Pipe group Vallourec wants to close German plants
Created: 05/18/2022, 18:54
A worker checks steel pipes in the Vallourec production facility.
© picture alliance / dpa
Since the end of 2021, the French group has been trying to sell its two plants in Düsseldorf and Mülheim an der Ruhr.
Apparently in vain.
2400 people are affected by the closure.
Düsseldorf/Mülheim - The French steel tube group Vallourec wants to close its two traditional plants in Düsseldorf and Mülheim an der Ruhr.
A total of around 2,400 employees were affected, the company announced on Wednesday in Düsseldorf.
Production is scheduled to end at the end of 2023.
The two locations used to belong to Mannesmannrohren-Werke AG.
Vallourec had been trying to sell the two plants since November.
According to the company, however, none of the offers presented showed a sustainable future security for the production sites.
Vallourec Germany primarily produces seamless steel tubes for the oil and gas market and industrial applications in mechanical engineering and steel construction.
Economic reasons
The production of seamless steel tubes in Germany is no longer feasible for Vallourec for economic reasons, explained CEO Philippe Guillemot.
Vallourec Germany has been making significant losses for seven years.
The reasons for this are overcapacity in the industry, falling margins, but also external shocks such as various oil crises, punitive tariffs from China, the Corona crisis and the war in Ukraine started by Russia with dramatic effects on raw material and energy prices.
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Vallourec now wants to start talks with the works councils and IG Metall about a reconciliation of interests and a social plan.
"We are interested in finding a fair and decent solution for the people we have worked with for so long," said Guillemot.
"We are trying to mitigate the effects as much as possible given the overall situation." dpa
