1,300 workers wait for company sale news
April 24, 2012 by N/A
UPDATED 9:39 AM CDT Apr 24, 2012
DES MOINES, Iowa –
A British newspaper reported that Aviva USA, which has its headquarters in West Des Moines, could announce the sale of the U.S. division in May.
Aviva USA employs 1,300 people at its headquarters near Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines.
The $43 billion company is owned by parent company Aviva in London.
Reuters said London-based Aviva will likely announce the sale of Aviva USA at a special investor day on May 24.
The Sunday Times said the move is part of a company-wide overhaul and would add up to a $1.6 billion loss.
West Des Moines Director of Community and Economic Development Clyde Evans said he was keeping a close eye on one of the crown jewels in his city.
“There’s always rumors swirling all the time about different things happening, so you just have to wait until there is something a little more solid to go on,” Evans said.
Aviva just built the state-of-the-art headquarters at 7700 Mills Civic Parkway.
“That’s huge. They are one of the top three employers in the community. They add high-paying, skilled jobs, and that’s something we want to try and encourage here in the community,” Evans said.
Aviva USA’s 80-acre headquarters represents a more than $135 million investment. There was also plans to expand the headquarters and the workforce.
Evans said he has not had any specific conversations about the status of the company.
A spokesman for Aviva said the company does not comment on rumors.
A company spokesman in West Des Moines said Aviva USA is a great business, is strong and profitable and has a successful track record of performance.
