Garmin to cut 141 local jobs in first-ever layoff

I appreciate this wonderful post!!

seo company

Hope things could be go better in the near future, for Garmin and for all other enterprises and people.
Poaolo from Terni in Italy

very good post

Casino Online

Bingo Online

They must have cut too many tech support agents. I have been on hold for 45 minutes.

They should develop their tech support website better. They don't even list my model on it, and the search function does not work properly.

casininio casino online Risorse sui cartoni animati ei fumetti con personaggi, giochi online, immagini e gif, cartoline musicali, sfondi desktop, musica,Casino online

The effect of financial crisis had a terrible effect on us. We should do something about this.
alarm systems wireless security systems

"Why would you cut a position that is probably needed now, more than ever, for the current employees - rather than cutting a position that is in pursuit of those not hired yet. (recruiters for depts laying off)"
----------------------------------------------

Actually, they will probably need these recruiters in the not too distant future. I think Garmin's strategy is to, over the course of several layoffs, cut their payroll by eliminating employees that they feel make more than what the current job market pays for their positions. I look about and see that it looks so empty around here. We've lost some really good, long term staff. If we got busy now, we don't have enough staff to handle it. I think that they will eventually start hiring for these positions again once business picks up, but for lower wages.

With the recent push at Garmin to monitor employee's health to save on insurance costs, which has been said to cost the company over 20 million dollars per year, I wouldn't be surprised if people who use their health insurance numerous times are some of the people getting laid off. Dont' believe that nonsense that it's based on last years employee reviews. I can see now why we weren't allowed access to our latest reviews after they gave them. Some did get them, but alot of us weren't even allowed to get a copy from the supervisors, much less retrieve them from the computer. Those that were internally online were quickly pulled off, as if they had been put up their by accident. Didn't want the laid off employees comparing notes, did ya guys? Why am I not surprised? Employees were told in meetings last week not to spread rumors about layoffs because Garmin wasn't laying anyone off, then come Monday....layoffs. Not cool, guys. It's better to not say anything rather to put employees through that.

I understand that Garmin needs to make some cuts in staff. What has hurt employees so much was that when they started they were led to believe that this company wasn't just your standard company to work at. It was a "family" atmosphere. It's common to see new employees come in and say how great it is to be at Garmin, only to hear them state a few weeks later that they feel they had been lied to because the environment was actually worse than the job they left. It really depends on where you work. If you are in the upper tier, it's a really good place to work. If you work in the lower tier, it's everything that past posters have said.

It is very different from when Gary was still here. Now Garmin has Min's personality on it. We've joked around here in the past about how it seems like he is trying to mirror how they operate things in Taiwan. Now it seems like a nightmare come true. Min is a nice guy in person, but he is a true businessman at heart, hence the ax on the employee rep (he's not really interested in what we have to say). He knows how he wants to run his business and will do what it takes to keep the company profitable. In order to do that he probably has to keep himself distant. As much I understand how cold-hearted business can be, it is difficult to hear about the employee with Cancer being escorted out who will now have to struggle with losing his insurance and paying 35% of his replacement Cobra insurance, without a job and only his severance and unemployment to rely on. Or the two 70+ year old employees that had been here for so long being told they no longer were employed here. Guess I wouldn't make it running my own business.

How all this suits the individual depends on their expectations. But that is a double-edged sword as well. Employees will refuse to show loyalty in return. Perhaps the company will eventually move most of their operations to Taiwan or maybe the will sell the whole kit and kaboodle to a bigger company, who knows.

I think that some fat has to be trimmed, but I agree that getting rid of the strong employees that any business relies on heavily on because of money is a mistake. Personally, I don't consider them an expense, I consider them an asset. But that's just me. Thanks for listening to my rant. Hope I didn't bore you all.

Whew! Thats a lot of people who will lose their job. I hope everything will get to normal someday.
pinnaclesecurity.com

....it's Time.com.

Cut, paste, and google the following:

why circuit city busted

It's the first link and talks about them getting rid of all their experienced employees as being part of their downfall.

They just closed their remaining stores this last weekend. The company is officially no more. Why would you expect their website to still be up?

