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.
Manufacturing Manufacture Of Basic Metal And Fabricated Metal Products Manufacture Of Basic Metals 24.53 - Casting of light metals
199 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
2 June 2011
Employment effect (start)
1 September 2011
Foreseen end date
31 December 2011
Description
On 2 June 2011, the management of MBF Technologies informed its Works Council of the intention to cut 199 positions. After the announcement, a number of employees have prevented access to the site and forced two managers to stay overnight at their offices.
The group suffered from a significant decrease in turnover from 287,6 millions euro in 2008 to 193,7 millions euro in 2009. Some 76 positions were already cut in the summer 2009. The new plan affects the plant of Saint-Claude in the east of France, where 450 are employed. The restructuring is to take place due to the difficulties that the automobile industry is facing in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
The CEO announced the restructuring plan to the Works Council, which was contested by the Trade Unions. One day after the announcement, some employees kept two managers during 24 hours inside the plant, to protest against this plan. Since then, employees have been on strike and on 28 June they refused to come to an agreement that has been discussed among social partners, the State and the two main customers (PSA Peugeot-Citroën and Renault) which could have put an end to the conflict. In its last proposal, the management adjusted the restructuring plan which originally envisaged 199 forced redundancies and came up with a new plan of voluntary departures affecting 130 employees. However the workers voted against the new proposal. As a consequence, the management decided on 1 July to place the plant into receivership. Unions now hope for a take over in the next six months.
MBF Technologies is a subsidiary of Groupe Arche (1,700 employees in 2009) and specialises in the design and manufacture of high technology components moulded by high pressure and made from aluminium or magnesium alloy.
Eurofound (2011), Manzoni Bouchot Fonderie Technologies, Internal restructuring in France, factsheet number 72037, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/72037.
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