Layoffs at Xe (formally known as Blackwater Worldwide)

[sabra]

Source: WIRED News

More trouble at Xe, the newly rebranded incarnation of Blackwater Worldwide: The company has just undergone a round of layoffs as part of a larger reorganization of its business.

In an e-mail to DANGER ROOM, Xe spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said: "The company's ongoing reorganization has unfortunately required some staff reductions. These actions, while difficult, are part of a continuing effort to ensure the best value to our customers, and improve the company's efficiency."

While Tyrrell did not provide specific numbers, this is not the first time the company has been forced to downsize. Last year, the company laid off an undisclosed number of workers after the company failed to make the cut in the Pentagon's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle contest. The former Blackwater had plans to break into the manufacturing business as part of a strategy to diversify its business and reduce its dependence on controversial, high-end close protection contracts. The company recently announced plans to train pro athletes in self defense; it also continues to do less-known work, like low-cost, low altitude airdrops to supply U.S. troops on the ground in Afghanistan (pictured here).

Xe was dealt another blow after the Iraqi government declined to renew the company's operating license. The company had a major task order in Iraq to protect U.S. diplomatic personnel as part of the State Department's Worldwide Personal Protective Services contract; it now looks as if the State Department may be hiring more in-house security guards.

Read more: http://blog.wired.com/defense/2009/02/more-trouble-at.html

[notadmblnd]

1. Why would manufacturing need hired killers?

To protect the idiots that ran the companies into the ground from those whose livelihoods and lives they have destroyed?

The sooner this company files chapter 13, the better.

[formercia]

6. They need Xe to deal with whistleblowers and other troublemakers.

Corporations and wealthy individuals have been doing this for a long time. The Pinkertons are a good example of 19th Century 'Security.'

[LiberalFighter]

12. Like Pinkerton use to.

[alarimer]

17. And this is one of the reasons people are afraid to join unions.

Corporations send their hired thugs.

[fujiyama]

13. Wouldn't Chapter 7 be even better?

Then it would be liquidated. Or maybe I'm getting the two mixed up.

[notadmblnd]

15. Chapter 7 is just reorg isn't it. Chapter 13 would dissolving the company. No?

I could have it backwards.

[jmowreader]

21. You have it backwards

Chapter 7 is liquidation, Chapter 11 is wage-earner reorganization, Chapter 13 is corporate reorganization.

I've heard of companies liquidating in Chapter 13, but if you file Chapter 7 you have to.

[notadmblnd]

24. I can be dyslexic that way. Sorry.

[happyslug]

26. Chapter 11 is Corporation reorganization, Chapter 13 is Wage earner Reorganization

TITLE 11—BANKRUPTCY
How Current is This?
# CHAPTER 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS
# CHAPTER 3—CASE ADMINISTRATION
# CHAPTER 5—CREDITORS, THE DEBTOR, AND THE ESTATE
# CHAPTER 7—LIQUIDATION
# CHAPTER 9—ADJUSTMENT OF DEBTS OF A MUNICIPALITY
# CHAPTER 11—REORGANIZATION
# CHAPTER 12—ADJUSTMENT OF DEBTS OF A FAMILY FARMER OR FISHERMAN WITH REGULAR ANNUAL INCOME
# CHAPTER 13—ADJUSTMENT OF DEBTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL WITH REGULAR INCOME
# CHAPTER 15—ANCILLARY AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CASES

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode11/usc_sup_01_11.html

[stubtoe]

2. Oh great. More loose mercenaries running around.

I'd be happy to see the company go away completely though.

[pattmarty]

4. I'd second that thought.

[Brother Buzz]

19. Time on their hand, blood money stuffed in pockets, and an attitude that may jibe with society

These boys will make the 6 and 11 o'clock news.

[DCKit]

3. With the Republics out of power, their revenue stream is drying up.

:nopity:

[tridim]

5. Let's hope KBR and Halliburton suffer the same fate.

[wroberts189]

9. Yes..this is some good news nt

[Blue_Tires]

7. they are nothing without the pentagon $$$$ backing them up...

just a bunch of rednecks, psychos, and wayward criminals....

maybe they will get into piracy as a new venture

[HopeHoops]

8. This Xe thing reminds me of what happened with a certain performer's name change...

He went from a one word name to being described as "The artist formerly known as Prince who subsequently changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol". I guess filing his tax returns was getting to be a bother because he goes by Prince again now.

So, now we have news from "The corrupt war profiteering company formerly known as Blackwater which subsequently changed its name to what sounds like a video game console model". Same stinking pile of dog shit.

[DCKit]

10. No, it's "Christ-y", like Xmas. n/t

[xiamiam]

11. bullcrap...they protect the elite who stole the money...this is suspicious..nt

[KamaAina]

14. Quick! Fly your stealth jets up to DC and ask for a bailout!

:sarcasm:

[Javaman]

16. So what happens to out of work mercs?

:scared:

[nc4bo]

18. oh I'm sure they'll become poster children for some WS group

I hear they're looking for a few good'uns w/prior military experience.

:scared:

[sarcasmo]

20. Good!

Thanks to the person who gave me my heart, :).

[jmowreader]

22. Check out Blackwater's JLTV

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/news/blackwaters-new-jltv/

I saw the Blackwater MRAP, the Grizzly. It didn't look so hot.

[Canuckistanian]

It's "formerly", not "formally"

Formally, they're still known as "Xe"

[Canuckistanian]

23. It's "formerly", not "formally"

Formally, they're still known as "Xe"

[cap]

25. the key thing is to shut down the training

Xe trains a lot of folks -- US Military, State and local cops, military all over the world, private security types.


Too much influence.