Haribo to downsize two production sites in France
The company has put into place voluntary redundancies and early retirement schemes to cut 100 jobs from 750 employees at two factories in Uzès and Marseille.
Job cuts by 2018
The cut backs are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
Speaking to France’s Le Monde newspaper, Jean-Philippe André, chairman, Haribo France and America, said if it did not implement this agreement one of the two sites would have to close by 2020.
“There was a real gap between the financial situation of the company and the restructuring plan. But the company could avoid shutting down one of the two plants thanks to voluntary departures and early retirement of staff at both sites,” he said.
ConfectioneryNews reported last month that Haribo plans to build one of the world’s largest confectionery facilities in Wisconsin.
The new-build plant will be operational by 2020 and will be its first production site in the US.
"We're planning to build one of the biggest facilities in the confectionary industry," Web Saber, chief financial officer, Haribo of America, said at the time.
Haribo currently serves the global market from 16 factories in Europe.
Wisconsin factory
The company's 500,000 sq ft US facility will be one of the largest investments in new operations by an overseas business in Wisconsin history, according to the office of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
Haribo has been present in the US since 1982. Its top-selling product in the country is its original Gold Bears brand.
The company is also set to open a factory in Germany later this year.
Haribo was founded in 1920 and has been present in France since 1967. It employs around 7,000 people worldwide.
