Incompetent or Indifferent?

UPDATE @ 16.31. I just recieved a call from Seamus Mulconry of Edelman (in his former life Director of Policy for the PDs). Seamus explained to me that the email which I recieved was mistakenly sent out by a staff member and was not intended to be disseminated until after the meeting.

So its seems it was more of incompetence than indifference which I suppose is better!

Still awful day for the workers.....

Right now the 1,200 workers of SR Technics are in a meeting with management to discuss the future of the plant.

However last night at 00.49 I received this email from SR Technics PR firm Edelman.

So I, and I presume all the other Councillors in Dublin, knew that the plant was going to close 9 hours before people who worked there knew. All in the name of PR.

What an astonishingly insensitive way to deal with your workforce.

SR Technics Management
P.O. Box
CH – 8058 Zurich Airport

Direct dial: +4...
E-mail: bernd.kessler@srtechnics.com

February 12, 2009


SR Technics announces plans to close its Dublin operation and to enter into consultation process with trade unions


Dear Councillor,

I am writing to inform you of the difficult decision we have taken in relation to our operation at Dublin airport. Regrettably, we announced our intention today to close the facility and will now enter into consultation with the relevant trade unions.

The global economic crisis has had a profound impact on business and consumers around the world and across all sectors. The aviation industry has been severely affected. We are faced with falling consumer spend, rising costs and a trend towards consolidation amongst not only airlines but also the businesses that service them. As a result, reduced work volumes have dramatically increased pressure on independent MRO companies in particular.

The Dublin operation recently lost a number of key customers that were victims of this dramatic market downturn. In addition to this, Dublin has also lost major contracts from its primary base load customers.

The loss of major contracts from primary base load customers, the current business and economic forecasts as well as the high cost base of the Dublin operation means it will not be possible to fill the resulting capacity gaps with sustainable business in the medium-term.

The decision follows an exhaustive review and assessment of all lines of business across the entire SR Technics Group, including an evaluation of their financial, operational and strategic inputs. As a result of this review the Group intends to close its operations at Dublin airport which currently employs 1,135 people.

The intention to close the facility at Dublin Airport will have no impact on SR Technics’ other group wide operations, including its facility in Cork.

We will now enter into formal consultation with the trade unions in parallel with detailed discussions with the Irish aviation authorities, our customers, suppliers and other relevant parties.

I fully appreciate that this news will be unexpected and that you may have additional questions. Should you require any additional detail please call 087 25... and we would be happy to brief you further.

Yours sincerely


Bernd Kessler
CEO