Pros
Leadership has been able to keep the company afloat even though its a highly leveraged in debt during the credit crisis and automotive sales slump. Recent layoffs were pretty on the mark eliminating players who were not significantly contributing to the company. Employee Initiative is great although there is not a good amount of momentum behind any of their efforts.
Cons
The company has lost its sense of identity lately with the recent voluntary retirements. The old stalwarts leaving the company opens up some opportunities, but pushing people down from management and supervisory roles has left many disgruntled. Because of the recent downsizing of the company, many who worked in other groups have now been given projects which people were working hard to pursue and set their sights upon. Recent actions leave many to believe that there may not be much room for upward growth in their job. People are just happy to have a job at this point and are not satisfied to be a Sensata employee. As with any downsizing it has been difficult but I believe the SLT has been very upfront in their harsh outlook at how covenant loans need to be met and how the company will take any actions needed to stay within those loan covenants, employee's and workplace environment be damned. Although I believe that type of outlook has allowed the company to stay solvent (and even generate cash) in this tough automotive marketplace.