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.
Braun, the manufacturer of electric domestic appliances, which belongs to the group Gillette, announced on 19 May 2006 the closure of its site in Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona) where blenders and mixers are manufactured. The closure will take place between September 2006 and January 2008 and production will be offshored to Poland. The company management has announced that the aims of this offshoring are to bring down costs and increase productivity. The company and the trade unions have been negotiating from the beginning of July 2006, but the process has been very tense and the trade unions went on strike on 10 July 2006. On 21 July 2006, the company and the trade unions got to a pre-agreement. Braun offered early retirement to staff above 48 years old, which would cover around 500 employees. Braun also offered the staff aged 45 to 47 a monthly payment of 1,000 Euro until retirement if they cannot find another job. The employees accepted the pre-agreement on 6 September 2006. The final figures suggest that there will be 440 pre-retirements and 321 direct dismissals.
Eurofound (2006), Braun, Offshoring/Delocalisation in Spain, factsheet number 63747, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/63747.