News on 25 September 2000
Following the decision by Swiss Engineering conglomerate
Sulzer to put five of its operating divisions on the market as part of
a radical restructuring (see News story) a spokesman
for Sulzer Infra's Infrastructure Solutions division has re-affirmed their
commitment to customers.
John Weston, Director, Infrastructure Solutions, said: "Sulzer, like
a variety of other multinational companies, is re-shaping its focus to
meet demand – and our recent announcement needs to be seen in this
context.
"Sulzer Infra is a strong and profitable business which will continue
to serve its growing customer base at the same high standards as usual.
While we may ultimately benefit with a new shareholder, everyone that
we work with – our customers, our business partners, and our employees
– recognises that we are operating in a "business as usual"
scenario. Our customers remain our first priority.
"The management team of Sulzer Infra CBX in the UK and the other
ISD companies in Ireland, and the Spanish and German speaking regions
are working together to assist in ensuring continued prosperity for the
company."
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Ueli
Roost
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In a letter to Sulzer staff posted on the company's web
site (www.sulzer.com/newstrategy),
CEO Ueli Roost sets out the thinking behind the changes and the efforts
that are being made to reduce uncertainty during the transition: "Today
we have five businesses which we feel cannot meet our performance criteria
even in the mid-term. These are Sulzer Infra, Sulzer Pumps, Sulzer Textil,
Sulzer Burckhardt and Sulzer Turbo.
"Our analysis has clearly shown that we are not in the position -
particularly in respect of the necessary financial resources - to provide
the development effort necessary to ensure their long-term success within
the new Sulzer corporate strategy. We will find new, more promising environments
for these business units with other companies. Preference will be given
to those potential owners who have a strategic interest in operating the
businesses on a long-term basis."
As well as information for employees, investors, customers and suppliers,
the Sulzer web site has a question & answer section and a feedback
facility. John Weston re-stated the company's determination to handle
the restructuring with concern for all stakeholders: "Sulzer has
a long history of ethical treatment of its customers, partners and employees.
Ueli Roost, our CEO, has emphasised this point over and over again in
the last few days. Sulzer has carefully managed a variety of acquisitions
and disposals in its history and would not contemplate the transfer of
business to new owners if this was thought to conflict with its traditions
of honouring business commitments and ethical treatment of employees."
