In a press release dated Aug. 29, 2013, Spirit AeroSystems Inc. officials announced additional workforce reductions at the company’s headquarters in Wichita, Kan., to begin next month [September]. The actions are the result of an ongoing workforce assessment designed to balance the workforce, reduce overhead costs, increase efficiency, and drive improved performance. According to the statement, reductions will be accomplished through a voluntary retirement program, a voluntary layoff program, and following the voluntary exercise, a layoff of management and salaried employees.
According to officials, the announcement represents continued strategic moves by the company to become more competitive in a cost-sensitive environment. Final numbers of employees impacted have not yet been determined. Details will be shared directly with eligible and included employees in the coming weeks. The company will offer a lump-sum severance payment and career transition services to employees who are laid off, and a lump-sum severance payment and healthcare bridging option to employees who are eligible for the voluntary retirement program.
The announcement comes just one month after company officials announced the lay-off of approximately 360 salaried support and management employees at its Kansas and Oklahoma facilities.
Spirit AeroSystems, one of the world's largest non-OEM designers and manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial aircraft, remains a strong company with a robust backlog of approximately $38 billion, according to the recent press release.