Google why circuit city busted

No, nice try on your part..ace..or may I call you Strawman? Really, you do have a flare for twisting what someone says to suit your point instead of addressing the actual content of what was said.

You were asked to provide proof of your hyperbole about Apple consumers being rabid and mindless. Your proof was your personal experience, which I believe to be true. But it is not based on any factual evidence beyond your personal experience, so with regards to your initial post, stop trying to pass it off as anything more than that.

The only disgusting thing I see is your attitude towards people who choose a product you personally don't like and generalizing that they are idiots "(Mac-heads don't really pay attention, anyway)". The truth be told, I don't use Mac either for the very reason you stated, but I don't consider Mac consumers to be idiots either, rather a niche that a company can make money off of. Your arrogance would fit in well at Garmin.

If a company's attitude towards the competition is to state that they are only successful because their customers are idiots (i.e. your attitude towards Mac), then that company will find out who the true idiots are. Unfortunately, a very similar and arrogant attitude towards the competition has been displayed by so many at Garmin and now it has cost them more market share than they should be giving up.

The Nuvifone is a perfect example of this. People who tried to speak up against underestimating Garmin's competitors were quickly shut down. The cold hard truth is that consumers/stockholders expect the leader in GPS to put out a dependable, innovative, affordable product ahead of the competition. The Nuvifone debacle failed to deliver on this, and the stock as well as the company's reputation, partially suffered because of it. People went to the competitors, instead. How can you compete with Apple and Blackberry if you don't have a product on the market to compete with them? The Nuvifone defenders can call me whatever name they wish and say I'm full of it, but until it hits the market and outsells all of it's competitors, Nuvifone defenders have nothing but hot air to back up what they claim.

My initial comment was not a celebration of people's lives being ruined this week, Strawman. However, you are welcome to show me my actual text where I stated that. My commment was directed at those who are taking other people's bad experiences at Garmin and stating that they are just lying. It is a tactict designed to shut down dialogue that they don't agree with. People should be free to comment without being attacked by Garminites. I also did later state that the "Garmin Sucks!!" comments had no place on this board, either. Also, their comments reflect the very attitude at Garmin that they say doesn't exist. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

I have to agree with previous posters that timing in business is everything. I think the Nuvifone will be a good product, but it's numerous delays have hurt Garmin's profit making potential. It really did need to be up and running when it was introduced at the shows over a year ago. These shows are extremely product interactive and to show up to two shows in a row a year apart from each other and still not have a working model doesn't impress those you need to impress. The fact that it is up and running now isn't going to make much of an impact to the current market with the competition already having something similar out there. Now it will be a luxury purchase released into a more competitive environment coupled with a bad economy.

The electronic industry is very competitive. Models come and go in one quarter. You can't expect to wait 4,5,6 or more quarters to introduce your product to the market and not have it affect your profit margin. If you don't believe me, I've got a warehouse full of 8 track players I can wholesale ya!! (exaggeration intended)

I did not invest in stock because I read beyond the local media hype of Garmin and realized that it was taking a tumble. The whole industry is, due to market saturation. I worked at Garmin up until I left several months ago and can verify that the what people are saying here about some of the problems at Garmin are true.

I can also tell you that this is much more than just "trimming the fat". Some people who have been there for a long time, busted their tails for this company and gave 100% dedication are being let go as well. More than likely because Garmin feels they make too much money and their true goal is to drive down their overall wages paid. I agree with a previous poster who stated that these are the people who helped build your company and they should be the one's you rely on to guide your way out of these tough times. Anyone who thinks that this is a good long term strategy only need to research one of Circuit City's obvious failings...

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1858079,00.html

Good luck to all my Garmin friends, I am truly sorry for what you are going through. It breaks my heart to read about what has been happening the last couple of days. Stay strong.

You must be one of those stupid people! I was talking to some of the people lucky enough to still be at GARMIN and the stories that are coming out are heart breaking... people crying in their car for hours afraid to tell wife he lost his job. Husband and wife both getting the axe on the same day, devistated that both bread winners are jobless very well soon to be homeless! Manager letting people go and then himself let go too! HEARTLESS!!!

