WAKARUSA, Ind. (AP) — Monaco Coach Corp. became the second recreational vehicle maker in town to trim staff last week when it laid off 200 workers as the industry works its way through a slowdown.
Oregon-based Monaco laid off mostly production workers at its Wakarusa factory in northern Indiana to help cut production Friday. Monaco spokesman Craig Wanichek said RV production is expected to fall between 10 and 20 percent.
''It's a difficult decision, but we thought it was prudent right now,'' Wanichek said.
Travel Supreme Inc. laid off about 25 of its 230 workers. The company also stopped production for three days before resuming work Monday.
''We were slow,'' Travel Supreme CEO Glenn Troyer said. ''We were evaluating what we are going to do.''
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association President Richard Coon said last fall the number of shipments would fall to about 334,000 this year, the industry's lowest total since 2003.
However, RV sales could rise thanks to things like recent interest rate cuts, according to Dennis Harney, executive director of the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association-Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council.
''I don't see anything hugely unusual going on right now,'' Harney said. ''It's not unusual for orders to be slow from time to time and layoffs to occur.''