www.iFourWinns.com :: View topic - It was just a matter of time

Four Winns has laid off an unspecified number of workers and stopped production of its small boat production, according to media sources here.

This is truly unfortunate. You know that they will not hire back all the workers they have layed off so some people will be out of work permanently. It will be a time for them to purge and slim down the workforce so they can keep up their profits and I see nothing wrong with this because people get comfortable and complacant and sometimes a shake up will charge the workforce into working harder. It could also go the other way where the employs become disgruntled and production slows and quality drops. I am sure management will be watching for this and will further purge any of the instigators of this behaviour. Let's all hope for better weather and an increase in the economy so we can all keep playing.

I didn't know that Wellcraft's were made at the FW company...

Yes it is sad any time people are laid off even more so when it's due to the price of fuel and this is a problem our government could have dealt with a long time ago and the best our government could come up with is Ethanol.

Brett248Vista wrote:

Rather than the price of fuel, I believe the lay offs are more due to the economy, consumer confidence, the credit crunch, and as FW says the decline in the housing industry. Sure, fuel prices are contributory, but not I think the primary factor.

Anyway, I've noticed a big increase in boat traffic in July relative to June where I boat. I suspect people are waking up and realising at least in this part of the country, that there's only a month or so of summer left.

Author:	Cap'n Morgan [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:13 am ]
Post subject:	It was just a matter of time
This hitting a little too close to home for me. Quote: Four Winns has laid off an unspecified number of workers and stopped production of its small boat production, according to media sources here. http://www.cadillacnews.com/story_news/ ... &year=2008

Author:	230 Mike [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
Thanks for the info, Cap'n. That'll be just dandy for worker morale.

Author:	millhaven_nice_guy [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
This is truly unfortunate. You know that they will not hire back all the workers they have layed off so some people will be out of work permanently. It will be a time for them to purge and slim down the workforce so they can keep up their profits and I see nothing wrong with this because people get comfortable and complacant and sometimes a shake up will charge the workforce into working harder. It could also go the other way where the employs become disgruntled and production slows and quality drops. I am sure management will be watching for this and will further purge any of the instigators of this behaviour. Let's all hope for better weather and an increase in the economy so we can all keep playing.

Author:	Brett248Vista [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
millhaven_nice_guy wrote: This is truly unfortunate. You know that they will not hire back all the workers they have layed off so some people will be out of work permanently. It will be a time for them to purge and slim down the workforce so they can keep up their profits and I see nothing wrong with this because people get comfortable and complacant and sometimes a shake up will charge the workforce into working harder. It could also go the other way where the employs become disgruntled and production slows and quality drops. I am sure management will be watching for this and will further purge any of the instigators of this behaviour. Let's all hope for better weather and an increase in the economy so we can all keep playing. Spoken like a manager.

Author:	scottmph [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:54 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
truly sad news. unless you want to get a 45 foot boat

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Author:	Brett248Vista [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
Yes it is sad any time people are laid off even more so when it's due to the price of fuel and this is a problem our government could have dealt with a long time ago and the best our government could come up with is Ethanol.

Author:	Cap'n Morgan [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:25 am ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
This will also effect the smaller Wellcraft line, as FW has been building them in Cadillac for the last year or so.

Author:	su2skelsey [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:58 am ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
I didn't know that Wellcraft's were made at the FW company...

Author:	Cap'n Morgan [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:13 am ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
su2skelsey wrote: I didn't know that Wellcraft's were made at the FW company... Yep, part of a Genmar production consolidation move they did last year. Since it is smaller boats, it falls into the group of workers that got laid off recently.

Author:	Jim_R [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:35 am ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
Brett248Vista wrote: Yes it is sad any time people are laid off even more so when it's due to the price of fuel and this is a problem our government could have dealt with a long time ago and the best our government could come up with is Ethanol. Rather than the price of fuel, I believe the lay offs are more due to the economy, consumer confidence, the credit crunch, and as FW says the decline in the housing industry. Sure, fuel prices are contributory, but not I think the primary factor. Anyway, I've noticed a big increase in boat traffic in July relative to June where I boat. I suspect people are waking up and realising at least in this part of the country, that there's only a month or so of summer left.

Author:	ardy [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
Bad news for the little guy trying to earn a living, and pardon me if I sound selfish . Does this affect the H180 I ordered in late June???? Ardy South Australia

Author:	230 Mike [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:20 am ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
Did your dealer give you a build date yet? I suspect that boats on order will get built.

Author:	Brett248Vista [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:30 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
Jim_R wrote: Brett248Vista wrote: Yes it is sad any time people are laid off even more so when it's due to the price of fuel and this is a problem our government could have dealt with a long time ago and the best our government could come up with is Ethanol. Rather than the price of fuel, I believe the lay offs are more due to the economy, consumer confidence, the credit crunch, and as FW says the decline in the housing industry. Sure, fuel prices are contributory, but not I think the primary factor. Anyway, I've noticed a big increase in boat traffic in July relative to June where I boat. I suspect people are waking up and realising at least in this part of the country, that there's only a month or so of summer left. Jim, And most of these problems will trace right back to higher fuel costs (We know what the deal is with the housing market... ARMS) High fuel means higher prices that FW has to pay for components, which means a higher final price for the product, and the product is a luxury item that consumes fuel at a rapid rate so in the end, consumers pass. I agree with you I have noticed the same thing regarding traffic. Seems like people held off for a while, the last time I was out, there was more traffic that I have ever seen in years past. But in June? Nadda!

Author:	cougarcruiser [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
I think we all can see things like this coming... Face it.. love it.. or leave it.. We are either "in" a recession or well on our way. larger boats afforded by the high-end of wealthy are typically less affected than the smaller sport boat lines which are typically afforded by those of us who are a bit more mindful of where our pennies go. Four Winns has been shielded from the impacts of our economy until now -- which goes to show just how strong their product line is! I am very happy to see that they are making tough choices to keep those balance sheets in good shape. It's unfortunate that there are people-impacts to some of those choices. Sea Ray cut production and layed off workers what -- almost a year go... The Bayliner world is falling out from under that company (thier largest distributor - Olympic Boat Centers) just filed for bankruptcy. I think of most all of us have been affected by the economic changes in one way or another. Hopefully, we were all smart enough to plan ahead for some of the gas price increases... I worked out my gas budget, and if gas goes up to 6 dollars a gallon on the lake (highest it's been is 5.70 though), it still means that my summer on the boat cost me 400-500 dollars more over 4-5 months. I can absorb that cost knowing that this is a hobby my wife and I really enjoy. Our friends have also been very generous this summer -- taking us to dinners or stepping up in bringing food on the boat because everybody knows just how much gas costs...

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Author:	Busacharger [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:55 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: It was just a matter of time
I can relate to what is happening with Four Winns employees. The plant I work at had a lay-off 5 weeks ago, but just for a week thank goodness! We had a warning it has coming and we all expect another one close to Dec. as happened last year. The crazy thing is we've been working overtime since we retured from the lay-off due to the plant being severly under staffed. I wish all of the Four Winns employees the best and hope thier managment can put together a better recovery plan than our's have. I could really let loose about corporate greed, waste, and oblivious company managing, but I wont. Just want to say (what most people aready know) is that the workers being layed off are not the ones to blame for a company's poor financial situation.