When will a man have the heart, come down from his tower, to talk to the people, share his concerns, understand the people? It is clasic of corporate to say "it's business decision, nothing against you" if that is true then the decision maker should recognize that they are the leader and take responsibility instead of chopping off these peoples livlyhood. What I mean by responsability is cut his wages and earnings then everyone with him sacrifice. It's compared to a sinking ship does the Captain throw the crew off to the sharks or does he use the crew to fix the damage and possibly save the ship, crew and his own life? So, GARMIN LOVER is GARMIN a sinking ship? Is throwing the crew off to the sharks the best decision? Or are their other options?

Let me ask you about buying GARMIN stock. Would you invest in a sinking ship?

Actually, this event was not planned that far in advance. The only thing done ahead of time was the booking of the space. This, of course, would have still given the option of cancellation with a deposit returned or forfeited depending upon the time of cancellation. Other than that, concepts were discussed but not finalized or spent. There was not a feeling that things "were secure" when this event was planned and paid for.
There was an obscene amount of things cut for the show of saving money (such as sweeteners, tea, etc) while not cutting the things that were extravagant to begin with.
For example, the "care" packages that are sent to interns even this past year had more gifts enclosed in hopes of "winning" over prospective students then most full time employees are ever given. I know this because I have a family member whose roommate received such a package.
Plus, the concept that a rep for employees was cut from HR rather than those in charge of recruiting for positions not being hired for shows alot about where the priorities lie right now. Why would you cut a position that is probably needed now, more than ever, for the current employees - rather than cutting a position that is in pursuit of those not hired yet. (recruiters for depts laying off)
Any wonder why things are going the way they are? The drastic measures that are taken to have things remain the same will forever keep Garmin from making the changes needed to benefit all involved. Unless the management of departments is strongly shaken up, they are destined to continue in a self destructive path...Makes you wonder why, in this economy, one can look closer to see a good number of quality employees voluntarily walking away this past year...

I like Garmin. You might not agree with me but Garmin is a very unique place. Where else can you go and the old CEO (Gary Burell) would know you, your children(s), and spouces names. It always amazed me that these two wonderful people Dr Min and Gary put together a company and kicked Honeywells butt. Awsome Avionic Packages. State of the art. Some day Garmin will be the stars again. Stock is cheap, you might want to get some. Garmin has just about zero debt. I am sure you would agree that letting people go is one of the hardest things you can do. I am a business owner myself. I know Gary from way back. Garmin is one of a kind company. Very hard to put that kind of tallent together. Just think this is the first time in 20 years for a lay off! How many times does Sprint layoff or Honeywell????? I feel so sorry for the people that had to go today. I would not wish that on anyone. I am sure the people that had to give them that bad news did not like it. I wish these people well. There are lots of companies hiring right now if you just look in the right places. Of course you can always start your own thing... I recomend finding something for your bread and butter first and then incorporate. The company if built right can last a life time.

GOOD LUCK!

"Not all of the consumer units are made in Taiwan. Please get your facts straight before spewing anything further."

Um, for the most part, they are. The only consumer products manufactured in the US are the aviation products. And take a guess why this is? Anyone? That's right, because the FAA requires that all aviation products used in American planes be manufactured here in America. Otherwise Garmin would ship this labor to cheaper places like Taiwan just like every other company. Providing jobs to the country your company is based in is much less important than profits. At least they keep the support here in America, but one wonders if that is only to avoid customer complaints about language barriers.

Have a power of 9000. Please beware

"Anyway, this is my best guess will save the company over 5 million this year. Not much I guess."

That's what I figured too.
36,000/year average x 141 people = 5,076,000

Salary + Benefits,Insurance,Etc Cost...
50,000/year average x 141 people = 7,050,000

I heard Mrs. White got let go. I was sorry to hear that. I haven't worked for Garmin in ages, but I still remember L.A.L.A.!

They weren't going to have that event. However, you have to start planning and making arrangements very far in advance to put something that huge on. It did cost over a million dollars... and they also told us it was the last one they'll ever have. They said when they decided to book the space and begin the planning, they felt the economy was ok. They were wrong.

Anyway, this is my best guess will save the company over 5 million this year. Not much I guess.

I work here... I'm waiting to hear my doom... But I'm a garmin supporter. I'd hate to lose my job here because it is a great company. We'll see..........

