You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Screw Heinz
- Thread starter onceaday
- Start date
I make a mean homemade pudding .... wanna try ?I make a mean homemade ketchup.
If I recall, one of the reasons the Leamington plant remained viable was an obscure regulation that basically said if you want to sell tomato juice in Canada, it has to be made in Canada. Good for the local entrepreneurs who saw this as a solid base to retain and build a business.
I imagine someone will recognize the value in the St. Mary's plant. I recall years ago that Green Giant shut down their plant in Tecumseh, but another company bought it and they are still freezing corn and putting it in cans. Just because Heinz/Kraft/3G/Buffet aren't happy with the return on the investment doesn't mean it is bad, it just means it isn't meeting their (arbitrary) target.
I imagine someone will recognize the value in the St. Mary's plant. I recall years ago that Green Giant shut down their plant in Tecumseh, but another company bought it and they are still freezing corn and putting it in cans. Just because Heinz/Kraft/3G/Buffet aren't happy with the return on the investment doesn't mean it is bad, it just means it isn't meeting their (arbitrary) target.
Maybe put some effort and money into improving the efficiency of the plant. Also develop new products that can be produced by the plant.
The one thing you should be prepared to assume is that these alternatives were analyzed and found not to be as profitable as closing the plant.
The cold truth of the situation is that people went to work at this plant in St. Marys because the cost of living (specifically the cost of housing) was relatively low and they could live a good life on the factory wages, for as long as the factory could go on. The reason those housing prices were so low is because the area doesn't have much else to offer. As a result, it was always going to be hard to get much for those houses if it became unviable to live there. So the factory workers took a chance. Their gamble paid off for many years, but they finally rolled snake eyes. Nobody likes losing at the craps table, but is it the fault of the company for inviting employees to their "casino"?
The workers didn't make ketchup because they loved the company. They worked to make a living. The company didn't operate the plant because they wanted to create/support a community in St. Marys. They ran it to make money. And then the new owners closed it - to make money.
The time is ripe for a return to the concept of individual responsibility for decisions that we all make in our lives. While everyone would agree that transition is difficult, that's why prudent people prepare for it. I'm sure the future of this plant has been in jeopardy for a few years now. Big corporations don't actually make decisions all that quickly. There was time to prepare for those who were able to face reality.
I think greedy unions and stupid governments killed more jobs than private sector companies.
+1
..
True but one doesn't have to treat employees being fired badly
Are they treating them poorly, if so they should suffer the wrath of public opinion, if not I'm not sure the company is open to criticism.
I think greedy unions and stupid governments killed more jobs than private sector companies.
agreed.
For me no outrage, just empathy. Get it? I am fortunate to have made massive bank over the years and have become one of the dreaded 1%. I get the shareholder side as mentioned by the OP. It simply makes me sad that these folks will have to uproot from their community in order to find reasonable income elsewhere. So that the gross margin on ketchup can increase 3-4% made in conditions that pay crap labour rates and dubious quality controls, gut our manufacturing base, harm our families, and deliver zero to the tax base. Thank goodness I have never had to have a conversation with my daughter that we need to move to "who know's where" 'cause it's fun and part of the new economy. Are you nuts?
Given you've fired many people you know two things, it's not personal (even when it's painful) and companies must stay competitive.
I think you can make catsup anywhere, as part of the 1% you should understand the concept of comparitive advantage. This sounds like survivor guilt to me, after firing thousands your empathy makes you one of the "good" guys.
Guys, even the 1% in the corporate world are not immune to termination. Nobody is safe. The only safe is to always make yourself marketable. Also, don't do or say anything stupid on or off the job. Do not heckle a female TV reporter at a Jays game or post a nude pic of yourself on vacation on your Facebook page..
True but one doesn't have to treat employees being fired badly
These corporations should ketchup with the times.
Given you've fired many people you know two things, it's not personal (even when it's painful) and companies must stay competitive.
I think you can make catsup anywhere, as part of the 1% you should understand the concept of comparitive advantage. This sounds like survivor guilt to me, after firing thousands your empathy makes you one of the "good" guys.
Perhaps I wasn't clear in my post, thankfully I have not fired "thousands" I was referring to the number of employees in the organizations I was part of. Not sure I am one of the "good" guys or not but I sure as hell have a lot more empathy than when I was running wild in my 20's and 30's. Not sure what "comparative" advantage means in your post however competitive advantage is hard to come by if a Canadian company is competing against foreign companies that do not have similar workplace standards/pay, tax regimes, utility costs, etc. In any event thanks for taking the time to reply.
Perhaps I wasn't clear in my post, thankfully I have not fired "thousands" I was referring to the number of employees in the organizations I was part of. Not sure I am one of the "good" guys or not but I sure as hell have a lot more empathy than when I was running wild in my 20's and 30's. Not sure what "comparative" advantage means in your post however competitive advantage is hard to come by if a Canadian company is competing against foreign companies that do not have similar workplace standards/pay, tax regimes, utility costs, etc. In any event thanks for taking the time to reply.
This explains your confusion....
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage
Another plant had a comparitive advantage - perhaps in another labor market.
Are they treating them poorly, if so they should suffer the wrath of public opinion, if not I'm not sure the company is open to criticism.
I dont know other than what someone else posted
Not sure where you got your MBA but mine was not in Europe...nice try. The term is not used in business here. And btw I prefer Swift and Fielding over Burke and Coleridge if that helps you understand where I am coming from.
This explains your confusion....
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage
Another plant had a comparitive advantage - perhaps in another labor market.
Not sure where you got your MBA but mine was not in Europe...nice try. The term is not used in business here smart guy.
It's an Econ 101 term, you should get your tuition reimbursed.
It's an Econ 101 term, you should get your tuition reimbursed.
LOL, you are way out of your depth my fine feathered friend. Oh and BTW my $100K MBA tuition was paid fully by my employer (tax free!) at the time so I must unfortunately wallow in my stupidity without recourse for reimbursement. But thanks for your help I hope you did indeed pass ECO 101, I am sure it has served you well.
Everytime Buffet & Company buys a company big layoffs follow. Yet the American Media think he's an investment god! Just lining his pockets.
He is an investment God, just for his own selfish reasons.
In fact, in the 2008 bailouts, he got a shit ton of money
http://www.whiteoutpress.com/articles/q12012/warren-buffett-the-devil-in-the-details213/
Skeeezy mother fucker.
