Winnebago applauded for perfect safety record at assembly plant

The award, one of 154 presented to companies and government agencies in Iowa and Illinois in 2011, was presented during the 58th annual Professional Development Conference and Expo held in Bettendorf, Iowa. Accepting the award for the recreational vehicle maker from Forest City, Iowa, were (pictured) Rod Norland, Winnebago Industries production manager for the Charles City plant (left), and Pete Visser, safety manager for Winnebago Industries.

Winnebago (NYSE: WGO) won the award in part for promoting active safety programs and reducing Occupational Safety and Health Administration "recordable injuries" among employees. Award winners demonstrated an incident rate lower than the national average in their respective industries. Winnebago Industries was one of 47 member facilities to achieve a 0 incident rate in 2010.

“We are very proud of the employees at our Charles City Assembly Facility in earning this award from the Iowa-Illinois Safety Council,” Winnebago Industries President Randy Potts said.

“Our company and safety department have been recognized for ensuring a safe work environment for our employees, as well as providing the training necessary for continued employee safety. Employee safety continues to be foremost in our minds.”

The company builds quality motor homes, travel trailers and fifth wheel products under the Winnebago, Itasca, ERA and SunnyBrook brand names. Winnebago Industries has received the Quality Circle Award from the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association every year since the award's inception in 1996.

You can reach TN's Hawke Fracassa at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @HawkeFracassa.

Image source: Winnebago