Modine headline was insensitive

By David Rayburn President, Modine Manufacturing This past week was a difficult one for Modine, our employees, former employees, and many members of the community. We operate in a very competitive global marketplace, and are faced with tough decisions on a daily basis.

Thursday, November 2, 2006 2:10 AM CST

After months of careful consideration, we launched a new product-focused internal structure to better serve our customers and to cut our overhead costs to remain competitive long-term. We thoroughly evaluated every position here in Racine, to determine its place in the new structure, and to eliminate redundancies. We offered early retirement packages, and then made the tough decision to eliminate 50 positions. We acted responsibly. We acted in the best long-term interest of all of our stakeholders - customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders.

I was very disappointed to see the large headline in the newspaper on Friday, October 27, "Modine fires 50." These employees' jobs were eliminated, based on a business decision, carried out after careful consideration. It was very insensitive to these employees' hard work and service to characterize their situation in the sensational way you did.

These employees are deservingly receiving career counseling and outplacement services in order to leverage their skills and find new employment. I have talked with several of them who were hurt and embarrassed by this headline, and worried about what it would do to their chances of getting a new job. I have also talked with current employees, retirees and members of the community who are angry and disappointed by the insensitivity of The Journal Times.

Frankly, I think this headline shows your newspaper's lack of understanding of the business climate and the challenges we all face. As a newspaper your job is to report accurately and responsibly. Your community expects it. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Kenosha News both correctly reported this story, characterizing it as a reduction in jobs. We wish The Journal Times had followed the lead of the other newspapers and spent time understanding the story.

Several companies with job openings read the account in the Milwaukee newspaper and called seeking to interview some of our former employees. We ask that in the future you reflect on how words can have a huge impact on the lives of the people in the community which you serve.

David Rayburn is president and chief executive officer of Modine Manufacturing Company.

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