In case you want to see where Garmin is spending their money, you should crash the Garmin "Prom". In January each year they hold a "Holiday" party. They rent the OP Convention center, have food and drinks and give out door prizes. BIG prizes! From $50 gift cards to big screen tvs and trips. Usually over 100 prizes total. In the past, the million or so they sunk into the prom was probably a nice bonus to the staff but to hold one this year was a stupid waste of money. Could have used those funds to give bigger bonus to the workers or keep in the bank to no have to lay off any/as many as they are.

I took this quote from another post, so credit is due its author.

"I'm sure everyone in technical support has a lot of pull as to when products are released, or how the stock performs. I'm sure the people who work in manufacturing are the ones attending the board meetings and planning product development."

People in lower tier positions were viewed as they had no perceived "vested interest in the company beyond their jobs." That is part of a larger problem.

As the article stated the layoffs were among some of the lowest tier jobs and are people that companies view as most expendable, as they offered little to the to the company and endanger profit margins.

When a company goes through a hiring binge in a weakening economy it is typically a show for "The Street" and share holders at all levels. This type of cover up is nothing more than a rampant display of hubris.

I cannot blame those in key positions. My guess is that most came up through business during the cold war. A time where information was given to subordinates on a need to know basis, vertical integration was ridged, and the leadership model was that of "command and control."

The cold war ended and the vast majority of businesses were not ready for the change to the more amorphous and fluid business model that today's environment demands. Organizations today need to be more horizontally integrated. Gone are the days of building fiefdoms and centers of control. It no longer fits.

I'm not certain that this layoff, for Garmin, was the blood letting that they needed. Again, it was only lowest tier personnel. If it were a true shake down or cleansing it would have been at all levels. Hubris and cold war business ideals seem to be all pervasive in this lay off.

I think that management, at all levels, may be best served with real, constructive ideas. Many books like "The World is Flat" and "Leading Change" would help them to shake business models of the past that are outmoded, outdated, and no longer serve the company, its employees, and share holders.

Status Quo, complacency, and the memories of past performance are difficult specters to shake. Let's hope that they can bring about the necessary change to succeed in the future without having to run to someone to merge with or be purchased by.

This is a company not a wellfare office. I am not saying that to insult anyone, but what is the goal of any firm in a competitive market? To maximize profits! If a company needs to lay people off to do this than so be it. I work somewhere that has just layed off and cut to part-time around 4,000-6,000 positions. Luckily my job was not one of them. So just remember when you think you are bullet proof you aren't. If you think someone cares because you are black, hispanic, white, pregnant, young or old; they don't. If you for one second think that your company would not cut you in a hard situation, your are wrong.

So nice try there, ace. I've just been around Mac customers enough to know how they act. Not all Mac users are rabid fanboys, but really? A GPS company doesn't release Mac software (though, the important point is that THEY HAVE - it took some time but they LISTENED to their customers and you can't count them among those companies that don't offer a Mac solution anymore) and you're ready to celebrate when it starts laying people off? That attitude is disgusting. I'm not here to debate Garmin's business decisions (Mac-heads don't really pay attention, anyway), but it's a shame when people lose their jobs and benefits. Apparently not in your opinion. But still - look how ready you were to take an anonymous internet comment to mean that an entire company hates Mac. No, the company doesn't. I do. I find it obnoxious that Mac users (often) have a conceited, holier-than-thou attitude. I think it's annoying that (for the most part) they expect everyone to cater to them, when they made a purchase decision knowing full well that there would be compatibility problems with a lot of software.

When you work in an industry around both types of users, you see these things. I'm not saying it's an exclusive truth... To be honest, I'm not even here to debate. I just think it's really sad how happy some of you are to see a local business struggling or laying people off. Being upset because you invested in a stock and it dropped out doesn't give you an excuse to act like a total jerk when that company starts shedding jobs.

Wow, did I say all of that? Too bad you didn't quite understand me. Let me state it another way. If your experience at Garmin has been a good one, then great. What I get tired of seeing are people who come on here with legitimate gripes about Sprint, Garmin, ect. and being called haters, liars, ect.

