Elkhart, Indiana-based Forest River, a manufacturer of recreational vehicles, cargo trailers, utility trailers, pontoon boats, and buses, has announced that it is leaving California and shutting down operations in Hemet and Rialto, California by the end of 2024. Operations will be transferred to company facilities in Indiana. One of two Hemet facilities will be converted into a dedicated Forest River Service Center
The decision was driven by the continually rising cost of doing business in a state with increasing taxes, labor costs, and regulations which curtail a competitive advantage.
The closure will impact 415 employees, including 239 in Hemet, California, and 176 in Rialto, California.
According to Doug Gaeddert, president of the RV Division, “Forest River has a strong commitment to the California retail market, and although our manufacturing presence is ending, our dedication to our dealers and customers is unwavering. The opening of this new service center ensures that our California RV owners and dealers will have local access to our best-in-class service network.”
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?