The French group Michelin confirmed to AFP on Thursday that it was considering reducing its tire production in Germany, following the publication of information in the German and French press that raised the possibility of closing two factories with 1,500 jobs at risk.
Michelin justifies its decision by “a context of growing competitive pressure and increasing manufacturing and operating costs in Germany.” “These conversations between Michelin Germany and its social partners aim to explore possible scenarios in relation to this situation” and “no decision has been made at the moment,” the French group said.
Asian competition
“In a context of the energy crisis and Asian competition, Michelin management is considering the closure of two production centers in Germany: Trier and Karlsruhe,” French regional newspaper La Montagne reported on Wednesday. “A third German headquarters, in Hombourg, would have to be reduced” and “1,500 jobs would be affected” in total by this restructuring, according to the Auvergne newspaper.
Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, the Michelin group has been present in Germany “since the beginning of the 20th century.” It employs 5,400 people in all its production centers, the French company stated. In the Hamburg plant alone (new and semi-finished tires), where Michelin has been present “since 1971”, 1,400 people work, according to German media.
According to union sources cited by German media, site staff have been informed of a threat to employment, with around 1,500 people affected by possible job cuts.
Source: BFM TV
