Business Restructuring
In today's fast-paced business environment, companies often face the challenge of adapting to changes in market conditions, stakeholder expectations, economic fluctuations, and competitive pressures. To thrive in such a dynamic landscape, organizations must periodically review and realign their strategies.
Leaders are aware of the uncertainties ahead and seek strategies that minimize costs and risks while maintaining the potential for growth. Traditional downsizing methods, while sometimes necessary, can have negative consequences such as losing vital talent, eroding specialized knowledge and customer relationships, and damaging the brand, which can hinder future recruitment efforts.
Our approach equips clients with the necessary tools to restructure and streamline their operations effectively, reducing these risks and preparing them for sustainable growth. Importantly, our model also allows organizations to scale their capacity and resources flexibly in response to unpredictable market conditions.
Our expertise lies in coordinating comprehensive restructuring initiatives from start to finish. We assist business leaders in formulating strategies, developing new organizational structures, negotiating with unions and works councils, planning workforce transitions in compliance with local laws, managing large-scale exit dialogues, and creating outplacement strategies for displaced staff.
At every stage, we prioritize securing the engagement and support of the workforce, which we believe is crucial to the success of any restructuring effort.
Closure of a manufacturing site in Belgium
Sector: Food
Service: Business restructuring
Context
Our objective was to develop a closure plan, which involved creating budgets, conducting a social impact analysis, and assessing the legal implications.
The challenge lay in balancing the impact on our employees and the need to continue operations, which was crucial for our customers.
Approach
We first designed our closure strategy based on our values and business principles.
We recognised the impact on our employees and aimed for a smooth and respectful site closure.
We designed a plan based on the social impact analysis and legal aspects and developed this plan in collaboration with the management, unions, and works councils
Impact
Although tense at times, the process was never derailed. The closure was delivered on time and within scope.
Despite the emotional impact on our employees, the feedback was positive because we addressed personal concerns, which was important in minimising the social impact and achieving the right engagement from both sides.
The collaborations between our teams, the unions, and the works councils were evaluated positively.
Closure of manufacturing site in Belgium.
I led the business closure specifically related to all the HR aspects, led key HR workstreams, and consolidated across them. Our teams developed and rolled out a closure plan to minimize the social impact on our employees.