Landus has recently announced companywide cuts affecting multiple locations across the company, with various position levels affected by the layoffs.
About 10 percent, or approximately 60 of the company’s Iowa-based workforce was notified Friday, Jan. 17, they were being laid off, effective immediately.
Matt Carstens has president and CEO of Landus for four years. of the co-op. He referred to the cuts as a “strategic decision”, and not a result of financial difficulties.
In a video provided to Landus members Friday, Carstens said Landus is leading in creating the change needed to “become the ag retailer of the future.”
Carstens said all the details aren’t yet known “…but we do understand it starts with people. We have to have a team of people that believe, have that positive attitude, who want to be here for this journey.”
He said he is very confident of Landus’ financial stability “and the journey that we’re on from here. So, yes, we did have to make some tough personnel decisions that are never easy.”
He continued saying that Landus is working to take costs out of the business so farmer/members can make more on their farms. “This is a step that had to happen, and is a hard step. But we can’t to get where we need to be without doing hard things for you, as your cooperative.”
Carstens encouraged members not to listen to rumors, but to come talk with someone at the coop.
“Those of you who have engaged with us… know first hand what we’re about and the passion we have to help change ag retail for all of agriculture starting with our farmer/owners,” he said.
No Landus locations will be closed. Affected employees have been offered a severance package and career services to find new employment.