Now if someone is just coming on here and saying "Sprint sucks!" or "Garmin sucks!", then I'm with ya, it has no place on this board. But honest opinions and experiences shouldn't be subject to being attacked, period. While they may not be able to always provide proof as to whether or not the things they say happened, you cannot provide proof that they didn't happen. These things may not have happened to you and I refuse to believe that you know the experiences of thousands of current and former employees over the course of several years.

I don't know much about what Blackberry guy said with regards to Garmin and Mac, but you really should provide proof to your claim that somehow Apple has been able to manipulate so many minds as to rabidly buy only the things that Stevey baby looks at. Otherwise, your claim means nothing. I guess I could say the same thing about Garmin customers, too. But that claim would also mean nothing.

To look at any part of your customer base with the attitude of "So what if it took a bit of time? You don't realize that Mac customers make up a relatively small share of the consumer electronics pool..." is going to send your customer base to the competition so fast it will make your head spin. Try saying that to a customer's face and see what happens. Customers don't want your excuses about Apple being difficult, they want results.

And please, enough with the self-appointed spell check, as though we are to believe that you never make a spelling error. Your attempt at showing a person to be ignorant because of a misspelled word is a stretch...and also the sign of someone who doesn't have any real facts to debate with.

Of course, all these people on here are just lying to make your life a living hell, right? You are the only sane voice on this board, right? Garmin can do no wrong, can they? It's always the employees fault, right?

Links were provided to back up the other claims on this board. If you care to provide any proof that they are inaccurate, them by all means, provide it. If you can provide proof that the stock didn't take a nosedive months before the recent crash, then again provide it. Oh, I guess they are all lying as well in one big giant conspiracy against you and Garmin, right?

You are the only one providing us with unsubstantiated $#@#$@ Internet. And since you are right here matching me post for post, it seems the $#@#$@ Internet IS your life as well.

"To bad people like you folks never learn, you just attack those who disagree with you. Well, you can put icing on a pile of dog doo and call it cake if you want, that doesn't make the rest of us want to eat it...and that doesn't stop the layoffs from happening."

Too* bad you don't realize I'm only attacking the people who are reveling in these layoffs as if everyone affected represents every decision in the company you disagree with. I'm sure everyone in technical support has a lot of pull as to when products are released, or how the stock performs. I'm sure the people who work in manufacturing are the ones attending the board meetings and planning product development. That's a good reason to jump up and down and celebrate others' misery, no?

*- PS: Too has two "o's." :)

@ the iPhone / Blackberry guy - I've worked in the Mobile industry for some time. One thing that iPhone users don't realize is that their phone is neat, but it's only a success because Apple has done a good job recruiting a customer base that is so rabid against everything non-Apple that they'll buy anything Steve Jobs looks at. As I recall, Garmin was one of the first to add Mac support for most of their GPS software. So what if it took a bit of time? You don't realize that Mac customers make up a relatively small share of the consumer electronics pool, and Apple isn't very easy to work with as far as making customized applications goes.

Keep jumping up and down celebrating people losing their jobs, though. It makes you look really classy.

One simply is called "The Internet," and is a revolutionary source of truth and information delivered instantly to anyone willing to make a small effort to obtain it.

The other is called "The $#!@#$@ Internet," and is a cesspool of lies, deception, misinformation, and just plain bitter people who refuse to see that the problem may well be themselves and not everyone else in the world.

This thread is classic "$#@#$@ Internet." It is so full of unsubstantiated garbage about Garmin and its staff I don't know where to begin.

But hey, any fool can post on the $#@#$@ Internet without an ounce or shred of proof, right? Never mind the people who still work at Garmin that you're slandering by doing so, who have families of their own to support.

If Garmin is such a bad place, why not just let it fail on its own and move on with your lives? Oh, wait, this is the $#@#$@ Internet, it IS your life, isn't it?

Well, it seems like the "don't say anything bad about Garmin" folks are in full force tonight. Are you sure some of you aren't former Sprint workers?

If you want to believe that the recent economic downturn is the ONLY reason Garmin has seen a downslide and needs to cut it's workforce, well then go right on ahead. I agree with a previous poster, it's chuckleheads like you who refuse to see your own faults and cost the rest of us. Even with your house ablaze, you will not call the fire department. Instead, you stand there proudly covered in soot and ashes refusing to believe there is a fire.

