Linamar Reviews in Kitchener, ON Area

Pros

Seeing to the top is easy. After a reasonable amount of experience you are allowed opportunities to work directly with upper management provided you are competent in your abilities.
In last few years the company has taken steps to improve communication that has been an issue in the past.

Cons

The flat hierarchy, though beneficial to keeping closeness with management, also appears to muddy the path to promotion.

The pay may not be comparable to competitors in the market, but considering Guelph vs. near-Toronto with respect to living costs it isn't that far off.

Advice to Senior Management

Expansion in recent years has been exciting. It also can make current employees feel less valuable because their positions are 'old'. The "catch of the week" program is exciting - and recognizing people at 'old' facilities more often could help make people at those plants feel more important. Perhaps those plants could use a reminder that the type of improvements they're making are "catch of the week" worthy.

Pros

Initiative and good performance is rewarded and can gain your co-workers' and manager's respect. You have the opportunity to work with people from many different parts of the world. You occasionally get to travel to meet with suppliers/customers. You have a measure of independence and a sense of personal achievement.

Cons

There is a very high level of stress involved at all levels in the company. That means tempers run short sometimes and your manager may not have enough time to address your concerns or look over things you need him/her to approve in a timely manner. Management is very cheap and they sometimes take decisions that damage the company's image and customer's trust in order to cut costs. There are quite a few employees who do the work of a higher position but they do not get promoted to it or get paid for all the qualified work they do that is not part of their job.

Advice to Senior Management

Focus more on good customer relationships and promote honesty in all dealings because mistakes do come out in the end. Increase salaries and benefits in order to improve employee retention and satisfaction.

Pros

Entrepreneurial culture. Good and very diverse group of people through out all the plants. Good attitude amoung employees and management.

Cons

It is a family owned company so there is a glass ceiling. Management is overwhelmed. Its in the Auto Industry - not the best times currently.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more open with your employees and continue the hard nosed engineering and business culture that has made this company great and successful.

Pros

The pay was quite decent if you've been on for a long time. Newer employees are getting the shaft, as they're left on contract for longer and longer terms. Also, the benefits were nice, but I'm not sure how that is panning out in the new world of economic turmoil. I really enjoyed and fully used the dental plan.

They also have a 3% pension plan.

Cons

Very boring, stagnant work. As a machine operator you generally feel, and likely are, very unappreciated. It is no secret that you can be replaced by anyone.

New workers are left on contract far too long. This saves the company money by prolonging the time before they get paid "piece work" and benefits.

As it is primarily dealing with auto parts, layoffs are frequent and sudden.

Advice to Senior Management

More communication with employees at the lower end of the ladder, as well as more should be done scouting for workers with potential.

Pros

Large global automotive parts maker - It is the second in North America. Everyone knows about the problems in the automotive industry, the company has diversified in both automotive (both heavy duty and light duty) and other industries like green energy, consumer products and rental/lease equipment. The company cares about their employees. The company is also using the various six sigma tools like Lean Management and performance reviews. Performance of the company is tied to the stepping stool bonus that people receive. In the shop the people receive a bonus based on the quality and quantity of product. Remember that even in these tough times this company still has a positive cash flow.

Cons

Due to various lay-offs a lot of knowledge has also disappeared in the company. There is no job security, management only looks at the bottom line to create a positive SVA. Although companies complain about the cost of business no mergers have been announced. The companies are too specialized to merge and large parts of factories are empty or under utilized

Advice to Senior Management

Keep people with special knowledge available, either on contract or on mixed duties.

Pros

They supply a paycheque and own your soul

Cons

They are a sweat shop. They sadly overwork you and they even bring in labour ( Guys ) from Hungary and work them 12 hour shifts , 7 days a week for 6 months straight. When this crew is done their 6 month stint they send them back and bring over another group of slaves.Upper Management believes in threatening their employees and Supervisors to get you to spend as much time their so you don't have a life. Also a while back Linamar did a company wide employee evaluation ( They called a " Skills Matrix " ) on the employees on the floor and Supervisors. This was brought in to evaluate everyone as to their Knowledge , skills , education , etc. The employees filled out the sheets themselves and Upper Management was to give you a raise accordingly. What this turned out to be was a way for upper management to fire anyone who was deserving of a larger than normal rate increase. To save them money. They replaced you with a sucker who earned a lot less than you did.

Advice to Senior Management

I feel sorry for you all !

Pros

The wages, well back then.
I have no more to say, just the place was very friendly easily to get along with the co-workers. The shift was steady, they don't mind staying in there shift if one person, have school or kids, etc.
They teaches you the basic stuffs and make you improved as the time goes by.
Also they have continuing school for others, like English as a Second Language (ESL), for the new comer. Some they can continue/upgrade on there skills.
The events they gave us is also good, like picnic, Canada's Wonderland, etc.
Thanks LINAMAR. SMILE SMILE.

Cons

Too many hours, too smoky, well back then.
I wish they recruited me back after the layoff, when I try to come back, they have no reasons. Sad.
Well that's my downside, I don't have much downside, I had alot of good time with that companies.
I have one more thing, don't over work this employees, last time I was there, my old co-worker look so old, and there not even in there 40's, lol.. Because there is no Union Labour, maybe there just work too much and too much stress. That's my opinion. L I N A M A R. =)

Advice to Senior Management

COMMUNICATE MORE, YOUR NOT THERE WHEN WE NEED YOU!!!!!