Ceratizit closes plants: 600 jobs at risk – social plan failed!

Ceratizit closes plants: 600 jobs at risk – social plan failed!

Ceratizit, the world's fourth largest manufacturer of hard metal based in Mamer, Luxembourg, is planning far-reaching restructuring in Germany. The plants in Empfingen and Besigheim are scheduled to be closed by the end of 2026, affecting a total of 600 jobs. The distribution of affected employees includes 230 in Empfingen and 370 in Besigheim. Negotiations on a social plan for employees in Empfingen have now failed. The works council rejected the company's offer, which caused disappointment and anger among employees, according to Georg Faigle from IG Metall.

The closures are justified by persistently high cost pressure, a challenging market situation in Europe and strong international competition. Particular mention should be made of the weaker order prospects for the plants that are heavily dependent on the automotive business. Ceratizit has a total of 15 locations in Germany, although the plants in Balzheim and Kempten are not affected by the closures.

Difficult negotiations and resistance

IG Metall has declared the negotiations for a social plan for the approximately 230 employees in Empfingen to have failed. This decision was announced on July 17, with the union criticizing Ceratizit's offer as inadequate and a sign of a lack of appreciation for employees. The works council was unable to accept the offer and now sees an upcoming conciliation committee as a final opportunity for a solution. This conciliation body, which will consist of a neutral chairman and representatives of the employer and works council, is scheduled to meet next in October.

In Besigheim, where the closure is also planned by the end of 2026, there is resistance to the measures. Discussions with the works council are still ongoing, although resistance has already been announced. The Besigheim site previously played an important role as the headquarters of the mechanical engineering company Komet, which was integrated into the Ceratizit Group in 2017.

The coming months will be crucial in minimizing the impact of the planned closures on affected employees and finding possible solutions. Unions are not only demanding high severance payments, but also a transfer company for the dismissed employees. The fate of the two locations will therefore remain a central issue in the region and in the industry.

For more information about the closures and their impact on employees, read the full reports Picture and Mercury.