The Energon Pub

[LOST Cybertronian]

Hasbro continues to lay off employees, according to an article which ran last week on Golocalprov.com. Hasbro was looking to expand in 2012 but instead they laid off 125 workers and so far this year 50 which started back in March. First quarter sales are up this year but probably not enough to offset the decline from 2012. With a new movie on the horizon hopefully the Transformers brand can increase revenue further in the coming years.

Several fan-favorite Hasbro employees who have been regular convention participants, such as Aaron Archer, are among the rumored list of employees laid off. We are looking for further confirmation on which employees from the Transformers brand were let go and will report on this information as it becomes publicly known. Seibertron.com wishes everyone the best of luck with their new endeavors during these challenging times.

Hasbro said that fourth-quarter 2012 profits dropped because of lower than anticipated demand in the U.S. and Canada and slow sales of games and puzzles during the holiday shopping season. In a February 2013 interview with Examiner.com, CEO Goldner said, “In 2012, we met many of the objectives we set for Hasbro. Based on preliminary results, we returned the U.S. and Canada segment to historical operating profit levels; we grew revenues in the Games category against our 2012 objective of stabilizing revenues; and we grew revenues in our Girls category. We also experienced double digit growth in our emerging markets business and achieved profitability in most major emerging markets a year ahead of our plan.

According to Hasbro’s report on growth for 1st quarter, 2013 released on April 22nd, 2013, net revenues increased 2% to $663.7 million for the first quarter of 2013 versus $648.9 million for the 1st quarter 2012. The US and Canada segment is up 4%. The international segment remained flat. The entertainment and licensing segment is up 5%. Much of this has been attributed to “cost saving initiatives.” The company is undertaking said initiatives to better align resources and costs while targeting $100 million in annual savings by 2015.

In spite of recent upticks in revenues, layoffs have continued; a sign that restructuring continues. However, according to URI Economics Professor, Leonard Lardaro, “… as a publicly traded company, they will often have to respond to things well beyond whatever deals they might have with the state of RI.

[Bumblevivisector]

Ouch, apparently they do hurt whenever they have to go more than 2 years without a TF movie.

I wonder how this news ties into their pushing more stuff into discount stores?

[Doubledealer93]

yeah, people do love bumblebee that much honest! *sarcasm*

[DEMEXICONZ]

Ouch, apparently they do hurt whenever they have to go more than 2 years without a TF movie.

I wonder how this news ties into their pushing more stuff into discount stores?

Makes sence no wonder they keep making low quality toys at a more expensive price.... makes me wonder wtf is hasbro doing wrong?

[Mkall]

I wonder what they'll say about this at Botcon?

[wewyllenium]

The movies outsource most of their CG works to China and ILM Singapore. It's probably a business decisions that helps them save money because working things up in the West may not be cost efficient for them. Money talks, money kills. I just hope the quality of their output would not suffer.

[Lord_Onslaught]

How is Archer is a fan favorite? I've been hoping he would get fired for years now. Maybe I'm just in the minority there, hopefully he is among those they laid off, get some fresh blood in there. And also whoever decided that Transformers should strictly be Bumblebee does deserve to lose their job.

I really hope this does not effect the release of Titan Metroplex. Hopefully he is too far into production, to be canceled. But then Hasbro did cancel HA Soundwave, as he was sitting in the backrooms of retailers.

[Blackstreak]

yeah, people do love bumblebee that much honest! *sarcasm*

I agree. Maybe if they started producing more characters instead of the same one if 50 versions they might get more profit. Profit they are still making but willing to lay people off to make that profit margin larger. I feel for those people who lost and are about to lose their job.

[triKlops]

This news hit all of us hard in RI as our local economy is already in the toilet as one of the worst in the nation.
Hopefully they stand by their previous promise of a hiring increase in 2013/14, as this is just another blow to an an already crippled local infrastructure.

[Antron]

If they don't produce some actual unique toys/characters for these movies then they may need to hire some people to measure the dust that sits on their products as they sit on the shelves. Lets be honest, most of us collectors already have most of the movieverse figures we want. It saddens me that all of these toys are going for dirt cheap now and I already spent the money to get them when they were originally released.

If they don't make a ton of new characters or completely reformat the characters that exist then they will just be wasting a bunch more time and money. I personally couldn't be less excited for new movie toys. If I ever have to start whacking figures from my collection, movieverse will be the first to go.

So, here's to hoping. Fingers crossed. We'll just have to wait and see.

[ScottyP]

Always sucks to hear about folks losing jobs. Hopefully this was mostly "cutting the fat" and doesn't affect the really creative folks.

[Flux Convoy]

Really hoping they didn't cut Archer loose. He's a very creative guy who gave us some fantastic stuff over the years he's been heading the TF division. Even if you don't love what he comes up with, he was excited about what he was doing. Anyone that wants him gone is making an ignorant statement. The guy had to wear a lot of different hats. Transformers isn't one driving line like G1 was. It probably won't ever be again. You've got to respect a guy that can juggle all the different lines and be man enough to face our endless barrage of criticism and self entitlement every year at Botcon. I'm hoping he's still around and will be for a long time to come.

