Thyssenkrupp Chief Executive announces sweeping job cuts

Thyssenkrupp will make sweeping job cuts and give an update on the new company structure in November. The German group announced in May it was open to new ownership structures for its car parts, plant engineering, marine systems and elevators units, but investors criticized a lack of progress, leading to the dismissal of Chief Executive Guido Kerkhoff. Photo: File

Thyssenkrupp will make sweeping job cuts and give an update on the new company structure in November. The German group announced in May it was open to new ownership structures for its car parts, plant engineering, marine systems and elevators units, but investors criticized a lack of progress, leading to the dismissal of Chief Executive Guido Kerkhoff. Photo: File

Published Oct 9, 2019

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INTERNATIONAL - Thyssenkrupp will make sweeping job cuts and give an update on the new company structure in November, the company’s new Chief Executive Martina Merz told employees on Wednesday.

The German group announced in May it was open to new ownership structures for its car parts, plant engineering, marine systems and elevators units, but investors criticized a lack of progress, leading to the dismissal of Chief Executive Guido Kerkhoff.

This led to the installation of Martina Merz, who addressed her top managers for the first time as Chief Executive this week.

“This is about strengthening businesses and improving performance. This is not a sellout,” Merz said in the letter, which was released to employees following the management meeting.

Thyssenkrupp, which has already announced 6000 positions will go, declined to put a figure on potential job losses, pending negotiations about cuts with labor leaders.

It said an update about the revamp would be given in November and that employees would have clarity in early 2020.

“It is true that this will not be possible without significant job cuts,” Merz said, explaining that big changes were afoot in the Component Technologies and Industrial Solutions divisions.

Component Technologies will be renamed Automotive Technology and a new structure will be introduced.

Marcel Fasswald, Chief Executive of Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, has left the company, Merz said.

Thyssenkrupp will, however, continue with plans to sell or list its Elevators division, Merz said. 

Thyssenkrupp will make sweeping job cuts and give an update on the new company structure in November. The German group announced in May it was open to new ownership structures for its car parts, plant engineering, marine systems and elevators units, but investors criticized a lack of progress, leading to the dismissal of Chief Executive Guido Kerkhoff.

Photo: File

BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

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