Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Netherlands
Region
Zuid-Nederland; Noord-Brabant; Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant
Location of affected unit(s)
Eindhoven
Sector
Professional Services
Scientific, Architectural And Engineering Technical Activities
Scientific Research And Development
72.1 - Research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering

118 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
9 January 2018
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date

Description

The Dutch developer and manufacturer of lighting systems Philips Lighting has announced the loss of 118 of its 350 R&D jobs located on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven (south Netherlands). The restructuring is said to be part of a shift in focus of the company from traditional lighting to lighting systems using the Internet of Things. The request for dismissals was sent to the Works Council, which has yet to officially approve it. The trade union for technical professionals VCP, has expressed its surprise at the restructuring, as restructuring was expected to occur much sooner, in 2016, when Philips Lighting split off from Philips.

A spokesperson for Philips emphasises, however, that 80 new people were recently hired to facilitate the shift in focus. An official of the largest Dutch trade union FNV, has expressed concern for the highly specialised persons losing their jobs, but underlines that a good redundancy plan exists that will remain in effect until the end of 2018.


Sources

  • 9 January 2018: fd.nl
  • 9 January 2018: ed.nl

Citation

Eurofound (2018), Philips Lighting, Internal restructuring in Netherlands, factsheet number 93000, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/93000.