Ideal Industries makes big cuts locally

By JENNIFER KURLAND

Ideal Industries decided to cut 5 percent of their employees worldwide. In Sycamore and DeKalb facilities alone, 53 employees lost their jobs.

“There are mainly two reasons for the recent change in Ideal Industries,” said Roberta McQuade, corporate vice president of human resources. “First, we have a new CEO and he has restructured our business and second, as the volume drops off, so do sales.”

We all know that running a business is not easy work. Being the boss you have to sometimes make decisions that may be hard or disappointing, but in the end, it is what you have to do for the future of your company. Although it is upsetting, Ideal Industries did what they had to do in order to survive.

“We did anticipate the economy having the trouble it did,” McQuade said. “But we did not anticipate that it would get this bad this fast.”

Ideal Industries has become a leader in the manufacturing of electrical tools and components. The company has products that are used by large numbers of manufacturers. Ideal is not small; the recent job cuts are a big deal and should be addressed.

“The company is offering severance and outplacement resources to all those that lost their job,” said McQuade.

Everyone hates the idea of losing jobs but these days it is inevitable. Our country’s economy plus the amount of people living in America including the living standards of each individual equals disasters similar to the one like Ideal’s. Jobs are cut to continue the company’s status on the success food chain; it is upsetting but it is the truth.

Outplacement is job search training. The company has a group attend a two-day session of lessons in learning how to be interviewed, making resumes and how to get ready to start the job search once again. Severance packages are also available. Employees pay in subsidized amounts and can also elect COBRA — a continuation of benefits up to an 18-month time period.

It is good to hear that options are still there. It is understandable that this time for families cannot be easy. With the company providing what it can during this hard time, we should really be thankful.

“The company is well run,” said McQuade. “We are excited to see Jim James — the new CEO — continue his thinking for the company’s future.”

The company seems to be prepared for its new direction towards management. They have a plan and are ready to take action. For the employees that lost their jobs in this change of pace, we can only wish the best of luck.

“Losing a job in this economy cannot be easy, it is hard enough to find jobs in Sycamore,” said Sycamore resident Barbara Johnson.

Hopefully, one day, cutting jobs won’t have to be the outcome. For now we have to stick together, help a friend out in need, take all of the opportunities we have available and continue to have faith that one day our country will be there to support us. Our goal as a whole should be to never see another struggle. All we can do now is work our hardest to create a sustainable standard of living for our generation and the next.