After flooding: Weru closes in Rudersberg and fights for the future!

After flooding: Weru closes in Rudersberg and fights for the future!

Weru GmbH in Rudersberg is facing drastic changes after a devastating flood disaster in the summer of 2022 caused massive destruction to the production facilities. An overflowing retention basin caused enormous damage in the Wieslauftal region, which is now classified as a total economic loss worth around 120 million euros. As a result, the company had to close its production hall, demolish machines and bridges and return the site to the landlord. According to the Stuttgart newspaper, 150 employees lost their jobs.

Managing director Frank Fleissner speaks of the far-reaching consequences for the workforce, which has lost its identity and stability. Many of the affected employees now face an uncertain future. In response to the disaster, management plans to support the remaining employees and possibly create new positions. The company has already relocated production to East Germany and will in future primarily manufacture in the plants in Triptis and Gommla.

Economic and social impacts

Rudersberg, a community with around 11,500 residents, is now facing special challenges. The impacts of flood events are not just physical; According to a study by the German GeoResearch Center, the economic consequences of natural disasters can be significant. In addition to the direct damage, which has been estimated at between 1.5 and 2.1 billion euros in recent years, the indirect damage can occur at almost the same amount. These factors could also negatively impact the local business environment, which could further aggravate the situation in Rudersberg, as mein-stuttgart.com emphasizes.

The emotional reaction among the population is palpable. In Rudersberg there were vigils and public criticism of Weru's management, while some voices from the employee representatives accused the flood of being used as a pretext for the planned relocation of production. The management, on the other hand, does not share this view and emphasizes the desire to stay in the region.

Realignment and future prospects

Weru's strategy now envisages that Rudersberg becomes the strategy center for the parent company Dovista. This not only includes the construction of a new administration building, but also the focus on the efficient coordination of twelve other brands. Those responsible, including the new representative for Germany, Tobias Pfoh, are expecting single-digit growth for 2023 and even double-digit growth for 2026. The new transformer station, which is scheduled to go into operation at the end of November, is also intended to ensure the power supply of the location, which is currently still operated with emergency generators, such as the Stuttgart Newspaper reported.

For the future, it remains to be seen how the situation for the workforce will develop and whether the company will be able to successfully reposition itself. The loss of the production facility has profound consequences and the challenges that Rudersberg faces are unmistakable. Nevertheless, the management is optimistic and plans to use local skills and resources to set the course for a sustainable future.