Lay-offs at Shopsmith

[woodburner]

Hi Everyone,

I found out at another Shopsmith online forum that Shopsmith has begun some lay-offs this morning:mad: due to downsizing, even employees that have been part of the company for almost 30 years. I hope those who get lay-off notices find new careers doing what they love. I would like to thank all of them for all their help and support over the years and wish them happiness in the future.
As for the company itself, I hope they find a way to fix their financial problems. I do not want to see the company disappear because I love the tools they make. As a Shopsmith owner, I support and back the company 110%.
When companies start downsizing, it is a cause for concern. We need to let Shopsmith know that we back them. Please drop a message here supporting them and the employees they unfortunately had to let go. I'm sure they will appreciate it.

[fixit]

I was shocked and disappointed to hear about the layoffs. I agree with woodburner we need to let Shopsmith know we support them and pray they can overcome their present financial problems.

However, I also learned this morning that the "Weekend in Dayton" event the first weekend of August has been cancelled for this year. I don't know the reasoning behind that decision but I believe it was a mistake to cancel the weekend. Many of Shopsmith's strongest supporters attend these gatherings and look forward to the event as a chance to learn from Shopsmith and each other. I for one am deeply disappointed. While I continue to support Shopsmith because of the quality of their tools and their terrific customer support I believe Shopsmith should continue to support their customers. Continuing the WID events would be a great way to demonstrate the company's continuing committment to customer support.

[woodburner]

They cancelled the August 2007 Shopsmith Weekend/Picnic in Dayton because they unfortunately had to lay-off Dixie, the person behind the event. She was the planner and driving force behind this Shopsmith owner get-together. She will be missed at the company.

[drdave]

I have been in touch today SEVERAL times with Bob Folkerth the CEO of Shopsmith
Here is a letter from him that you need to read as members of the forum it will resolve your concerns!

Also I have a request I would like a PRIVATE note from anyone looking to attend the event this year in Dayton
The event is NOT necessarily cancelled BUT I need to know who from the forum is planning on attending and the details of your desires for the weekend
If you are kicking the tires on this one now is the time to sit down and decide if you are going to go (assuming it is still on) or not
Please email directly at dental@smilebiz.com

Thank you
Dr D
The SSUSERS on Yahoo Forum Admin

From Bob directly:
Dr. Dave,

Thank you for informing me of the postings regarding Shopsmith's viability.

While we have regretfully had to cut back on our Mark V Demonstration

Channel, along with all the infrastructure that is necessary to support it,

we still have aggressive plans to continue Mark V sales, along with all the

accessories that go along with it. In fact, we have some nice new items

that are currently in development in the horizon.

Our demonstration sales have been a very expensive sales channel that has,

for a number of years, been dragging the company down. With our new model,

while we will be a smaller company, we will very quickly become solidly

profitable. With the new strength and equity that will be generated, we

intend to continue developing and improving our products.

Please feel free to pass this information along to your members.

Bob

Robert L. Folkerth

President

Shopsmith, Inc.

937-898-6070 x 501

[Nick]

To add a perspective from inside the company, let me say that what happened today at Shopsmith was not a typical case of corporate downsizing.

Shopsmith was -- and still is -- positioned to grow. As Bob mentioned in his letter to Dr. Dave, we have some aggressive plans to boost Shospsmith's visibility in the woodworking universe and strengthen it financially. We have not abandoned these. Unfortunately, growth implies risk and we got blindsided, plain and simple The unfortunate situation that led to the layoffs developed very quickly, just days ago. Nobody say it coming-- or could have. Shopsmith management, to their credit, reacted swiftly enough to limit the damage before we were knocked completely out of the game.

I'm not going to put a positive spin on this. The layoffs hurt, both the people who had to go and those that stayed. We were friends after all -- damn near family. Some had worked together for decades. But the company is still standing and the possibility of recovery and growth still exists. Which explains what I'm going to tell you next: Nobody that I talked to today considers these layoffs anything but temporary. Folks were weary, but a long way from throwing in the towel. And that raises a possibility of growth to a good possibility.

Twenty-first century America is a hostile place for manufacturers. We have to be very, very smart -- and even then, we can't see around every bend in the road. We could be blindsided again. More than likely, we will be. But we like what we do, we like the people we do it with, and we like the people we do it for. That softens the blows.

We'll be here tomorrow. We may even be hiring.

With all good wishes,

[manvelar]

Nick;

I've been there myself many times and the only thing I learned is that surgery usually hurts but is sometimes necessary for survival. I understand the angst and you (and those who had to leave) have my sympathy and good wishes for future success.

[wetisher]

Does anyone know if the layoffs have affected the Traveling Academy sessions? I was trying to sign up for some in June in Pittsburgh, PA and it shows no listings. Same thing for West Virginia. Does anyone know any details?

[Nick]

Unfortunately, two of our three traveling Academy instructors were let go in the lay-offs. The only instructor that remains is currently working the western U.S. We hope to provide another channel for traveling academies to folks east of the Rockies very soon.

With all good wishes,

[wetisher]

Thank you. I will keep a look out.

[woodburner]

Hi Nick,

Glad to see that you're still with the company and the National Academy is still up and running at the present time.
I was at the Traveling Academy in Bakersfield, CA last weekend with Rick Davis (instructor) and he put a very positive outlook for the company and helped ease everyone's concerns.
So much in fact that I invested another $2,300 in Shopsmith tools. Couldn't pass up the savings the Academy offers. A few other academy students invested as much, or more, as I did so there is definitely hope for the company to grow.
Us Shopsmith owners here on the west coast love our machines so much that most of us have no problem in investing more money towards more Shopsmith tools and accessories.
Hopefully someday I will be able to travel to Dayton and attend the national academy. I really want to take the cabinet-making and furniture-making classes at the academy, not to mention getting to spend some time with you while doing so. I really enjoyed your PBS specials on making the Wright Brother airplanes.
Best wishes to all of those who unfortuantely had to leave the company, and to those who stayed. We support all of you 110%.