AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT LUMINAR TECHNOLOGIES

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 — 25% REDUCTION IN FORCE

The company is under extreme financial pressure and has told investors, “Given the uncertainty regarding the company’s financial condition, substantial doubt exists about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.”

Additionally, the company has committed to a plan to reduce its workforce by approximately 25% to lower operating costs, commencing immediately. It is expected to be substantially completed by the 2025 year-end.”

The reduction in force will impact approximately 580 employees.

MAY 16, 2024 — Original Post

Palo Alto, California-based Luminar Technologies, a developer of vision-based lidar and machine perception technologies primarily for autonomous self-driving cars, has announced a restructuring to focus on an "asset light" business model that retains R&D activities while outsourcing manufacturing to third-party companies.

The restructuring will impact 20% of the company's workforce, approximately 147 employees.

CEO Austin Russell notes, “We stand at the crossroads of two realities: the core of our business has never been stronger across technology, product, industrialization, and commercialization; yet at the same time, the capital markets perception of our company has never been more challenging.

Now that we’ve made the necessary billion-dollar R&D investments from the chip level up and successfully launched with [the] start of production as a standardized technology, the business model and cost structure that enabled us to achieve this leadership position no longer fit the needs of the company.

Many of these team members have been on our journey with us for years, which is why this is so difficult. We have also made the decision to roll off the majority of our contractors who supported us at the start of production. We have informed the affected employees regarding the roles that are no longer required at this juncture. These kinds of decisions are never easy, and we’re taking steps to provide significant support for our exiting employees. We know these are the necessary steps to best position Luminar and maximize success throughout the decade.”

The company will rely on Taiwanese electronics manufacturer TPK for “substantial dedicated industrialization resources.”

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? IS THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL AT RED LOBSTER HOSPITALITY? (05/20/24)

MAY 20, 2024 — BANKRUPTCY

In a surprise Sunday filing, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection and plans to hand control of the company to its lenders, led by Fortress Investment Group. The lenders have agreed to provide $100 million in financing to support the chain through bankruptcy. The company blames its demise on onerous leases, high labor costs, and a disastrous unlimited shrimp promotion.

MAY 15, 2024 — Original post…

Orlando, Florida-based Red Lobster Hospitality, a casual seafood-oriented dining restaurant, appears to be in serious trouble and may be contemplating filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

According to media reports, the company has abruptly closed more than 50 restaurants throughout the United States and in some cases, engaged TAGeX Brands to auction restaurant equipment from more than 50 Red Lobster locations. The auction is somewhat unusual as "These auctions are 'winner takes all' -- meaning each winner will receive the ENTIRE contents of the Red Lobster location they bid on."

The number of employees impacted is in the hundreds, but the company is not responding to media requests for more information.

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 FELLOWES BRANDS

Itasca, Ilinois-based Fellowes Brands, a manufacturer of office equipment, modular walls, air monitoring equipment, and other office products, has announced plans to close its contract furniture division in Holland, Michigan.

The closure will impact 117 employees.

According to a company spokesperson, "The company provided significant investments and support with the goal of enabling needed systems, equipment, and process upgrades. Despite those investments, it was ultimately decided the business was in an unrecoverable condition. We are truly grateful for the many employees who have supported this operation, some for decades. The dedication of our employees has been displayed in many ways through these difficult times and I would like to express gratitude and appreciation from our entire Fellowes team. Despite our significant losses in this operation, in the coming months we will help our employees make their personal transitions in a way that is consistent with our values, and wish each employee impacted the best outcome possible.”

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?