The Austrian Mayr-Melnhof Group, which operates 70 sites on three continents, has announced the closure of its French site in Sarreguemines (Moselle), which specializes in the production of pharmaceutical leaflets. This decision will have a direct impact on the plant's 49 employees. Between the redeployment plan, union criticism and the economic outlook, the employees' future remains uncertain.
Closure scheduled for April 2025: a major blow for employees
Earlier this week, MM Packaging officially opened consultations on the closure of its Sarreguemines site. According to the company, the decision was prompted by financial losses in excess of ?8 million over the last ten years, according to a management press release.
The 49 employees concerned will be offered 25 internal redeployment positions within the Group in France. The remaining 24 will be assisted in their job search by a specialized company
A controversial group strategy
The Force Ouvrière (FO) trade union strongly denounced MM Packaging's decision, criticizing a lack of investment and strategic management geared towards closure. According to FO Moselle, shortly before the announcement, management recruited temporary workers and imposed overtime in order to build up stock. "Was the company preparing a "safety stock" to deal with an inevitable conflict?" asks the union in a press release.
"Management hides behind alleged financial losses and claims to have found no solution 'despite the efforts undertaken' and 'intensive exploration of all options'. Force Ouvrière disputes these assertions and denounces a long-term strategic orientation and a total lack of investment." The union plans to defend employees' jobs and working conditions.
