Winnebago cited for good management

Forest City-based Winnebago Industries is cited as one of America’s 26 best-managed companies in the latest edition of Forbes Magazine out Monday. Bruce Hertzke, the company’s C-E-O and President, says you don’t have any idea that you’re going to be picked. He says it’s done on a lot of different financial numbers. Hertzke studied accounting in college, but his first job at Winnebago was on the assembly line installing plumbing in the motor homes. He says to tell the truth he was a little disappointed to be starting out on the floor, but he says starting out there was very valuable in his growth and development with the company. The article’s author says the company’s success is due to name recognition and quality. Hertzke says it’s a dedicated team of long-time employees is what keeps the company at the top. He says employees are the ones who get the job done. Hertzke says he gets the opportunity to give some direction, but he says you “really need a good and reliable crew that you can count on to get the work done.” Winnebago had a banner year in 2004 with record earnings that surpassed the one billion mark. Hertzke was honored as Entrepreneur of the Year for the Iowa/Nebraska region.