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.
On 12 July 2017, the German chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck announced it will close four of its Life Science divisions in Germany by the end of 2022. The affected sites are Eppelheim, Steinheim (both Baden-Württemberg), Hohenbrunn (Bavaria) and Berlin.
Currently, an estimated 640 employees work at the affected sites. They will be offered positions at other Merck sites. Expectations are that overall 200 jobs will be lost as a result of the closures.
At the same time, Merck will invest 90 million Euro in other Life Science divisions in Germany, Swiss and France.
The German Mining, Chemicals and Energy Industrial Union protests the decision and claims the economic figures of the affected sites are good.
As of July 2017, Merck employs about 51,000 staff members worldwide. An estimated 19,000 work at the Life Science division.
Eurofound (2017), Merck, Closure in Germany, factsheet number 91480, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/91480.