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.
On 19th of March 2009 the ABB group announced offshoring of the robot production from Bryne to Shanghai, leading to a downsizing of 100 in Bryne in addition to a downsizing of 30 since the autumn 2008. Only development, sales and some service functions will be left in Bryne, giving jobs to 30-40 employees. ABB has around 100.000 employees worldwide, whereof 2000 in Norway. Robots from Bryne sprays around 1/5 of all cars and 8/10 of all pc's worldwide.
The financial crisis has lead to a severe drop in orders and sales, which in turn provoked the decision to move the production in order to cut costs. The union leader critizices the decision, saying to the media that ABB rather should have reduced activity until the crisis is over. He promises to fight for severance packages and to help the employees.
Eurofound (2009), ABB Robotics, Offshoring/Delocalisation in Norway, factsheet number 68525, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/68525.