Thursday, June 01, 2006

Schering Plough - "Chopper" Hassan wields the axe

Schering-Plough has said it will cut 1,100 jobs at its plants in Puerto Rico and New Jersey -- about 3.3 percent of its global work force -- as it reduces operations with excess manufacturing capacity.

All four of the affected plants have improved their quality-controls since strong criticism in 2002 from U.S. regulators. The company earlier this year announced completion of the improvements, made as part of a $500 million consent decree with the FDA.

"The actions we are announcing today are another step in our Action Agenda to transform this company into a high-performance competitor for the long term," said Fred "Chopper" Hassan, Schering-Plough's chairman and CEO.

"Undertaking these workforce reductions was a difficult decision. To support employees who are affected by these actions, we will be implementing a variety of programs as well as working closely with local authorities and communities to mitigate the impacts."

The Street

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