To bad people like you folks never learn, you just attack those who disagree with you. Well, you can put icing on a pile of dog doo and call it cake if you want, that doesn't make the rest of us want to eat it...and that doesn't stop the layoffs from happening.

"If you're stupid enough to judge anything by the stock market today, I don't think anything can help you."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're stupid enough to be unable to see that Garmin's stock was sliding well before this collapse, then there is nothing I can do to help YOU. Funny how you twisted that into something I didn't say. The stock was falling like a rock well before this last quarter and the recent stock market crash, understand?

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstocks/archive/2008/04/30/what-s-wrong-with-garmin.aspx

Don't even get me started on the 2 year long problem Garmin has had with developing software for Mac...or the Nuvi antenna and software problems. Garmin has it's own hardware and software issues as well, but listening to you, no one would ever know it.

As for the Nuvifone, time will tell if it's the quality product you say it will be. I hope it is. But don't be so naive as to think it won't have it's initial problems, as all new products do. The problem is that the competition got there first and is several generations into their new product and a year plus head start on working those problems out. The Nuvifone has yet to go through that. To stay ahead you have to put the best product out there as quickly as possible. Failure to do that hurts company credibility.

Maybe the Nuvifone is going to be a good product, but it needed to be that over a year ago. People saw the problems with the delay last year. Coming to the party all ready to dance doesn't cut it if the dance was held last year. Garmin had a window of opportunity to make a nice profit off of it, and it has dwindled. That delay has cost the company millions, yet you seem to casually ignore that. That delay has cost the company credibility, and you choose to ignore that. If you plan on running your own company, then all I can say is don't quit your day job.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=8059

You can choose to belittle and ignore important facts, but the consumer doesn't. I guess it's asking too much of you to take a couple of minutes with a search engine for research yourself, huh? It's your type of arrogance that has been previously described on this board and is costing the company. I've heard too many times in the hallways that the I-phone and Blackberry are crap, but until you put a phone out there that beats them in quality and outsells them, you aren't convincing anyone, including consumers. Consumers look for many things in a company, and hot air, which you seem to have an abundance of, isn't one of them. So, why don't you knock off your crap and take a couple of minutes to Google that, my friend.

Unfortunately, in the past, Garmin employees who have families were frowned upon if they didn't work tons of overtime. Trying to balance work and family was looked upon as a lack of dedication to your job and the company by some supervisors. Complaints to HR did nothing to change the situation. It's not like we didn't expect to work it when demand called for it. Garmin was slow to hire enough employees for the demand and by the time they did start hiring, the profit margins started to take a nosedive and they weren't needed. Plenty of us shook our heads in amazement last fall when the workload was much lighter, we knew we were going into a recession, and we saw groups of new employees being marched through the company for orientation while we were struggling to find something to do.

One of Garmin's main problems is the lack of a cutting edge product that no one else or very few are putting out. Just about everyone and their brother are putting out personal navigation devices now. To be competitive, you must stay ahead of the competition. Since one of the trends for GPS is to put them in phones, we all really thought the Nuvifone was going to be that cutting edge product. 1.5 years and several delays later, it still won't hit the market until sometime this year and by then it will probably be an expensive paper weight. It will be a good product, but it's too little too late, the competition has been there done that. Add to that the recent downturn in aviation, which is truly Garmin's bread and butter and an area where they shine like no other, the company has taken it on the chin.

And yes I believe they did lay off a pregnant lady, because it's not the first time they've pulled something like that. I knew someone there who was pregnant, took FMLA, had the child and came back to work. She later developed complications and had to miss some work. When she came back from being in the hospital a second time, she was let go.

Unfortunately for Garmin employees, Garmin's fast growth during a time when there was little competition led to arrogance in upper management. Many people who worked there truly believed that no one else could equal or beat us, and it cost us. You see people on this board who will not accept any criticism of Garmin, as though it is like some Godlike creature they worship. A powerful lesson has been learned here, and that is not to underestimate your opponent i.e. competition. It's unfortunate that the employees who will pay for this blunder are the one's who were looked down upon as trouble makers for trying to point this out to management in the past.

