Winnebago replaces president, Chris West steps up

Winnebago Industries has announced changes to its executive leadership team. Winnebago brand president Huw Bower will step down from his role on 31 August 2024, after four years with the company.

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 from 1 September 2024.

Winnebago Industries is an American manufacturer of motorhomes. In 2018, the company expanded into motorboat manufacturing with the acquisition of Chris-Craft Corporation. The firm acquired the Barletta Boats brand of pontoon boats in in 2021.

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. He spearheaded the integration of the company’s Barletta Boats acquisition 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,” says 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.”

A search for West’s replacement will begin immediately.

Barletta Boats president, Jeff Haradine, will join the Winnebago Industries executive leadership team and report directly to CEO Michael Happe, effective 1 September 2024.

“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,” says Happe. “I look forward to having his people-first approach and deep marine industry insights on our top leadership team.”