Quick Link: Olan Mills

"Gutted for my friends"

Hi all, 
 
I have been reading all the threads on here and my heart goes out to everyone that has lost their jobs at the worst possible time. 
 
I worked for OM for 20 years and left last December, ironically a year to the day that OM closed down. 
 
I know all the original directors well and was one of the Directors in the original buy out so feel pretty well qualified to state that there is no way the OM directors would have sold employees down the river. 
 
When the Americans sold the business to the Management team it was in the belief that a new management team could take the business forward as the USA had a completely different business model. 
 
The USA company went through massive change some years ago and were forced to shut nearly 1000 stores in order to concentrate on their church and in store business, and are now doing well but at a painful cost. 
 
I am with Cat, the industry is in a very strange place at the moment and another casualty to add to the list was Ilford..remember them? 
 
I know lots of the names posted here and sincerely believe that Employers will snap you up in the New Year.There is a world of opportunity out there, may not seem it now but I am living proof of it. 
 
I was a definately "lifer" at OM and still miss everyone I had the pleasure of working with. 
 
As a final observation, many of the Directors came in after the initial buy out! They put hard cash into the business knowing that the Company was having a terrible time. I refer to Paddy, Paul Neck and Jon T. 
They deserve some praise as they have lost thousands plus their jobs, cars etc. They tried their best to find a buyer and failed! Give them some credit for trying. 
 
If you worked with me or for me, you are more than welcome to ask employers to request references from me. I can give you the contact details if you email me at adamsonpaul@lineone.net 
 
It's a tragic situation and I hope you all find work in the New Year. 
 
Best Wishes 
 
 
Paul A