distributors are being built thru out the area. Seems like a nice area last time I was there a few years ago and growing when we did a huge project for a new tenant.

And it’s grown a lot since then, man.
It’s not often RDP finds me agree’ing on much with Bobby
Pretty right on.
They built a tiltup just south of March AFB, is 3/4 a mile long. Not sure how wide.

That area has become huge in warehouse/logistics/transport. And there pot shops all up in there
And some cool property on the outskirts, mini ranch stuff, fairly rural living. For so cal.
Less than an hour to Ontario Airport
It’s come a long way from the podunk town it once was.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

And it’s grown a lot since then, man.
It’s not often RDP finds me agree’ing on much with Bobby
Pretty right on.
They built a tiltup just south of March AFB, is 3/4 a mile long. Not sure how wide.

That area has become huge in warehouse/logistics/transport. And there pot shops all up in there
And some cool property on the outskirts, mini ranch stuff, fairly rural living. For so cal.
Less than an hour to Ontario Airport
It’s come a long way from the podunk town it once was.

So is it manufacturing or warehousing? It kind of makes a difference when you talk jobs. Logistics hubs that process imported products are not producing finished goods from raw material, they are just a building full of stuff. That is what I recall Moreno Valley and Perris where building when we left, save for the Eliminator building. :0

 

[Gelcoater]

So is it manufacturing or warehousing? It kind of makes a difference when you talk jobs. Logistics hubs that process imported products are not producing finished goods from raw material, they are just a building full of stuff. That is what I recall Moreno Valley and Perris where building when we left, save for the Eliminator building. :0

Both I guess.
A shit ton of jobs building all those buildings, roads etc.
And a bunch of jobs in the buildings after they are done.
I’d suspect there’s a lot of pot being manufactured too
The whole town stinks like pot.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Im surprised they were even building RV's in CA....
Figured that ship would have sailed long ago.

 

[Badchoices03]

Im surprised they were even building RV's in CA....
Figured that ship would have sailed long ago.

Genesis still builds their trailer in Perris.

 

[JL95]

Which one of you old heads could tell me which rv manufacturer was in Woodcrest off of Krameria across from the elementary school?

 

[Bigbore500r]

Genesis still builds their trailer in Perris.

Yea they do. They were also a better value than attidude / etc when they first came out, but not sure how their current pricing stacks up.
If they stay in buisiness for the long run it will be interesting to see if they stay in CA - I can't see how it is possible, given the regulations and cost to do business, even out in Perris. The owner / founder is part of their daily operation and lives in CA so i'm guessing thats the only reason they are here.

 

[Cdog]

Actually they moved in the late 90s
I want to say 97-8ish

I talked with Charlie on the phone a few times about possibly moving there after someone contacted me saying they want people.
Was a sweet offer, a company truck, a house to lease if we wanted to pole around Abilene a little before just buying something, a 6 figure salary, etc.

Our daughters recent cardiac surgery, ongoing after care and the fact we had just bought a home were the main detractors. The home was a slight inconvenience but the health care aspect was huge.

A couple years later the wife and I are sitting there watching the news one night and a story about a tornado leveling part of Abilene about slapped the shit out of us as a sign we may have dodged a bullet.

Is one of those things we will always wonder. What if??

Small world. I’m friends with Charlie through racing. Also his son Blake.

 

[Gelcoater]

Small world. I’m friends with Charlie through racing. Also his son Blake.

By your avatar I’m assuming some sort of car? Racing?

It was a long time ago. He may? Or may not even remember those conversations?

Watching the company grow over the last couple decades I’m pretty convinced. I fucked up
Live and learn.

 

[thmterry]

Which one of you old heads could tell me which rv manufacturer was in Woodcrest off of Krameria across from the elementary school?

Rage'n used to be built there. until Warrior lost everything.