Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Job losses at Meridian Huntingdon (and the state of the economy)

Ok, this is terrible news particularly for anyone directly affected, but this thread has descended into such a slough of despond that I rather regret starting it. The fact is that it's not the first time that Meridian has had to make redundancies and it probably won't be the last. While I accept that they are probably not doing brilliantly in the current economic climate, neither are they acting like a firm in meltdown.

Let's look at some of the active things they have done recently: a complete new line of Sooloos products with a lower entry ticket including a C10/15-like iPad UI that costs nothing if you own a core; a new line of smaller digital speakers and means to drive them; new subs; a free firmware upgrade that makes significant sonic improvements to many products (including some flagship products; an automotive audio product; the anniversary system which focuses on improving the flagship products; opening a number of boutiques in places where people are likely to be well enough off to afford high-end. We hope to see an M80 replacement shortly. Across the board the SQ is still stunning. Not everyone welcomes all these developments but nevertheless the firm is acting very much like it has a future in hardware and software.

There have been bad economic times in the past (anyone remember the three-day week?) and high end audio has survived because there have always been people who care enough about high quality music reproduction. So while this news is very bad for anyone directly affected and obviously bad for M, let's not announce their demise prematurely or talk the firm down.

+1 hecd2

(re finance packages (previous posts), isn't that what got us where we are...)

Tintin

Hear, hear.......

My sympathies are with Meridian........but most particularly with the people affected by the job losses, especially at this time of year

Most here have significant "investments" in Meridian........and like all Investments, we should want them to succeed......constructive criticism is fine, because hopefully Meridian will use it to improve

But continually talking down Meridian does them or our "Investments" no good whatsoever

Tough times yes, for us all. It took me 15 years to achieve my current systems (in parallel to education of three children). I passionately hope that M survive and succeed. Purchasing Meridian was always a luxury choice but the stark fact is that other emerging economies are also today�s consumers of luxury goods. I am certain that the professionals at HQ have a strategy for the future but would not be surprised to see a paradigm shift in new products offered to address existing competitors markets.
From boxes to curves, the question is what's next from Mr Stuart and Mr Boothroyd?
To succeed M must take existing and future market share from competition without losing the established, loyal, committed, customer base. The complete technology, supply and service network must be developed and supported in a financially mutually beneficial way for the enterprise to exist in the future. I respectfully support all who act and respond positively to future developments, this is in our common interest.
The Dodo is extinct, Meridian is not!

hecd2, I agree, I don't think Meridian are in trouble at all, I just think they are looking at their business and have made some pretty tough decisions on which way they are taking the business forward.

Hats off to them for going forward in the way they are, making those sort of decisions is always really hard because 99.9% of the people in business do care about the people that work for them, so things like redundancies are a hellish choice to make, and a lot of firms don't do it even when they know it could be the companies downfall.

Not really, that is people borrowing more than they can afford to borrow, and they can only really blame themselves for that, although, being human we do like to blame anyone but.

There is a big difference between being able to afford to borrow �26000 over a period and being able to lump �26,000 down in cash.

Our country borrowed more than it could afford to borrow...and here we are.

Tintin

But that is a completely different issue.


As I said, only you know what you can afford to borrow.
Gambling with borrowing is why we are here.

But that is a whole new thread I guess.

Exactly, and Meridian is the sort of firm that in all probability really cares about their people. Certainly, in my experience, the decision to make redundancies and implementing them were the low point of my career in emotional terms, but rationally, at the time, it was the right thing to do for the firm and for the medium and long term future of the majority of the employees who stayed; and for our customers and clients; and I'm sure, or at least I hope that the same applies to Meridian.

The world is changing, probably more radically now than since the War; the economic and political power is shifting; capitalism is under threat both systematically and philosophically and it's harder than ever to predict where things will go. The old certainties are crumbling. But I am an optimist and although I am unsettled by these things, I am also excited by them. We aren't headed for a dark age - some of the old markets will decline but new opportunities will arise for those who are nimble enough. We face some massive problems but we also have tools and weapons that no other generation has had before to allow us to pool our intellect and will to solve them. And I think that Meridian has, at least potentially, the products and structure to thrive in the future.

As said before, the 'silly decision' was purely from a selfish point of view, and I do still think it is a silly decision to drop the entry level products, but also understand that it won't have been a decision made lightly.

That is the problem with posting in threads like this, unless you write an essay explaining your post you don't really get over what you want to say.
With such sensitive subjects as this I think taking the time for an essay is probably called for.


I own a company, OK only small with 2 premises and less than 20 staff, but I do see it from both sides and feel for not only the staff but also from the managements perspective.

Personally, I feel for people without enough food to eat or water to drink.

How off topic is that!

Do the redundancies mean M are just making less, or intending to manufacture overseas?

Mark S