Below is a notice issued to staff, talk about a kick in the teeth, and at Christmas time and all...
As Emerald has grown into the largest European aircraft owner/operator of medium sized dedicated freight turbo-prop aircraft based on the superb record of all its employees in meeting and often going beyond the expectations of our customers it was inevitable that our business would increase with the largest user of dedicated freighters within the UK - the Post Office.
This was always a double-edged sword for any company to have too grat a reliance on one customer as many businesses have found to their cost. The potential risk is that that customer could go out of business, leaving unpaid depts or undertakes a corporate review and takes a change of direction.
We have enjoyed a very good business realtionship with the Post Office ovr the years and latterly some 30% of our revenues were derived from it. Whilst this percentage is large it is entirely proportionate to the make up of the market. As advised in an earlier Notice To Staff we bid for the new 'all weather containerised jet network' that the Post Office identified as their preferred way forward but despite considerable effort we were unsuccessful.
The change in direction by the Post Office had been mooted for some time but the final decision has only been recently announced with the introduction of the new network now sheduled for early in the New Year. Rather than being phased in as originally indicated wholesale change is now scheduled for mid-January.
our challenge is now to manage the change.
Over the years we have had to deal with a dynamic business, which has been achieved very successfully. There is no room however for complacency and we must be realistic in our expectations for finding additional work for both the BAe748 and SD360 aircraft which will no longer be required by the Post Office. A number of commercial opportunities are being worked on but they are unlikely to match up with the Post Office end dates.
We are also now using this opportunity to broaden our range of capabilities through the addition of the BAe ATP as out third major aircraft typ. This will demand new skills.
The first of this new type have been purchased and are expected to enter service as passenger aircraft during February 2004.
Two further aircraft are expected to be acquired and enter service as freighters towards the middle of next year.
It is with regret however that I must advise all that there is a risk of redundancy for some of our staff affected by the changes.
Every effort is being givn to keeping this to the absolute minimum and we will endeavour to look after as many as possible of thos affected either through re-training or offering alternative posts as appropriate. Those affected will be contacted within the next few weeks.
Maybe with the number of people leaving it will pass quietly, hopefully, but my question is this... BAC issued redundancy notices to its staff 2 months ago, but Emerald leave it o the last minute, maybe hoping Channex would fall over and the PO would come rushing back with its tail between its legs asking for forgiveness, not gonna happen, not now, not ever.
So the company pulls in type rated ATP drivers through the front door and kicks out loyal 748 guys out th back door... charming, but then, it is Emerald.
