Welch Allyn to cut 80 jobs, including 50 in Skaneateles Falls

SKANEATELES FALLS, N.Y. — Welch Allyn Inc.’s new owner is eliminating 80 jobs companywide, including 50 positions at the medical-device manufacturer’s location in Skaneateles Falls.

The layoffs represent about 3 percent of the firm’s global work force of 2,500, and about 4 percent of its employee count in Skaneateles Falls, Alton Shader, Welch Allyn’s new president, said in a company statement issued Thursday afternoon.

No further layoffs are planned. “Employee notifications related to our merger integration are now complete,” Shader said.

Another 22 Welch Allyn employees accepted new positions and/or promotions, he added.

Chicago–based Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HRC) completed its $2.05 billion acquisition of Welch Allyn “earlier this week,” Shader said, noting that he has taken over the top leadership role at Welch Allyn.

“My family and I are settling in to our home here in the Skaneateles area, and I’m looking forward to being a part of, and helping to grow, this amazing company,” Shader said.

Welch Allyn’s former president and CEO, Steve Meyer, will leave the company in October following more than 30 years of service, Shader said in response to a BJNN inquiry.

“Steve’s focus and commitment before he leaves in early October will be to ensure that Hill-Rom and Welch Allyn integrate according to plans. After a short transition period, he will exit the company and move on to the next stage of his career,” Shader said.

Welch Allyn has about 1,300 employees in Central New York and estimated annual revenue of $700 million, according to CNYBJ Research.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com