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Route 66 · 06-15-2008, 04:23 AM

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. laid off more than 400 workers nationally Friday (June 13) in the latest move to cut costs amid dropping demand.

"We're trying to match production to market demand, and the demand is down considerably right now," said company spokeswoman Kathy Munson in a report by the Press Enterprise, Riverside.

Munson said workers were notified Thursday evening and Friday morning, and the layoffs are effective immediately. They include 34 production, development and service positions at the company's facilities at its headquarters in Riverside, Calif.

The Press Enterprise reported that Friday's 463 total layoffs include 301 workers at Fleetwood's diesel motorhome plant in Decatur, Ind., and another 128 at a gasoline motorhome facility in Paxinos, Pa. According to the Fort Wayne Ind. Journal Gazette, 43 workers were also cut at a trailer factory in Crawfordsville, Ind., and 57 at the company's travel trailer plant in Edgerton, Ohio.

Munson said it is still possible that workers will be brought back if the economy improves, but workers would need to reapply for those jobs.

"It's our hope and belief that the market will come back," she said.

She said the company still has about 8,000 workers at 28 plants nationwide.

In April, Fleetwood cut 48 local jobs and demoted dozens of other workers in an attempt to reduce costs.

Route 66 · 06-15-2008, 04:23 AM

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. laid off more than 400 workers nationally Friday (June 13) in the latest move to cut costs amid dropping demand.

"We're trying to match production to market demand, and the demand is down considerably right now," said company spokeswoman Kathy Munson in a report by the Press Enterprise, Riverside.

Munson said workers were notified Thursday evening and Friday morning, and the layoffs are effective immediately. They include 34 production, development and service positions at the company's facilities at its headquarters in Riverside, Calif.

The Press Enterprise reported that Friday's 463 total layoffs include 301 workers at Fleetwood's diesel motorhome plant in Decatur, Ind., and another 128 at a gasoline motorhome facility in Paxinos, Pa. According to the Fort Wayne Ind. Journal Gazette, 43 workers were also cut at a trailer factory in Crawfordsville, Ind., and 57 at the company's travel trailer plant in Edgerton, Ohio.

Munson said it is still possible that workers will be brought back if the economy improves, but workers would need to reapply for those jobs.

"It's our hope and belief that the market will come back," she said.

She said the company still has about 8,000 workers at 28 plants nationwide.

In April, Fleetwood cut 48 local jobs and demoted dozens of other workers in an attempt to reduce costs.

RedneckExpress · 06-15-2008, 12:50 PM

Sadly, (Well depending on yer views of fleetwoods quality these days) Fleetwood will likely be the next manufacturer to fold. They've been triming their lines for several years now due to loses, and have primarily been buoyed up by their manufacturered homes division, which now is lagging as well, primarily due to the big problem with mobile home parks getting sold out from under the tenants to build higher priced housing complexes.

Jestme13 · 06-18-2008, 05:40 PM

I would think with its diversity, Fleetwood would be one of the last to fold.

mcgillagorilla · 06-23-2008, 08:04 AM

years ago we bought a fleetwood mobile home. no service from dealer no satisfaction from factory so i hope fleetwood folds and maybe some one better will take their place.

tmar10 · 06-23-2008, 10:50 AM

Hello mcgillagorilla,

I am sure there has been a great deal of turnover at Fleetwood since your 1967 mobile home was built. Did I have some warranty issues on my new motorhome, yes and they were all resolved.

It is difficult when anyone gets a pink slip and hopefully the RV market and Fleetwood will recover soon.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-23-2008, 04:36 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I would think with its diversity, Fleetwood would be one of the last to fold. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Unfortunately, all of Fleetwood's lines of business are suffering right now. Their major lines are manufactured homes (trailer homes) and RVs, both of which are in the doldrums now.