Swarovski cuts around 400 jobs at the Wattens location

By then, the number of employees at the headquarters is expected to decrease from the current 2,480 to around 2,100, it was stated at a press conference in Wattens on Thursday. The reason given for this measure was the important but weakening B2B business for the location.

Swarovski is currently experiencing a "paradoxical situation," said Jerome Dandrieux, General Manager in Wattens. The company shows "robust figures" thanks to the well-performing jewelry business, but in Wattens, production is mainly for business customers. This makes them dependent on external circumstances: "We have no good prospects in China and in the luxury industry," he said. The automotive industry, for which Swarovski is increasingly fulfilling orders, is also in a difficult situation.

Dandrieux: "We believe in Wattens"

Therefore, the "capacity utilization" in Wattens has decreased, and "adjustments" are necessary. In addition to job cuts, all employees were offered a ten percent reduction in working hours, and the three-shift operation will be reduced to two shifts. The night shift, which according to Dandrieux costs "millions," will be eliminated. At the same time, he expressed a commitment to the location: "We believe in Wattens." Therefore, they plan to invest 150 million euros in the location by 2023. Nevertheless: "If we do nothing now, we will have to make more difficult decisions in a year."

Swarovski: Larger job cuts already in 2020

In recent years, the globally operating company has steadily reduced its workforce at the headquarters. In 2020, 1,200 employees were affected, previously 4,600 people worked in Wattens. The job cuts in the midst of the Corona pandemic caused a stir at the time - also in state politics. A labor foundation and a social plan were subsequently established.

However, the crystal company made headlines not only because of the job cuts. The corporate management and the economic situation - not least due to the Corona crisis - were also in focus. A dispute, partly carried out in courts and the media, was declared over this summer. The shareholders unanimously agreed on the creation of an "integrated crystal company." The new DSW Kristall AG & Co KG is a 100-percent subsidiary of the Swiss Swarovski International Holding (SIH). The Wattens operation and thus all employees were incorporated into the new group.

(APA/Red)

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