Michelin ‘launches major cutbacks programme in Germany,' reports union

Hanover, Germany – Michelin has initiated a downsizing programme in Germany, with staff meetings about the plans being held this week, according to the IGBCE trade union.

The cutbacks would see Michelin 'largely withdraw from the production of truck tires in Germany, and in total impact up to 1500 employees nationwide,' said a 21 Oct IGBCE statement.

Michelin plants in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, and Trier,Rhineland-Palatinate, face closure, while its site in Homburg (Saarland) is threatened with a loss of activities, the union added.

The French group's proposals have been met ‘with massive criticism from the works council and the IGBCE,’ according to the Hanover-based employees’ body.

The plans are “completely incomprehensible to us and will meet with our resistance," sad Matthias Hille, head of the IGBCE district in Mainz, group advisor and member of the supervisory board at Michelin Germany.

‘Locations that are as traditional as they are ultra-modern are in danger of simply being switched off without first systematically thinking through alternatives,’ warned Hille.

Adding that Michelin had not provided detailed data on costs and profitability, Hille said 'general references to overcapacities and markets did not justify such deep cuts' at the German sites.

'All the numbers have to be on the table. And then we will present our own concept and work out alternatives to possible closure plans," concluded the union official.

ERJ has contacted Michelin for a response to the IGBCE statement