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.
Sonoco, an American company specialising in the production of tin can lids, has announced the closure of its profitable Laon factory in January 2026, resulting in 115 job losses out of 128 employees. The decision was made due to global competitiveness and high labour costs compared to Asian rivals. One-third of the jobs and some production lines will be relocated to Sonoco's Nantes site, and two-thirds offshored to Italy and Hungary. The Laon site will be downsized and converted into a logistics platform.
With half of the workforce over 55 years old, reclassification will be challenging, particularly for 40 employees over 57. The FO union strongly opposes the closure, condemning it as unjustified given the factory's profitability and public aid received by the company. The closure is expected to have significant local economic impacts.
**Updated, 20/12/2025: ** Sonoco's management temporarily ceased negotiations and closed the site. They claimed that the agreed-upon negotiation method was not being respected by the employee representatives. Social partners had aimed to conclude negotiations by the end of December. However, management criticised the legitimacy of two employee representatives and shut down the discussions. The new deadline for negotiations is the 16th of January. Following the site closure, management responded to the criticism from employees, stating that the activity would close during the Christmas holidays, but was advanced due to threats. Employees have expressed their lack of recognition. The subject of replacement leaves was particularly controversial among union representatives. Indeed, they fought for adapted leave depending on the employees' age, given that the large majority are over fifty-five.
Eurofound (2025), Sonoco, Offshoring/Delocalisation in France, factsheet number 203458, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/203458.
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