Winnebago Industries recognized “people-centered goals” and a focus on employee wellbeing in its 2020 Corporate Responsibilities Report released Dec. 8.
The report outlines the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance progress this year, including Winnebago’s COVID-19 response, throughout the Grand Design RV, Chris-Craft and Newmar brand families.
“The onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic and a social justice action imperative urgently prioritized our people-centered goals, with a particular focus on employee health and safety and diversity, equity and inclusion,” President and CEO Michael Happe stated. “We recognize that to navigate the uncharted, we are better together.”
Report highlights include:
- Winnebago’s ESG priority topics revealed as ethics and integrity, human capital, safety, community, waste, energy and emissions and product sustainability.
- During fiscal year 2020, the company and employees directed resources to sew and donate masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) to communities and customers, contributing early to COVID-19 community response funds in Florida, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota. The Winnebago Industries Foundation, company leaders and employees worked to establish the WGO Together Fund, which provides immediate relief to more than 850 employees experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.
- Winnebago said it maintained a year-over-year safety record, despite an unprecedented pandemic-induced suspension and operation restart, along with integrating Newmar into enterprise operations. The company stated it has reduced Total Recordable Incidence Rate by 70 percent since 2016.
- The company cited an accelerated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including a stated commitment to building an inclusive workplace where employees feel a sense of belonging and to advance outdoor equity, Winnebago stated. Happe joined a coalition of more than 1,300 CEOs, representing more than 13 million employees, in signing the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion commitment.
- Winnebago’s On the Road Again campaign supported the National Park Foundation. Chris-Craft, Grand Design RV and Newmar owners shared their stories with No Barriers outdoor enthusiasts at the 2020 virtual summit. In addition, Winnebago employees partnered with the Minnesota Vikings Table food truck, a Winnebago specialty vehicle, to help reduce seasonal hunger and provide jobs to restaurant workers impacted by the pandemic.
- The company cited continuing efforts to minimize waste and explore alternative energy sources, including instrumental baseline data collection and product/operations innovation.
“As Winnebago Industries evolves and transforms, our ongoing commitment to corporate responsibility and our drive to continuously improve remain constant,” stated Stacy Bogart, Winnebago’s senior VP, general counsel, corporate secretary and corporate responsibility. “Living our values is the way we do business. We know to go far, we need to go together.”
