23.07.2014

Atlas to close Delmenhorst plant

German loader crane and excavator manufacturer Atlas Maschinen has informed employees that it is to present plans to close its Delmenhorst crane plant by the end of next month.

The company informed its employees on Monday that production of its loader cranes will be shifted to its nearby facilities in Vechta and Gaznderkesee in order to streamline production and save on costs. A final decision will be made by the end of August and will affect up to 80 employees employed at Delmenhorst.

Atlas managing director Grahim Stitou, said: “The closure is definite, the only question is when. The main reason is that the industry is still in a significant economic downturn. Currently, the factory is currently running at just 50 percent of capacity, with unsatisfactory productivity indicators. We have to react in order to secure the continued existence of the company.”
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Fil Filipov

Vertikal Comment

Atlas owner Fil Filipov has been battling with the Delmenhorst works council since he acquired the business from Terex in 2010 – see:

Atlas employees fight changes
See Atlas on TV

The company had already transferred its headquarters from Delmenhorst to Ganderkesee and most if not all components already ship into Vechta before being sent on to the other plants. The fight at Atlas has been subject to an ongoing legal battle and this is unlikely to end with the closure.