SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
March 26, 2002
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
CIENA Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
0-21969 (Commission File No.) |
23-2725311 (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code:
(410) 865-8500
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Exhibit Index on Page 2
Item 5. Other Events.
On March 26, 2002, CIENA Corporation issued the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 concerning an immediate workforce reduction and certain associated and other charges. The press release is incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release, issued March 26, 2002 (announcing a reduction in force and associated charges in connection therewith as well as certain dispositions or write offs of assets specified therein).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CIENA CORPORATION
Date: | March 26, 2002 | By: | /s/ Russell B. Stevenson, Jr. Russell B. Stevenson, Jr. Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
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EXHIBIT 99.1
Investor Contacts: |
Suzanne DuLong or Jessica Towns CIENA Corporation (888) 243-6223 email: ir@ciena.com |
|
Press Contacts: |
Denny Bilter or Glenn Jasper CIENA Corporation (877) 857-7377 email: pr@ciena.com |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CIENA Announces Operational Realignment
LINTHICUM, Md. March 26, 2002 CIENA® Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN) today announced an immediate workforce reduction of approximately 650 employees, or approximately 22 percent of its total workforce, as the Company strives to better align its operations and strategic focus with the current industry environment.
The telecom equipment market has changed dramatically in the last year and we have to adjust to those changes if we are to maintain our leadership position in the industry, said Gary Smith, CIENAs president and CEO. CIENAs future success depends on our ability to adapt the way we think and the way we run our business in this dynamic environment.
CIENA estimates that the actions taken today will generate between $145 to $155 million in annualized cost savings, including approximately $85 to $90 million at the operating expense level, prior to restructuring-related charges. CIENA expects that the majority of the cost savings will be in place by its fiscal third quarter, 2002. Affected employees will be paid through May 24, 2002 and will be eligible for additional severance packages. They also will receive outplacement assistance and training.
The Company expects to record a restructuring charge of between $125 to $135 million in its second fiscal quarter associated with the workforce reduction, lease terminations, non-cancelable lease costs and the write-down of certain property, equipment and leasehold improvements. In addition, in its fiscal second quarter, CIENA also expects to record a charge of approximately $200 to $225 million, primarily related to excess inventory associated with its long-haul transport products and purchase commitments with suppliers.
CIENA pioneered the WDM revolution and were leading the optical switching revolution. Our goal is to continue to reshape the telecom industry, creating more powerful, more economically compelling network solutions for our customers, continued Smith. Consequently, we remain committed to investing in key areas of our business as this is not the time to cut back on the efforts that are likely to propel CIENA to a stronger leadership position when our carrier customers resume more normal spending patterns. However, as demonstrated by todays actions, we are carefully prioritizing our spending with an emphasis on opportunity and return on investment.
The actions weve taken today will help facilitate CIENAs return to profitability, concluded Smith. CIENAs grown up in turbulent times and agility has been a key competitive advantage one that is even more valuable in todays volatile environment. Were currently playing from a market-leading, technology-leading position and that position enables us to play to win, not just survive. We will continue to work to leverage our competitive position to the long-term benefit of our customers, our shareholders and our employees.
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ABOUT CIENA
CIENA Corporations market-leading intelligent optical networking systems form the core for the new era of networks and services worldwide. CIENAs LightWorks architecture enables next-generation optical services and changes the fundamental economics of service-provider networks by simplifying the network and reducing the cost to operate it. Additional information about CIENA can be found at www.CIENA.com.
NOTE TO CIENA INVESTORS
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions of CIENA (the Company) that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this release, including, the telecom equipment market has changed dramatically in the last year and we have to adjust to those changes if we are to maintain our leadership position in the industry, CIENAs future success depends on our ability to adapt the way we think and the way we run our business in this dynamic environment, CIENA estimates that the actions taken today will generate between $145 to $155 million in annualized cost savings, including approximately $85 to $90 million at the operating expense level, prior to restructuring-related charges, CIENA expects that the majority of the cost savings will be in place by its fiscal third quarter, 2002, affected employees will be paid through May 24, 2002 and will be eligible for additional severance packages, they also will receive outplacement assistance and training, the Company expects to record a restructuring charge of between $125 to $135 million in its second fiscal quarter associated with the workforce reduction, lease terminations, non-cancelable lease costs and the write-down of certain property, equipment and leasehold improvements, in its fiscal second quarter CIENA also expects to record a charge of approximately $200 to $225 million, primarily related to excess inventory associated with its long-haul transport products and purchase commitments with suppliers, CIENA pioneered the WDM revolution and were leading the optical switching revolution, our goal is to continue to reshape the telecom industry, creating more powerful, more economically compelling network solutions for our customers, we remain committed to investing in key areas of our business as this is not the time to cut back on the efforts that are likely to propel CIENA to a stronger leadership position when our carrier customers resume more normal spending patterns, however, as demonstrated by todays actions, we are carefully prioritizing our spending with an emphasis on opportunity and return on investment, the actions weve taken today will help facilitate CIENAs return to profitability, CIENAs grown up in turbulent times and agility has been a key competitive advantage one that is even more valuable in todays volatile environment, were currently playing from a market-leading, technology-leading position and that position enables us to play to win, not just survive, we will continue to work to leverage our competitive position to the long-term benefit of our customers, our shareholders and our employees, are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof. The Companys actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with the Companys business, which include the risk factors disclosed in the
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Companys Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2002. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Companys expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as anticipate, believe, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, should, will, and would or similar words. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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