Duncan Aviation has been forced to implement a reduction in its nationwide workforce, the first in its 53-year history.
The layoffs are “in response to the ailing economy and credit crisis as well as political and media grandstanding against the business aviation industry,” officials said.
The layoffs affect nearly every department, impacting 304 positions, including 170 at its Lincoln, Nebraska, facility; 122 at its Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan, locations; and 12 in the company’s nationwide network of smaller “satellite” avionics and engine locations throughout the United States.
“We have always been proud of being able to weather tough times with our work force intact,” said Todd Duncan, chairman. “This recession, however, has been drastically different for our industry from any other recession we have seen. The sharp decline in flying by companies that own business aircraft combined with global business closings, reductions in spending and political grandstanding against our very livelihoods has created an environment that has left us no choice but to downsize.”
Senior managers spent the last two months looking hard at declining business projections, areas to cut costs and even implementing reduced hours and wage cuts of up to 25% for employees in an effort to hold layoffs at bay. “It quickly became apparent, however, that the industry has been severely affected and will be significantly down for most if not all of 2009, leaving Duncan Aviation no choice but to right-size our employee base with anticipated work levels,” Duncan continued.
For more information: DuncanAviation.aero.
