AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT AGCO

Duluth, Georgia-based AGCO Corporation, a manufacturer of agricultural machinery including tractors, combines, foragers, hay tools, self-propelled sprayers, smart farming technologies, seeding equipment, and tillage equipment, has announced a restructuring initiative to cut overhead, including personnel costs.

The restructuring will impact approximately 6% or 1,680 employees.

According to the company's SEC filing...

The changes come in response to “increased weakening demand in the agriculture industry,” Agco told investors. With net farm income falling and stubbornly high interest rates sticking around, borrowers are pulling back on big-ticket items.

The initial phase of the Program is focused on further reducing structural costs, streamlining the Company’s workforce, and enhancing global efficiencies related to changing the Company’s operating model for certain corporate and back-office functions and better leveraging technology and global centers of excellence.

The initial phase of the Program is expected to result in a net reduction of the Company’s salaried workforce by up to approximately 6% as compared to its salaried workforce as of December 31, 2023.

As part of the Program, the Company expects to evaluate other opportunities to further enhance global operating efficiencies that could result in additional restructuring charges related to future phases of the Program. The Company is unable at this time to quantify the charges and benefits related to potential future phases of the Program.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY (01/31/26)

JANUARY 31, 2026 — 4,500 POSITIONS TARGETED

Karen S. Carter, Chief Operating Officer in the SEC Q4 filing…

Next, I'll share a few examples of the early opportunities that we have already identified and are taking action on. First, as part of our commitment to operational excellence, we will simplify Dow's operating model. We do anticipate this will include a global Dow workforce reduction of 4,500 roles. It will also result in a reduction of third-party roles and resources.

As the way we work evolves, so will our expectations for where and how work gets done. This will allow us to speed up decision-making and put the right roles in the right areas of the company to better align with the changing market landscape and with where our customers are investing. We will also adopt new ways of working. This includes streamlining all of our end-to-end work processes by leveraging the power of automation and AI, which we expect will result in lower cost and improved efficiency across the entire organization.

We will modernize the way in which we grow with our customers through our industry-leading innovation capabilities and deeper insights into customer and end market needs. Finally, we will fundamentally reset our cost structure. This work will result in a renewed focus on improved raw material sourcing and logistics to drive further efficiencies.

These are just a few examples of how Transform to Outperform will deliver step change improvements in both growth and productivity. We're committed to providing you with updates every quarter as the work and value delivery progresses. And we are confident that these efforts will create a Dow that raises the competitive benchmark, is more resilient across the cycle and consistently delivers growth, customer success and shareholder value.

FEBRUARY 17, 2025 —1,500 POSITIONS

Dow Chemical recently announced plans to lay off approximately 1,500 jobs globally as a component of a significant $1 billion cost-cutting plan. This strategic move represents about 4% of Dow's overall workforce and is aimed at improving operational efficiency amid shifting market conditions.

FEBRUARY 9, 2023 — Original post…

Midland, Michigan-based Dow Chemical Company, the multinational manufacturer of plastics, chemicals, and agricultural products, is implementing a cost-cutting initiative that will reduce its global workforce by five percent.

Approximately 2,000 employees face layoffs.

Chairman and CEO Jim Fitterling noted, "In the fourth quarter, Team Dow continued to proactively navigate slowing global growth, challenging energy markets, and destocking. In response, we shifted our focus to cash generation in the quarter as we lowered operating rates, implemented cost-savings measures, and prioritized higher-value products where demand remained resilient."

Dow is shutting down certain facilities and is reducing purchases of raw materials, seeking to cut logistics and utility costs.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT SCOTT'S MIRACLE-GRO

Marysville, Ohio-based Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, a major producer of consumer lawn, garden, and pest control products, has announced that it is responding to shifting consumer buying patterns in economically hard times, reduced retailer orders, and major inventory overstock issues at major clients like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot.

According to the company's CEO and Chairman James Hagedorn, "While we have been forced to make dozens of tough decisions in a compressed time frame, including a headcount reduction of hundreds of people, we’re also protecting our competitive advantages and securing our leadership pipeline we need in the future."

Hundreds of employees remain at risk in this second round of layoffs since 200 employees were laid off in February 2022 at its Hawthorne Gardening subsidiary, one of the country's largest suppliers to indoor cannabis grow operations.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?