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.
The German household appliance manufacturer Miele has announced 600 job cuts at various locations in Germany. The background to the job cuts is a global efficiency programme called the ‘Miele Performance Programme’.
The 600 jobs that will be cut affect all locations and divisions in Germany. Among other things, redundancy payments and early retirement schemes are to be introduced to reduce the workforce. Dismissals for operational reasons are ‘fundamentally’ ruled out until the end of 2027. However, there is a loophole: if the job cuts fall short of expectations, redundancies can still be made. Part of the washing machine production will be moved to Poland.
In the course of collective bargaining between the IG Metall trade union and the employer side, it has now been finalised that a total of 1,300 jobs will be cut in Germany. Additionally to the 600 job cuts, 700 jobs would be cut at the production site in Gütersloh and relocated to Poland (Miele 2024 - DE). The future and social collective agreement runs from the beginning of August 2024 to the end of December 2028 and provides for investments of €500 million.
The company is still owned by the two founding families Miele and Zinkann and has 15 production sites, eight of which are in Germany. Around 22,700 people work for Miele worldwide; turnover most recently totalled €4.96 billion. The company is headquartered in Gütersloh in Westphalia.
Eurofound (2024), Miele, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 201273, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/201273.