Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Germany
Region
Location of affected unit(s)
Frankfurt (Oder); Mainz
Sector
Manufacturing
Manufacturing Of Machinery And Equipment
Manufacture Of Machinery And Equipment N.E.C.
28 - Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.
European Globalisation Fund (EGF)
Year: 2013, Case number: 03

1,300 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
18 April 2012
Employment effect (start)
1 October 2012
Foreseen end date
31 December 2014

Description

US Company First Solar, a manufacturer of solar panels, announced the restructuring of its German operations. The manufacturing plant at Francfurt/Oder, eastern Germany, will be closed by the end of the year. A total of 1,200 jobs will be eliminated.

Additionally, the European sales division will be restructured which will involve the shedding of a minimum of 100 posts at Mainz. The European sales division employs a total of 175 persons and 150 posts will go.

The company said that the measures respond to reductions in state subsidies and increasing competition from China.  

As reported, Germany has applied for assistance from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF).


Sources

  • 18 April 2012: Financial Times Deutschland
  • 18 April 2012: Handelsblatt

Citation

Eurofound (2012), First Solar, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 73453, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/73453.