Expects Remaining Workers To Be Recalled In Stages
Six weeks after Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing announced a
significant restructuring effort -- including what the company
stressed would be the temporary furlough of 185 employees -- the
Bend, OR planemaker announced the first wave of those employees
will return to work this week.
"We’re recalling the furloughed employees in stages to
meet the demands of our accelerating production rate," said
Columbia Vice President of Manufacturing Chris Redgrave.
"Essentially, we’ve spent the past six weeks cleaning house
on our production line, upgrading tooling and implementing a number
of Lean Enterprise practices to enhance efficiency. We’re now
bringing back our associates as production demands dictate."
Columbia representatives tell ANN the first furloughed employees
who are being recalled work in the assembly, upholstery and
subassembly departments. Redgrave says he expects to recall the
remaining furloughed employees in subsequent stages, and that their
benefits will remain in place through June, if needed.
"We’re very appreciative of the understanding of those who
have stuck with us through this process," Redgrave said. "During
the past six weeks, we’ve kept in regular contact with our
furloughed employees and held two Lean Enterprise training sessions
in anticipation of their return to work."
Columbia continues to deliver aircraft at a rate of four per
week. Though the company doesn't release sales figures, Redgrave
reports Q1 2007 aircraft deliveries exceeded 2006 levels.
As Aero-News reported,
Columbia laid off approximately 10 percent of its workforce in
March, in an attempt to curb the effects from a series of financial
roundhouses the company took in 2006. Despite achieving record
sales and deliveries for the year, the company was also hit with a
six-month certification delay for its Garmin G1000 glass panel
installation.
Just over two months after that certification was achieved, the
planemaker was hit with a freak June hailstorm that necessitated
the refinishing of more than 60 aircraft parked on the ramp,
awaiting delivery.
Two weeks after the planemaker announced those layoffs, Columbia announced its restructuring March
22, in order to give the company the opportunity to
refine production, and implement Lean Manufacturing and Lean
Enterprise processes improvements. Under that restructuring, Wan
Abd Majid stepped in as the company's new CEO, replacing former CEO
Bing Lantis.