Electrolux to close its production in Mariestad – Expressen

They have worked to produce the refrigerator for more than 25 year.

But now closes the Electrolux factory in Mariestad – and all the employees at risk of losing the job.

– The news in itself is a bitch, says Monica Annala, workshop chairman of the club.

The approximately 250 employees of the white goods giant Electrolux plant in Mariestad gathered for the rally at eleven o’clock on Thursday morning.

But there was no happily notice that the site manager Magnus Karlsson came up with.

After several months of negotiations, Electrolux has now decided to end its operations in Mariestad and move production to Hungary.

– There will probably not completely unexpected. But it is a heavy day, says Magnus Karlsson said.

No notice than

The white goods giant has long been the dominant employer in the region and the majority of the 250 who work there Today has been employed for over 25 years.

Monica Annala made his first working day at Electrolux in 1985. Today she is the engineering club chair and she describes a subdued mood on the shop floor.

– It is clear that it is not fun, even if people knew that something was going on, she says.

No employees have been given notice yet and it is hoped that one or more other stakeholders will take over the business.

– There are ongoing negotiations with other parties and Electrolux has promised to put the money so it will be a lasting solution to the situation, says Monica Annala.

Are new stakeholders

Even the Mayor of Mariestad Johan Abrahamsson, M, is hopeful for the future.

– There is clearly a heavy heart that this kind of industry will disappear from the resort and it is a hard blow for the families who are affected. But we’re not completely unprepared and I have great confidence that Electrolux is implementing a conversion package, says Johan Abrahamsson.

The first phase of the relocation to Hungary will take place in January next year. At the same time the factory in Mariestad start producing drying cabinet, which means that no employees affected by today’s announcement at the earliest in October 2016, when the second phase of operations relocation will be carried out.

For the employees in Mariestad day continued as usual after they received news that their work is threatened.

– People are loyal as they went nicely back to their jobs. It is clear that they are sorry, but you do what you can and continue to do their refrigerators, says Monica Annala.