Duncan Aviation Announces Lincoln Layoffs
The following is a news release from Duncan Aviation
LINCOLN, NEB – In response to the ailing economy and credit crisis as well as political and media grandstanding against the business aviation industry, Duncan Aviation had to implement a reduction in its nationwide work force Monday, the first in its 53-year history. The reduction in force affects nearly every single department at Duncan Aviation and impacts 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.
“It has been a tough, emotional time for everyone with connections to Duncan Aviation,” says Todd Duncan, Chairman of Duncan Aviation. “We have always been proud of being able to weather tough times with our work force intact. 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 have spent the last two months looking hard at declining business projections, areas to cut costs and even implementing reduced hours and wage cuts from 5-25% for team members companywide 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 continues. Duncan Aviation President Aaron Hilkemann says the decision has “been one of the hardest we have ever had to make. We know it is the right one for the long-term health of the company, but we feel horrible because these productive and valued team members are not personally at fault in any way, yet they are now out of work.”
Hilkemann says the company will provide assistance at various levels to those who were laid off, including a fair severance package and assistance with counseling services, grief management, training, resume writing, networking and job hunting. They will also receive special consideration when positions open up within the company. “From the moment we made the decision to move forward with layoffs, we have been very mindful about conducting them in the most respectful and dignified way possible. We want to help those employees have a successful transition out of the company and hope that, one day, we will be able to hire them back with Duncan Aviation,” Hilkemann says.
At this point in time, Hilkemann continues, Duncan Aviation has not altered its planned Utah expansion. Duncan Aviation is an aircraft service provider supporting the aviation needs of government and business aircraft operators and aviation industry other service providers. Services include major and minor airframe inspections and maintenance, engine services, major retrofits for cabin and cockpit systems in addition to full paint and interior services and aircraft sales and acquisitions.
Duncan Aviation also has aircraft components solutions experts available 24/7/365 at 800.228.1836 or 402.475.4125 (international) who can handle any aircraft system problem with immediate exchanges, rotables, loaners or avionics/instrument/accessory/propeller repairs and overhauls. Complete service facilities are located in Lincoln, Neb., and Battle Creek, Mich. Additional locations include more than 20 satellite avionics facilities strategically located throughout the United States. For more information about any of Duncan Aviation's services, contact us at 402.475.2611 or 800.228.4277. ###
