Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
The technology centre Leitat, with a total workforce of 506 employees and research centres in Barcelona, Terrassa and Valencia, has proposed an employment redundancy file (ERE in Spanish) for a total of 115 workers. Initially, Leitat announced last 15 March 2024 an ERE for a total of 160 workers which, after an initial agreement with the workers' representatives, has been reduced to 115 redundancies. Specifically, Leitat plans to close imminently the WeLab centre, located in Barcelona and dedicated to the biotechnology sector.
According to company sources, the lay-off process is part of a new strategic plan that aims to recover the economic viability of Leitat, since the technology centre has accumulated losses of 27 million euros (of which 22.7 million euros come from WeLab). Meanwhile, the trade unions represented have expressed their opposition to the ERE and have demanded a negotiated solution to ensure the continuity of the activity and jobs. In this regard, the unions recall that Leitat's turnover increased by 13% in 2023.
Currently, Leitat receives public and private contributions and is led by several representatives of the technological and business world.
Eurofound (2024), Instituto Tecnológico Leitat, Closure in Spain, factsheet number 200950, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/200950.