Rich Stern
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2000
- Messages
- 2,618
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A few weeks ago, I posted about the rumors of Champion's troubles. It appears that the rumors are true. Champion is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor for fraud, for failure to pay employee health insurance contributions, withholding taxes and wage garnishments. The state of Arkansas is investigating them as well. Records have been seized. Former employees are describing some not-so-cool things to the press. Vendors have apparently come for inventory that hasn't been paid for.
I've always admired Champion's product, and how loyal their customers have been, despite getting trashed by Champion owners for driving a Nitro. I feel no glee in this development. I worry about how those folks out of work in Mountain Home, Arkansas are going to feed their families.
Collectively, as members here, we've taken a lot of flak for the brand of boat we drive, and Tracker has taken quite a beating as well at the hands of owners of other boats. I'm not celebrating Champion's demise, but I am thankful that my boat was made by a financially stable company that isn't going to defraud it's employees out of their health insurance in a last gasp effort of wishful thinking. I hope that The Marine Group, Genmar, or someone else comes in and buys Champion, not just so that the brand survives, but so that somebody makes sure that those folks get their health insurance back.
I've always admired Champion's product, and how loyal their customers have been, despite getting trashed by Champion owners for driving a Nitro. I feel no glee in this development. I worry about how those folks out of work in Mountain Home, Arkansas are going to feed their families.
Collectively, as members here, we've taken a lot of flak for the brand of boat we drive, and Tracker has taken quite a beating as well at the hands of owners of other boats. I'm not celebrating Champion's demise, but I am thankful that my boat was made by a financially stable company that isn't going to defraud it's employees out of their health insurance in a last gasp effort of wishful thinking. I hope that The Marine Group, Genmar, or someone else comes in and buys Champion, not just so that the brand survives, but so that somebody makes sure that those folks get their health insurance back.