Eden Prairie-based Winnebago Industries Inc. on Monday said it plans to acquire Lithionics Battery, maker of lithium-ion batteries for recreational equipment and specialty vehicles.

Based in Clearwater, Florida, Lithonics already supplies batteries for some Winnebago RVs. Bringing it house, where it will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, is a move expected to improve efficiency and give Winnebago a competitive advantage, president and CEO Michael Happe said in a statement.

“The addition of Lithionics enhances Winnebago Industries’ ability to develop unique and diverse battery solutions across our portfolio,” Happe said.

Founded in 1958 in Iowa, Winnebago Industries reincorporated as a Minnesota business in early 2022. The company had already relocated its executive offices from Iowa a few years prior to that. Although Winnebago is now formally headquartered in Eden Prairie, its primary manufacturing operations remain at its 60-acre plant in Forest City, Iowa. The company has announced plans to build a research and development facility in the Twin Cities, and it has other manufacturing facilities in Indiana and Florida.

Lithionics founder and CEO of Lithionics Steve Tartaglia said joining forces with Winnebago will “create a range of technologically superior products that will change the way people experience the outdoors.”

If the deal goes through, Lithionics will become part of a growing portfolio of brands owned by Winnebago. That includes Grand Design Recreational Vehicles, Chris Craft, Newmar, Barletta Boats, and the Winnebago RV brand itself.

The transaction is expected to close within Winnebago Industries’ third fiscal quarter. Lithionics will continue to operate out of Florida.