The reductions will begin in mid-September, and will continue throughout the remainder of the year.
According to the announcement, the reductions are due in part to the loss of some key contracts, including the U.S. Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles contract. A leaner defense budget and a challenging global economy also are contributing factors.
“It’s never easy to make reductions as we realize the impact these decisions have on our employees and their families. Although it is disheartening, we must face the fact that in order to remain competitive, we must control costs and align and adjust our business to current customer needs and production requirements,” stated Don Dutton, vice president of BAE Systems’ Platform Survivability business. BAE Systems will provide advance notice of layoff to those affected by the reductions. Each employee will be offered a severance package, which includes severance pay, benefits and outplacement assistance. In addition, displaced employees will receive information on various assistance programs through Butler County and the State of Ohio to help them through this transition.
“These have been difficult months, and I would like to say that nothing we do would be possible without the many contributions by our dedicated employees. Despite the on-going changes our business is experiencing, they remain committed to the important work we do in the Cincinnati area for our servicemen and women,” added Dutton. “We would also like to thank the residents of West Chester, the Township of West Chester, and the City of Fairfield for their support and encouragement during these challenging times.”
BAE Systems employs approximately 1,150 at its West Chester Twp. facility. Following the reductions, which will begin in mid-September, that number will be reduced to 850 in the Cincinnati area.