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Ascend Performance Materials

Engaged Employer

Sinking Ship - Can't Say Ascend Performance Materials Employee Review

2.0
Oct 3, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Still a good employer for the remote area.

Cons

Endless slow rolled layoffs. Management laid off some low performers, which was way overdue, but cut a lot of top performers based solely on high salary. Every layoff round causes more work for whoever is left and causes talent to leave. This company pursued inorganic growth through a series of debt fueled & rapid acquisitions to boost revenue and prep for an IPO. Covid hit and the bad M&A moves were exposed while the IPO dreams fell flat. Please don't come work here right now. The risk is too high of being fired even for great workers. 401K match is cut, and we have not had a bonus larger then a Wendy's coupon in several years. We will not get a bonus this year or next, so remove that from your offer letter with the 401K match. Also, our DEI initiatives are destroying the company. Clueless people are climbing the management latter rapidly because of demographics. All these layoffs and the most useless functional group, HR, only had one token layoff and it was one of the only nice ladies I'd ever want to talk to in that group. A lot of people probably blame this on Phil automatically, but us minor employees don't know really how at fault he is. What I can say for sure, is that he surrounds himself with idiots. IDK anyone smart that does that.

Explore other reviews about Ascend Performance Materials

5.0
Mar 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Really good culture with everyone

Cons

The company is not doing good financially

4.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- 401k match is above industry standard - New CEO doing things differently. Seems to be working so far. - Refreshed focus on plant reliability - No longer going after pipe dream projects with no immediate benefits. - Good base pay

Cons

- Lots of turnover, doing more with less - Still recovering from CH11 - No real bonus in years

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