Mike Gwyther, former Yield House Industries, Inc. Facility Engineer

To the editor:During my five years working at Yield House, from 1994 to 1999, I remember hearing from many long-time employees about their experiences with past ownership changes and economic down turns. They all realized that furniture manufacturing was susceptible to the ebb and flow of the economy. They also were aware that companies are often bought and sold and they usually viewed this change as a "new beginning." They had pride in the Yield House name and the product they put out! However most felt different with Mr. Jeanloz as the new owner. Many saw the closing of Yield House, with Claude Jeanloz at the helm, as inevitable.Many believe, as I do, that had it not been for Jason Cousens as plant manager, and the remaining dedicated employees, Yield House would have closed four to five years ago. Jason and his staff pursued outside contract work and the employees worked their tails off meeting manufacturing and shipping deadlines. All the while, the employees watched Yield House catalog sales and retail stores, once the company's primary revenue stream, dwindle when the Renovator's brain trust (sic Claude Jeanloz) took control down in Millers Falls, Mass. It got to the point that (the) Yield House catalog became nothing but an insert in another catalog.In one final act of defiance, Claude Jeanloz has once again shown his true colors transparent! The last few paragraphs of the Sun's article on Dec. 10 imply that 'with the right person' Yield house could be profitable. I, along with many others, believe the right person/people are in place and with the right OWNER, Yield House could be profitable. As witnessed by many over the years, Mr. Jeanloz has again shown his inability to take any personal responsibility for his actions while looking for someone else to blame. As owner of Yield House Industries Inc., it is time for Mr. Jeanloz to take the bib and diaper off, quit the whining, act like an adult, and take responsibility for his failure.Mr. Jeanloz makes the statement "If I lived up there or could be up there every day, I could make that work." Then why didn't you make it work when you were there almost every weekday from '94 to sometime in late '98. By the way, I thought you had your residence in Center Harbor, N.H.?My first visit to Renovator's Supply, in 1994, I met with personnel in the engineering department. I was told by one of their engineers 'Mr. Jeanloz will promise you the moon, but the best he'll ever do is get you a chairlift ride to the top of the mountain and point to the moon.' It appears in Yield House's case he promised the moon, only to point it out before kicking "them" off the cliff at the top of the mountain, and then walked away. Mr. Jeanloz, next time you stand in front of a mirror ask the person staring back at you some or all of the following questions. Could it be Mr. Jeanloz, that your pricing structure had an effect on Yield House closing? Could it be Mr. Jeanloz, that your shipping charges had anything to do with Yield House closing? Could it be Mr. Jeanloz, that your 'management/ownership style' of ridiculing employees and open threats to relocate the company created a less than favorable work atmosphere? Could it be Mr. Jeanloz, that time and resources spent on "all the other things you do" distracted you from "making it work?' Things such as the Cufflink Museum. Planning for a 7,000 square foot house in Center Harbor on Lake Winnipesaukee. Planning a 100,000+ square foot distribution center on a Superfund site in a flood plain with wetlands (and of course expecting the Town of Conway or the State of New Hampshire to build it for you). In closing I wish the remaining employees of Yield House Industries, Inc. good luck with their future endeavors you certainly deserve better than you've received from Claude A. Jeanloz.