ABB Switzerland to close plant, losing 270 jobs
The Swiss division of the ABB power and automation technology group says it will close its electric motor production at Birr in canton Aargau.
ABB Switzerland said in a statement on Tuesday that production would end in the middle of next year because operations of the division were no longer viable. The closure means the loss of 270 jobs.
The company decided to stop production after negotiations with possible purchasers failed. It is looking for a solution for the service business in Birr.
ABB Switzerland, which employs about 8,000 people, said it was confident of its ability to find “good solutions” for the 270 employees in the next seven months, in cooperation with the social partners.
Some of the job losses will be taken care of by natural staff turnover, the company indicated.
In July, the ABB group said it would cut 12,000 jobs or eight per cent of its workforce over 18 months to counter “difficult market conditions”.
The company’s share price has fallen by more than 50 per cent over the last 12 months.
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