[Lord_Onslaught]

Really hoping they didn't cut Archer loose. He's a very creative guy who gave us some fantastic stuff over the years he's been heading the TF division. Even if you don't love what he comes up with, he was excited about what he was doing. Anyone that wants him gone is making an ignorant statement. The guy had to wear a lot of different hats. Transformers isn't one driving line like G1 was. It probably won't ever be again. You've got to respect a guy that can juggle all the different lines and be man enough to face our endless barrage of criticism and self entitlement every year at Botcon. I'm hoping he's still around and will be for a long time to come.

And we all have the right to our opinion Flux, I respect those that think Archer should stay. But to me, he needs to go is hardly an ignorant statement. My reasons would start a flame war, this I know so I will not say what they are.

It has nothing to do with G1 being one driving line, and the constant reimagining of Transformers. Which is something I like as it helps to keep Transformers fresh.

[Flux Convoy]

And we all have the right to our opinion Flux, I respect those that think Archer should stay. But to me, he needs to go is hardly an ignorant statement. My reasons would start a flame war, this I know so I will not say what they are.

It has nothing to do with G1 being one driving line, and the constant reimagining of Transformers. Which is something I like as it helps to keep Transformers fresh.

You absolutely do a right to your opinion. Why would you even make such a statement if you won't elaborate though? Surely there's a reason you have such an opinion.

[Lord_Onslaught]

You absolutely do a right to your opinion. Why would you even make such a statement if you won't elaborate though? Surely there's a reason you have such an opinion.

Like I said there are many, and if I started to name them, this place would erupt, simply because two of those reason come from meeting him after OTFCC 2004 and Botcon 2008. Also based off of his horrible designs, and ideas. Even for those of you who like him, I'm sure there is a want for fresh blood in the TF Department at Hasbro.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

You absolutely do a right to your opinion. Why would you even make such a statement if you won't elaborate though? Surely there's a reason you have such an opinion.

Like I said there are many, and if I started to name them, this place would erupt, simply because two of those reason come from meeting him after OTFCC 2004 and Botcon 2008. Also based off of his horrible designs, and ideas. Even for those of you who like him, I'm sure there is a want for fresh blood in the TF Department at Hasbro.

Guys, it's official: "Orson" has left the building. Check Facebook. Or ask Sabrblade.

[Flux Convoy]

Like I said there are many, and if I started to name them, this place would erupt, simply because two of those reason come from meeting him after OTFCC 2004 and Botcon 2008. Also based off of his horrible designs, and ideas. Even for those of you who like him, I'm sure there is a want for fresh blood in the TF Department at Hasbro.

So it's personal then? Again, unless you elaborate, you aren't justifying an opinion. Saying his designs are horrible grants you no legitimate credit in this discussion. You realize he's been on the brand, designing for over a decade? Not everything is going to be a winner. Especially early days like Armada. Let me ask you, have you ever been laid off? It's pretty rough. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. There's nothing wrong with wanting fresh blood in the design team. Cutting off the head seems like the wrong way to go about it though. This would be the second time they've done so in as many years. Eric Seibenaler was the first talent (of that capacity) to be moved off the brand (to Star Wars). We are still seeing the difference in quality and design or feeling the loss. However you want to take it.

Guys, it's official: "Orson" has left the building. Check Facebook. Or ask Sabrblade.

Because Sabrblade is the end all, be all font of Transformers information? I have checked on Facebook. Why do I need to fact check with Sabrblade? I can find my own facts if need be. I don't understand why you're rolling your eyes at me here. I'm having a civil discussion. What's your beef with me? I didn't address you at all.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

If you have Facebook, click this link. If it actually works.

Also, Joe Kyde and Andy Schmitt are among the casualties, while Eric Siebenaler and Bill Rawley are with Star Wars now. Saw the news while rival-site browsing.

[Flux Convoy]

If you have Facebook, click this link. If it actually works.

Also, Joe Kyde and Andy Schmitt are among the casualties, while Eric Siebenaler and Bill Rawley are with Star Wars now.

I've seen it, like I said. I knew about Eric too. I was entirely unaware we'd lost Bill Rawley as well though. That upsets me. I really enjoyed seeing him year after year. I've got fun memories with him. Eric and Aaron too, just yeah. Bill was fun. Damn.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

If you have Facebook, click this link. If it actually works.

Also, Joe Kyde and Andy Schmitt are among the casualties, while Eric Siebenaler and Bill Rawley are with Star Wars now.

I've seen it, like I said. I knew about Eric too. I was entirely unaware we'd lost Bill Rawley as well though. That upsets me. I really enjoyed seeing him year after year. I've got fun memories with him. Eric and Aaron too, just yeah. Bill was fun. Damn.

Hate to see big names go as much as the next guy, even if I never met them. All we can do is hope for the best, that their futures are bright, and Hasbro hires some worthy successors. And that they're well aware they have big shoes to fill.