Wärtsilä will start the execution of the restructuring measures in the Netherlands following a positive advice from the works council and approval of a social plan. The restructuring includes the closure of the propeller production in Drunen and component production in Zwolle. Adjusting the whole organisation to the current market developments means 570 jobs to be reduced in the Netherlands from a total of 1500, as announced in January. The entire restructuring of the production will be finalised by the end of 2010.
The future focus in the Netherlands will be on R&D and services. Wärtsilä will develop a Technology and Services Centre in the Drunen area. Also the Dutch training centre of Wärtsilä will be part of this Centre. This unit will employ approximately 300 persons.
On the 19th of January 2010 Wärtsilä announced a plan to reduce its industrial footprint in Europe with the target of reducing 1400 jobs globally and transferring activities to China due to market developments. Part of the global plan was the closure of the propeller facilities in Drunen and engine component production DTS in Zwolle.
Other restructuring
Various restructuring measures in other locations have been carried out during the spring. Temporary lay-offs are currently underway in Finland and Norway. In France Wärtsilä recently announced a plan to close the Mulhouse workshop and reduce the workforce by 116 jobs. In addition to this readjustment programmes are ongoing in a number of countries globally.
For more information:
Fred van Beers, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Netherlands
Tel + 31 651573521
Kari Hietanen, Group Vice President, Legal Affairs & HR, Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel +358 40 754 4363
Atte Palomäki, Group Vice President, Communications & Branding, Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel +358 40 547 6390
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2009, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.3 billion with more than 18,000 employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com
