Matt Miller retiring as CEO of Newmar

[TJ&LadyDi]

I chose Newmar for what it was. Oh well.

Me too!

TJ

 

[turbopilot]

Frankly -- Matt Miller has failed to impress for a long time. I am going on record as saying this is a good thing!

Name 1 thing that Matt has personally done for the company. Name 1 thing that has improved under his leadership.

How often has Matt come out to the public and talked to us like customers, and told us his vision?

IMHO -- Matt was placed in the job because it was the family business and he was the only one that was interested in the business.

I agree. Typically family businesses get sold when it is clear none of the heirs are up to the job. Not unusual to do these 6 month transitions as you get your new management team in place. Hopefully the business will be cleaned up. Too many SKU's and manufacturing was from the Stone Age.

 

[Gramps.busa]

The name Winnebago to me reminds me of the corrugated trailers of yesteryear. While Newmar makes me think luxury & quality. I hope the Winnebago branding is very small letters!

 

[FLSteve]

I learned today they are rebranding some of the coaches as they come off the line. Starting with all Mountain Aire and London Aire’s coming off the line after September 31st will have W I N N E B A G O on the front cap. I think this is a good change to represent the new brand.

CORRECTION: It’s the entire luxury line Ventana on up.

@Neal ... So will the Newmar name be on these coaches anywhere?

FLSteve

 

[redbaron]

Imagine if you where the middlemmanager at Winnebago and got promoted to the president of Newmar.

Would you want to be known for ruining a brand and making it corporate, or known for taking a brand with loyal customers that complained constantly about lack of quality, documentation, and communication....and fixing that problem while keeping the loyal customers.

I for one think this new president would choose to show off how he can fix a problem and deliver superior quality.

I would think that he will show how Newmar is different than Thor, and other brands, not convert it and part it out.

Some companies have more value in their parts and get gutted. Newmar is only valuable in its sum, because we all hate most if the components and processes that make up "whole".

 

[Neal]

Best to be optimistic but I'm going to be pessimistic on what the new leadership will do to prices. Going to be interesting to watch in the year ahead. Change can be good but it depends on how many of MM's followers and close allies depart with him. It may take time to weed out those that need to go and replace with new energy and vision. In the end, maybe we will get the Newmar we have come to expect but has fallen short since production increased. Maybe they'll get the facilities and labor needed.

EDIT: I think in the first year things will stay on trajectory, the following year is when things will likely change.

Question is how long has the new guy been working along side MM? Is he just coming in or has he actually been involved since acquisition?

 

[redbaron]

I don't see a problem with a 20% price increase across the line.
(Says the guy who has a 22 la on order)

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I don't blame Matt for taking early retirement, after all, he leaves with almost 500,000 shares of WGO stock.

500,000 shares x $74 = $37,000,000.

 

[AbdRahim]

Imagine if you where the middlemmanager at Winnebago and got promoted to the president of Newmar.

Would you want to be known for ruining a brand and making it corporate, or known for taking a brand with loyal customers that complained constantly about lack of quality, documentation, and communication....and fixing that problem while keeping the loyal customers.

I for one think this new president would choose to show off how he can fix a problem and deliver superior quality.

I would think that he will show how Newmar is different than Thor, and other brands, not convert it and part it out.

Some companies have more value in their parts and get gutted. Newmar is only valuable in its sum, because we all hate most if the components and processes that make up "whole".

It all depends on the corporate objective that he is handed. The battle is always between quality and profit.

It remains to be seen. All is now conjecture and guessing.
His edict could be improve Newmar Quality while maintaining the current profit level.
Or increase Newmar profit by 5% a year for the next 5 years, regardless of how you do it.

 

[AbdRahim]

I don't seea problem with a 20% price increase across the line.
(Says the guy who has a 22 la on order)

That could send some of us to another brand, who bareley got in at near the bottom of the ladder.