Forest River Inc. has taken significant strides in enhancing its manufacturing capabilities by constructing a state-of-the-art advanced water management Rain Bay facility in Goshen, Indiana. This investment is part of the company's ongoing commitment to long-term product quality and customer satisfaction. By expanding its manufacturing process improvement initiatives, Forest River aims to strengthen its position as an industry leader in innovation and operational advancement.
The new 2,200-square-foot facility is strategically located adjacent to the Sabre Complex, allowing for seamless integration with existing operations. This proximity enables teams to leverage knowledge and best practices from multiple divisions, fostering a collaborative environment that drives excellence across all aspects of manufacturing. The Rain Bay facility serves as a centralized resource for validation, innovation, and plant-level learning, playing a pivotal role in shaping Forest River's product design, build, and continuous improvement processes.
Over the past several years, Forest River has bolstered its manufacturing process improvement initiatives with a heightened focus on water management. Key efforts have included expanding knowledge and best practices related to sealants, components, long-term durability, and slideout sealing systems, underscoring the company's sustained commitment to innovation and industry leadership. By investing in advanced water management capabilities, Forest River seeks to enhance product quality and customer satisfaction.
The Rain Bay facility is designed to simulate real-world conditions, allowing teams to observe how water interacts with RV structures and identify opportunities for improvement before units reach customers. This controlled environment enables the company to test various scenarios, from service units to prototype units and selected production units, providing valuable insights that inform manufacturing practices and product design across Forest River's RV divisions.
The facility features an array of advanced testing capabilities, including 73 total rain heads — 56 fixed rainbirds and 17 portable spray heads — along with mobile road spray carts that simulate undercarriage and wheel well exposure. Additional features include quick dump valves for efficiency, increased water volume testing, seal technology to assist in diagnosing water and air intrusion, and a soft wash system that disengages as units exit the facility.
These capabilities create a comprehensive, repeatable environment designed to strengthen product validation across multiple unit types. By leveraging this controlled space, Forest River aims to refine its manufacturing practices and product design, ultimately delivering better products to customers. The Rain Bay will support testing of service units, prototype units, and selected production units, providing actionable insights that inform future product development.
The MPI Rain Bay reinforces Forest River's commitment to building better products, as stated by Ira Mullet, manufacturing process improvement manager. This investment enables teams to better understand real-world water exposure and apply those learnings directly back into their plants. Education and innovation remain central to how Forest River improves its products for customers.
To prepare for full operations, the facility underwent a structured pilot phase. During this period, select units were tested as teams refined inspection procedures and validated operational processes. The pilot phase has since been completed, with full operational launch underway. This phased approach ensures that the Rain Bay facility is thoroughly vetted before being integrated into Forest River's manufacturing operations.
While water management remains an industry-wide focus, Forest River has implemented additional structure around centralized testing and education to further strengthen product durability and long-term customer confidence. As a result, the MPI Rain Bay is expected to serve as a long-term resource for process refinement across the organization, driving continued innovation and excellence in manufacturing.
