More than 550 workers across Indiana are set to be laid off in June.
The layoffs will affect THOR Industries’ subsidiaries: Cruiser RV, DRV, and Heartland Recreational Vehicles.
According to documents filed with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Cruiser RV plans to lay off 251 employees across five plants in Howe, Indiana.
DRV will release 51 workers from its Howe facility, while Heartland RV will let go of 147 employees from six plants in Elkhart and one in Middlebury, a report by WNDU revealed.
Additionally, Heartland RV’s Sturgis, Michigan plant will close, resulting in 121 job losses.
The Sturgis facility, opened in late 2023, was a $35.9 million investment aimed at producing up to 5,000 RVs annually. Its closure, attributed to “business necessity,” comes less than two years after its inauguration and was supported by state and local incentives, including a $700,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
In March, THOR announced the integration of Heartland RV under its Jayco division, aiming to streamline operations and respond to evolving market conditions.
The RV industry, often seen as a bellwether for economic trends, experienced a surge during the pandemic but has faced challenges in recent times. Factors such as fluctuating demand, supply chain disruptions, and changing consumer preferences have impacted production and sales.
Local communities, particularly in Elkhart County—known as the “RV Capital of the World”—are bracing for the economic impact of these layoffs.
The region’s economy is heavily reliant on RV manufacturing, and such significant job losses could have ripple effects on ancillary businesses and services.