Good luck to you guys being laid off, I hope you find something soon. Hopefully I won't be joining you.

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstocks/archive/2008/04/30/what-s-wrong-with-garmin.aspx

"$120 a share, now it hovers between $15-20 a share. How many times has the Nuvifone been delayed? At a recent electronics show, reporters weren't even allowed to hold it and try it out, plus it crashed when the Garmin rep tried to show it off. When it does come out later this year, will it offer much more than what Blackberry and I-phone, as well as others offer?"

iPhone GPS is great isn't it? Wait... It's not even good enough for street level navigation. You do sound like a bratty Apple kid, though. Have fun with your POS Blackberry Storm too. I guess delaying a product so it is high in quality is worse than releasing a phone so terrible that a majority of its users have to reset the phone or install a new OS every other week. The "recent" show you mentioned was what, seven or eight months ago? It was just demonstrated hands on for a number of reviewers at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The M20 even was called "Best in Show" by thestreet.com (http://www.thestreet.com/story/10464493/1/garmin-nuvifone-best-in-barcelona-show.html). I guess two minutes with a search engine is too much to ask for research, huh?

"Garmin did extremely well with limited competition, but now they are being passed up by more inovative companies, and that is all on them. Maybe you don't see it that way, but Wallstreet and Garmin stock prices disagree with you."

If you're stupid enough to judge anything by the stock market today, I don't think anything can help you.

To the guy who said "go work at Taco Johns..." Why would you sit there and say that? I wonder how many people actually realize that 141 real people are about to lose a decent-paying job and benefits? Why would you revel in that? Knock off the "Garmin sucks" or "Garmin isn't innovative enough" crap and realize that another set of families in the KC area is going to have to sweat the next several weeks due to a rotten economy.

Yes, I agree. After making billions of dollars, why would they change their habits now?

Garmin has a history of making good and bad decisions, mostly bad when it comes to internal management. As a past employee, I saw countless examples of ignoring blatant problem people while they crapped on or removed their best people. They simply shifted "problems" around. Just think of how much $ Garmin has made in the past (Isn't Min a BILLIONAIRE? And Gary retired quite well.) and now they are contributing to the enemployment pool. Sadly I'm sure they will leave the wrong people in wrong places and get rid of the right people in the right places. Why would they change their habits now?

Well, if it is true then it is a sad thing. However, to criticize a company for this is to say you want them to base their retention on decisions made outside the workplace. I certainly wish we had a fair world, but we're not there yet.

It may have said that but they let over 50 people go today, including her.

Nice try, but they announced that layoffs do not begin until Tuesday (tomorrow).

how about the young, single, girl they just let go today that is a couple weeks away from delivering her first baby. class act garmin.

Are any of us really that gullible to trust any politician, whether Republican or Democrat? If you honestly think that one party is really any better than the other, then you're living in a dream world.

Sure, you vote in Obama and now you want to go to Canada. I agree with the person who said go. Go, and then don't come back to elect another worthless politician. I can't believe you are surprised that he's already broken his promises. Are you really that gullible?

Also from a former employee (who left on their own)

Incompetence at the mid-management level in all department has unfortunately become the current state of the company. Growing too fast without looking at who was actually going to make crucial decisions is a sign of things to come long term. Those people will still be there though.

You know, as I sit here with my stomach in knots waiting to find out if I have a job tomorrow, you take the time to suggest we go apply at a taco johns. Most of us are educated with several years in the technical field. We don't make 50,000 a year, but we do make pretty good money with great benefits.

But hey, thanks for making it seem like we can take a 300 percent pay cut and still support our families.

Re:No, I do ot work in HR

I never said that the current state of the economy is all Garmin's fault. At least address what I said.

The economy has some fault in this, just about every company is laying off. But Garmin's problems started well over a year ago before this situation hit dire straits. Their stock at that time was over $120 a share, now it hovers between $15-20 a share. How many times has the Nuvifone been delayed? At a recent electronics show, reporters weren't even allowed to hold it and try it out, plus it crashed when the Garmin rep tried to show it off. When it does come out later this year, will it offer much more than what Blackberry and I-phone, as well as others offer?

