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.
As announced on 15 November 2025, the German robotics manufacturer Kuka, part of the Chinese Midea Group, plans to cut 560 jobs at its headquarters in Augsburg, Bavaria, by the end of 2026. A sharp increase to the initially planned 400 layoffs. The company cites the difficult market situation for industrial robots and a lack of orders from the main customer, the automotive sector, as reasons.
The company begun reducing staff in early 2025, cutting 300 jobs in production and 100 jobs in the holding company. The restructuring exercise is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. According to Kuka, the job cuts will be implemented in a socially responsible manner.
Kuka employs 3,200 people in Augsburg and around 15,000 worldwide.
Updated, 30/01/2026: After negotiations with the works council and IG Metall, around 50 fewer jobs will be cut at Kuka than originally announced. The reductions will also be carried out in a socially responsible manner. Mandatory redundancies are ruled out until the end of July 2029. In total, 509 positions are now set to be eliminated at Kuka.
Eurofound (2025), Kuka, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 203694, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/203694.