Pros
Some really fantastic successful companies have been acquired, with some great, friendly, innovative people. Flexible working. A helpful and compassionate HR team. Highly valued customers Employees who like to support charities and good causes. Initiative of individuals to collaborate and share ideas & knowledge despite the company's lack of nurturing that.
Cons
It's tuning into a growing, but chaotic corporate monster, with all the integration challenges that go with the typical "buy-to-build" strategy. Many of the really great people that have made successes of the individual companies that Ekco has acquired are unfortunately leaving. There's a focus now on cost cutting and savings, as the loss of sales and quality of customer service causes loss of revenue. For current employees, this means you feel your work contribution is scrutinised, and you have to keep justifying and proving your worth, salary, time. Bonuses and pay-rises have almost disappeared. Loyalty to the company counts for nothing especially when new managers are brought in (and then often go again). The sales teams are frequently changing, and marketing are going through identity crisies thinking that the solution is a frequent change of the logo shape or it's colour palate. HR have recognised there is a problem retaining talented staff (both existing long-termers as well as new recruits), but their hands are tied. Occasionally someone new has a great idea to pull the group together and bring unity and direction. This has the effect of making senior management look incompetent, or one of them ends up feeling threatened, then the manager "making everyone else look bad" gets pushed out again. Low morale and lack of valuing people, or recognising and leveraging talent.