Garmin did extremely well with limited competition, but now they are being passed up by more inovative companies, and that is all on them. Maybe you don't see it that way, but Wallstreet and Garmin stock prices disagree with you.

...is hiring. Not sure that they can take in 140 people, though. Maybe a little at a time. Churn's heavy in that line of work.

As a former Software Support employee for Garmin I hope they realize that when they start laying off their customer service staff, it's just like they're chopping off their own foot. One of the main selling points for Garmin's products was the unrivaled level of support a customer received along with their purchase. At least when I worked there...

Still, it's a relatively small layoff when compared to the thousands of people other companies are having to send packing. I just hope the friends I have there still have a job next month.

PS - I also agree that moving the Support operations to a different facility was a mistake even if the "suits" didn't like to mingle with the jeans wearing Support crew. Which idiot was behind that plan I wonder...

Way to stick to the topic. Go to Canada.

Not all of the consumer units are made in Taiwan. Please get your facts straight before spewing anything further.

No, I do not work in HR. And this is the first time I have ever said anything. Yes the current state of the economy is all Garmins fault. I am actually one who will proabbly be let go in the next few days. I have had no problems with anyone since i have been here, everyone has been friendly and know what there doing. That is why I concluded that you were either a former employee who may have been fired, or just had a bad experience with someone that works in product support. But to say this is Garmins fault, or that the hiring process is bad, you are off base.

"Glad your experience has been good, but don't come on here with the expectations that it has been that way for everyone."
After carefully reading this, I would assume you are a former employee.

And while the pink slips are being handed out, a nation waits for a miracle.

This tax-filing season, my husband and I are paying the combined $60,000 we owe in federal taxes to our home state of Wisconsin. We refuse to pay another dime in federal taxes because the money would be put to better use here at home.

We will no longer pay for the War in Iraq, bailing out banks that continue to lose money (we do business with a credit union) or for pork projects that are tacked on to spending bills only to get congressmen to vote for them. Wisconsin can take the money or leave it. If the IRS doesn't like the idea, which we're sure they won't, then we'll pack up the kids and move to Canada, where my husband is originally from.

We'd love to stay here in a country that has been through so much and remained the #1 country to live in. It's not just the crooked CEOs and politicians that made us consider leaving, it is also the lack of resolve on the part of my fellow Americans. We were ecstatic at the election of a new president, especially after eight years of watching our respect throughout the world dwindle and our jobs disappear. We got a raw deal and we accepted it. We watched as our kids were sent off to war by a president whose only motive was personal gain. Now we have a president who has failed to live up to his promises, who is giving away our federal tax dollars to failing banks, a congress that is slow to act and an economy that is on the brink of collapse. So where do we go from here?

If we decide to leave for Canada, it will be a one way trip. We'd like to be more optimistic, but pride is now a foreign concept to us. Our kids are still growing up, so they won't notice much of a difference. I can only hope that you, the American people, will one day throw off the blinds and finally see the truth, and act. You live in a democracy and in a democracy, it's the people who call the shots. You can launch a federal tax revolt like we're doing or you can wait and hope for a recovery that may not come any time soon. It will take more than a protest or a flurry of letters to your congressman. It will take a revolution. Good luck.

Sincerely,
Heather Czerniak
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

You obviously are not very informed. George W. Bush handed over a $1.3 trillion deficit to Obama. Also, the $300 billion that was given to the banks was also done by George W. Bush, and he did it with no strings attached. Also, although Garmin's headquarters is here in Olathe, they have a significant presence in Taiwan, as all of their consumer products are made there. Please get your facts straight before spewing your political rhetoric.

As a current employee in the Product Support department, I can say this has us all scared and sad. I will also say the hiring process is pretty through on they hire quality people. However, they continued hiring people when the economy started slowing. Our X-mas bonus is normally a full months salary... this year it was 200 dollars. We were all grateful for that. We sold more units last quarter then any other time in Garmins history, yet this happens. Granted, units use to sell for 400 now go for half that. Still, it seems there are ways to save money and avoid this. Why not ask us to take a pay cut or work a reduced schedule. Now we'll have to go and jump in the already long unemployment lines.