I feel compelled to express my opinion and shed some light on the facts that the non-Winmar employees do not know. We as the management team of SWS have been including the employees of Winmar in every step of the processor of operating Winmar as we get the facts. We have had meetings with the employees that included legal council and the Bankruptcy Trustee so that everyone is on the same page with what is going on. The “bashing” of Winmar is obviously being fueled by a disgruntled ex-employee that is now working as our competitor as evident by the tactics used to inform current employees by sending ‘anonymous’ emails and text messages directly to their personal cell phones and email accounts. The bashing is an attempt to raise concerns for the current Winmar employees and making my management team and myself appear as if we a corrupt group. Readers can form their own opinions about someone hiding behind anonymous posts and exploiting the pain of employees who lost their jobs to fuel their own career.
Here is what is going on with Winmar. Winmar is a successful company that had grown to a significant and successful business prior to being sold to Soporex. I have looked at the financials from start to finish and have been impressed at the success of the company. Impressed so much that I decided to rebuild this entity and continue to supply jobs to over thirty employees. I can assure you that Winmar was not the cause of the failure of Soporex. Rather it was inept management and a rather blatant disregard of financial responsibility by the directors of Soporex, which nobody denies. I have NOT looked at the financials for the pharmacy side as I am not privy to that information and thus cannot make a statement about the stability and viability of that company. My guess is that there was certainly some loss of reimbursement with Medicare cuts that added to the problems but Winmar is NOT to blame. I stand behind this statement and as proof I have committed myself as president and CEO of SWS that will revive Winmar.
There are many misconceptions on this blog that need to be corrected. First, in bankruptcy, the COURT controls everything including finances, equipment, and reimbursement. In contrast to an earlier post, the Trustee has the authority and the responsibility to operate a viable business even after a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. The sole purpose is to try to preserve as much value as possible in order to pay off the creditors, which include the employees of Winmar and the other Soporex entities. When I stepped in, the court approved our interim management proposal because the Judge, the Trustee, the creditors and Winmar’s employees determined that this was the best option to maximize the assets available to the creditors. You can read about this on the bankruptcy filing as with any bankruptcy, it is public information. I believe there was a link to this filing on the previous blog page.
I completely understand the frustration of ALL employees of Soporex. What Soporex did not only to their employees but also to their clients is unforgivable and borders on unethical. At the time Soporex filed its bankruptcy petitions, Winmar had studies scheduled for several pre-mature infants that were already in the NICU. For Soporex to suddenly cease operation and lock the doors to these infants was horrific. I have been in the medical field as an audiologist and prior as a paramedic for over 14 years and this is a blatant abandonment of patient care. As a parent I can only imagine the pain and stress this caused for these families. What should have transpired was to have the other sleep company in town take over care immediately or to allow these patients continued service up to discharge. Instead they filed chapter 7 and ceased operations thus not allowing Marcia Nelson and her team to continue to provide services. Continuing to provide services with the use of the now “court owned Winmar” would have been illegal. Another note: Marcia Nelson ALSO lost her job that day the same way as the other employees did. She IS also a victim here. The other victims are the contracted hospitals and care units. To suddenly have services discontinued for 10 days without ANY prior notice is unacceptable in any business especially relating to medical business. I completely understand their frustration with Winmar as the ‘face’ company for Soporex. Our goal is to continue to work with our contacts and continue to provide our services under new ownership with the same loyal employees.
Sleep Wellness Solutions (SWS) is a brand new company NOT affiliated with Soporex in any way. We are working with the court in salvaging Winmar and maintaining its contracts. The legal process of keeping, obtaining, and seeking contracts has to be left to the legal council. Once the bankruptcy court has made its amends with creditors and investors we intend to put Winmar to rest and continue operation with Sleep Wellness Solutions. Previous posts have stated that without our employees, SWS would not exist. I could not agree more! The reason that I proceeded with the purchase of SWS is solely due to its employees and management! I have personally known and worked with these employees, some for over a decade. My confidence in them profound!
It is unfortunate that someone was not able to pick up the pieces of the pharmacy component of Soporex as there are still many without employment. I do wish the best for these individuals as they should wish the best for our employees attempting to put back their careers after such a corporate disaster as what we have witnessed with Soporex.
The purpose of my posting is more to thank the loyal employees of Winmar in holding firm with the new ownership and their patience is much appreciated. We will continue to hold meetings with the entire group as we have been doing as we acquire information from the bankruptcy court. In the meantime, as you already know, we are committed in providing continued service and will certainly answer any question you have. You already know how to get in touch with me or just simply walk across the hallway and meet with me personally! We will continue to have a transparent approach with management as we have been doing throughout the purchase process. There are no guarantees in life and that includes this new venture. However, given the track record of Winmar (prior to the involvement of the morons in Dallas) it was a highly successful business. My commitment is to continue and grow this business from the ashes of Soporex.
I want to be sure that Winmar’s employees who continue to show amazing commitment to the company they built understand that I fully support their efforts. Many of the posts on this site are hurtful and I want Winmar’s employees to know we are here to support them. It is obvious that at least one troubled individual wants SWS to fail, I simply ask you to consider who will benefit if SWS fails? You, the employees? The patients? Our clients? Our competitors? As we have stressed with the employees, everyone associated with Winmar/SWS needs to make their own decisions based on the best interest of them and their families. I just want you to know that many people have stepped up and put their names and reputations behind our efforts to save this company. On the other hand we have anonymous posts, emails and text messages that may all be coming from one source. For me, I have made my choice and I am committed to you and our shared goals.
I do NOT intend on checking this blog or continuing dialog with NON-Winmar employees, as our business at this point does not concern them. But rather I will be happy to discuss any matter personally with any Winmar employee so they are “not in complete darkness”. I do wish the best for all ex-employees of Soporex. And again I say, THANK YOU for being a loyal employee and having faith in this new venture!
Sincerely,
Matthew T. Frisk, AuD
President/CEO
Sleep Wellness Solutions, Inc.