Company Has Denied Reports, But Internal Memo Seems To Confirm End Of Operations

Evergreen International Airlines is apparently going to cease operations at the end of the month despite public statements to the contrary.

In a news release posted on the company website Friday, CEO Delford Smith said that business has been adversely impacted over the past several years by decreased demand in military spending and weakness in global economic markets. "Management has moved to aggressively address these challenges, including through the divestiture of businesses and assets and the significant reduction of secured debt," Smith said in the prepared statement. "Evergreen is in discussions with its significant constituencies and is exploring available strategic alternatives with those constituencies.

"While Evergreen generally does not comment on market rumor or conjecture, rumors that a decision has been made to cease operations at this time are false. Evergreen remains committed to continuing to address the current business environment with its customers."

However, an internal memo distributed to "All Evergreen International Airlines Employees" and filed with the state of Oregon under the WARN Act tells a different story. The memo from Evergreen HR manager Monique Gregory, which was posted on the Yamhill Valley (OR) News Resister website, indicates that “The last day of all operations will be November 30, 2013. The loss of our company is very unfortunate; however, we appreciate your continued excellent service during this ending phase.”

The State of Oregon issued a news release about an hour after Smith's statement was posted on the company website confirming that the company had filed the memo under the WARN Act.

FMI: www.evergreenaviation.com/EIA/