The following is a copy of a recent letter from EMD's new CEO to all salaried employees. Looks as if some changes are about to happen.
Subject: Message from John Hamilton
To: All Salaried Employees
For the past few weeks, I have spent time meeting and talking with you
about the future of EMD. I stated that the future for our company is very
bright, but also communicated that turning the company around will require
hard work, and that to do so, we will need to do things very differently
than before. I committed to share with you openly the financial status of
the organization and the steps that we will take to make the company
strong
and growing once again.
The cost structure of the company is too high. We are reviewing a variety
of options that will allow us to reduce our costs, including re-examining
our supplier base. In the near future, there also will be a
reduction-in-force of our salaried employees in both the United States and
Canada. This is not a decision taken lightly, nor one that will be easy.
Nonetheless, it is a critical step on the journey to a better future that
must be taken.
More details will follow; however, I want to give you some sense for what
will occur and the time frame in which it will occur. Managers and
leaders
of the company have begun reviewing ways to restructure and/or eliminate
work so that we can be more effective and efficient. In some cases,
managers will identify jobs that can be eliminated. In other cases,
managers will endeavor to consolidate jobs currently performed. In
addition, they will also undertake a comparison of employee productivity,
skills and abilities that will result in a ranking of individuals relative
to their peers. This process will culminate in mid- to late-May, when
those without the requisite skills and abilities will be informed that
their employment with EMD is being terminated.
For those individuals who are affected, EMD has committed to a generous
severance program that is modeled after the policy of the previous owner
of
the company. Again, specific details will follow soon. I would also like
to make it clear that this is not a voluntary separation program and the
managers and supervisors of the company are not authorized to respond to
people who, for personal reasons, would like to leave the company. Our
goal is to treat people both fairly and respectfully throughout this very
difficult process.
I am aware that this decision will create a great deal of emotion in
people. While I regret the need to do so, I have no doubt that our
company
will only survive by including these actions as part of our turnaround
plan. It is my commitment, and that of all leaders in the company, to
conduct this process confidentially, professionally and respectfully for
all involved. More information will be made available through the Human
Resource Department early next week.
Sincerely yours,
John Hamilton
President and CEO, EMD
