Table culture loses its significance. This is particularly true of the suppliers of fine porcelains, which undoubtedly includes the Meissen State Porcelain Manufactory. With a drastic job cuts, those in charge want to save what can still be saved. The company wants to cancel one-third of its jobs, the number of employees should fall from 619 to 418, said a spokesman.
The decision on the planned austerity measures was taken by the Supervisory Board on Wednesday evening, and the workforce was informed on Thursday morning. Among other things, the company justified this step with the difficult market environment in the porcelain industry and the expected economic downturn. The "ambitious growth targets" could not have been achieved.
"This is a great shock for Meissen," said the Meissen CDU MP Daniela Kuge. In the previous year, the porcelain manufactory posted sales of around 38 million euros - far less than hoped. In the future plan passed in 2017 under the then CDU Finance Minister Georg Unland, sales of around 50 million euros had been targeted in the coming years.
Now it is about ensuring the porcelain manufactory as a unique cultural heritage sustainable, said a spokeswoman for the Saxon Ministry of Finance. The manufactory is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Free State. There is perhaps the idea to secure the know-how for porcelain production in an academy. "But we are still in an early phase," said the spokeswoman. In addition, there are contacts to the Employment Agency to find solutions for affected employees.
Conversion to a luxury group failed
The job cuts should also be regulated in consultation with the works council on retirement and vacancies. According to company information, the training of young employees is not affected by the job cuts. The company with the well-known symbol of crossed blue swords also wants to part with non-profitable locations, especially in Germany. "Which, which is currently in the exam," said a manufactory spokeswoman.
For years, Europe's oldest porcelain manufactory (founding 1710) has been fighting for millions in losses. The conversion to a luxury company under the former boss Christian Kurtzke failed. He also produced jewelry, clothing and accessories - the concept failed.
