Blue Bird Reviews

Pros

the only pros that i can really say about bluebird is that it has allowed me to take care of my family

Cons

there are to many to list, constantly worried about being laid off, no paid time off, no retirement, no chance for a raise or promotion

Advice to Senior Management

it is not that difficult to see what is wrong with blue bird the management, my area leader know nothing about the job that I do yet when questions are asked about the job that I do he is the one that is asked, for all of the issues that go on at blue bird i have heard let it go from my bosses, don't worry about it, management worries more about the floor being swept then the work being done correctly, ask the employees what is wrong with the company and maybe they will be able to tell you how to build a quality bus, raise morale by doing something for the employees besides cooking hot dogs and hamburgers for us, Most employees that I work with will tell you why should they care they are going to be laid off anyway work the crap out of you then get rid of you the bluebird way. never been treated worse by another employer been their almost 7 years and would quit tomorrow if i could find a job even at a paycut just to get rid of stress dealing with bluebird

Pros

Several of the employees were hard working individuals. Most of the Direct labor force were very friendly. The direct labor employees tried to make the best of their situation.

Cons

Way to many to list so I will address some of the top issues. 1) Basically anyone at a Manager level or above is "stuck" in non-inventive cover their ass mode. In short -- Paralysis. 2) The company is and has been getting rid of all of the talented personnel they had hired over the 2006 to 2007 time period. Only pencil pushing "yes" men/woman are left. 3) Strategically made a major mistake of vertically integrating machining, forming & producing of metal components. Long time "good ole boys" wanted to expand their "empire" so they invested in bricks and mortar type of operations. The long term effect is that Blue Bird will not & can not be competitive with the buses they produce.

Advice to Senior Management

Unfortunately & with all sincerity there is only one way to deal with the Blue Bird situation. Like with any cancerous tumor you have to operate and remove it. In this case the tumor would be any Blue Bird manger with 10 plus years' experience @ Blue Bird. They need to be fired along with any of the "Visteon" management that now works for Blue Bird. Lastly, Cerberus, needs to go ahead and sell Blue Bird and remove themselves from the Blue Bird model. They have killed what once was a excellent family owned company by standing on the shoulders of local leadership and creating a stagnant work experience. They also threw millions of dollars away by hiring outside consultants to recommend and push ideas that were already inplace by the existing Blue Bird employees. Idiots!

Pros

The pay was alright.
Other than that, it was a job. There really isn't much to say that was a pro.

Cons

constant layoffs, very poor decisions by senior management, not able to focus on improving the business, people are treated like cattle always worried about being laid off.

Advice to Senior Management

leave. no one there trusts you and they all think you are incompetent. youre not fooling anyone and youre ruining the business

Pros

1. The office culture is very accommodating to the notion of Southern hospitality.
2. Management is accessible.

Cons

1. Company appears to lack a longterm vision.
2. Layoffs have been common in recent years.
3. Sustainability is questionable.

Advice to Senior Management

Develop and communicate a longterm vision to management and employees. Enhance the working conditions in the factory through investments in ventilation. Build the moral of the Blue Bird workforce.