Winnebago CEO Michael Happe: Why the Classic RV Brand is Making Major Marine Moves
Austin Hankwitz and Katie Perry sit down with Mike Happe, CEO of Winnebago Industries, to discuss the company's evolution from iconic RV manufacturer to a diversified outdoor recreation leader. Mike shares anecdotes about his cross-country trips during COVID, the development of electric boats, and the company's strategic focus on premium innovation. The conversation delves into Winnebago's market share, recent acquisitions like Lithionics Battery, and the impact of macroeconomic trends. Mike's leadership philosophy and commitment to outdoor experiences round out an insightful episode. $WGO 00:00 START 01:03 Winnebago's Transformation and Diversification 06:44 The North Star and Target Customer Shift 10:51 Impact of COVID-19 on Outdoor Recreation 15:30 Electrification and Lithium Battery Acquisition 20:13 Economic Challenges and Dealer Relationships 27:29 Dealer's Perspective and Company Revenue Breakdown 28:14 Earnings Call Insights and Resilience Metrics 31:35 Brand Recognition and Market Strategy 34:47 Revenue Portfolio and Future Targets 40:17 Leadership and Entrepreneurial Recognition 44:22 Personal Connection to the Outdoors 47:02 Final Thoughts and Team Acknowledgment After Earnings is brought to you by Stakeholder Labs and Morning Brew. For more go to https://www.afterearnings.com Follow Us X: https://twitter.com/AfterEarnings TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@AfterEarnings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterearnings_/ Reach Out Email: afterearnings@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices