AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT VF CORPORATION (03/29/25)

MARCH 29, 2025 — 120 FOR WORTH, TEXAS DICKIES’ EMPLOYEES

VF Corporation is relocating the headquarters of its Dickiesclothing brand to the Vans campus in Costa Mesa, California, from Fort Worth, Texas.

The move will impact 120 employees.

According to a company statement, “While this move will support the revitalization of the Dickies brand, it will impact a significant number of positions held by our Dickies associates at the Fort Worth headquarters. These kinds of decisions are never made lightly. We are deeply grateful for our Dickies associates’ dedication and hard work and want to recognize the camaraderie and commitment they have shown to the brand.”

“This move allows VF to further consolidate its U.S. real estate portfolio as part of its stated business turnaround strategy. But more importantly, by co-locating Dickies with our Vans team in Costa Mesa, we will create an even more vibrant campus where creativity and best practice sharing can thrive through greater collaboration and connections – creating a dynamic and innovative environment similar to our other VF co-branded offices.”

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 — CLOSURE OF MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

The company has announced that there will be 242 employees impacted by the March 202 closure of the 500,000-square-foot distribution center in Martinsville, Virginia.

According to a company spokesperson, “This transition will deliver operational efficiencies, consolidate our operations, and reduce real estate costs. The biggest impact and focus for us in this transition is our VF associates. As a result, our product will now be shipped from our Ontario, CA distribution center and a third-party logistics provider instead of Martinsville.”

“The entire VF organization extends its deepest gratitude and appreciation to our teammates who work within the facility for their steadfast dedication and commitment over the last two decades.”

FEBRUARY 1, 2024 — CLOSURE OF VAN’S SANTA FE SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

The company has announced plans to close a Van’s Santa Fe Springs, California distribution center, which will result in 255 employee layoffs, including pickers, drivers, leads, supervisors, auditors, and returns specialists, among other positions.

The layoffs are scheduled in two rounds, with the first impacting 207 employees beginning February 23, 2024, and an additional 48 employees beginning March 22, 2024. All layoffs will be completed by May 31, 2024.

Additionally, Vans announced that 42 employees were laid off at its Costa Mesa, California headquarters on January 30, 2024 

The action appears to be driven by pressure from activist investors Los Angeles, California-based Legion Partners Asset Management, and Newport Beach, California-based Engaged Capital.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — Original Post…

Denver, Coloado-based VF Corporation, a global apparel and footwear company with a portfolio collection of brands, has announced a major companywide reduction in force.

The reduction in force will impact 300 office-based employees with another 300 open positions that will not be filled.

VF President and CEO Steve Rendle notes that the reduction is necessary to “align our people and capabilities with our highest strategic priorities.” And that there will be “no disproportionate impact in any one location, including the HQ in Denver.”

“I recognize that the past few years have been intense. And while the environment will likely continue to be marked by volatility, we have strong momentum in the majority of our businesses. At the same time, we’re working to improve those areas of the business that need attention.”

“Our overriding goal is to drive consistent growth across our full family of brands. Through clear and focused strategies, the passion and capabilities of our people, and the guidance provided by capable leaders, we will drive growth and chart the next chapter for VF.”

Look for the company to embrace the digital transformation that is driving direct-to-consumer sales with negligible platform costs and centralized fullfulment opportunities.

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 UNILEVER (11/28/24)

NOVEMBER 28. 2024 — 149 NEW JERSEY HQ EMPLOYEES

Unilever is laying off 149 employees, effective December 31, 2024, at its Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey headquarters as part of a more significant 7,500-person reduction in workforce.

According to a company spokesperson, “Impacted employees have the opportunity to apply for open positions in the company, are eligible for severance pay, and will be provided with outplacement services and development training.”

MARCH 19, 2024 — 7,500 EMPLOYEES TARGETED FOR LAYOFFS

The company announced it is repositioning its brand portfolio and cutting 7,500 jobs in a new cost-savings initiative.

According to CEO Hein Schumacher, “Simplifying our portfolio and driving greater productivity will allow us to further unlock the potential of this business, supporting our ambition to position Unilever as a world-leading consumer goods company delivering strong, sustainable growth and enhanced profitability."

The spinoff process will commence immediately and is expected to conclude by the end of 2025.

FEBRUARY 2, 2022 — Original post…

London, England-based Unilever, the iconic multinational consumer goods company, has announced another organizational restructuring initiative to consolidate and simplify the company along category lines.

According to Unilever CEO Alan Jope, "Our new organizational model has been developed over the last year and is designed to continue the step-up we are seeing in the performance of our business. Moving to five category-focused Business Groups will enable us to be more responsive to consumer and channel trends, with crystal-clear accountability for delivery. Growth remains our top priority and these changes will underpin our pursuit of this.

The restructuring of the company will consist of five so-called business groups labeled 'Beauty & Wellbeing,' 'Personal Care,' 'Home Care,' 'Nutrition,' and 'Ice Cream.' Each of these categories will be responsible for expanding on its strategy, growth, and profit worldwide."

The restructuring will impact 1,500 management employees, primarily senior and junior management positions globally.

The decision appears to be driven, in part, by the increasing involvement of Nelson Peltz and his New York, New York-based hedge fund Trian Partners, an activist investor noted for demanding board representation, management changes, divestitures of underperforming assets, headcount reductions, stock repurchases, and upstream dividends.

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. 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?