Isola intent to close down the Belgium plant
The Isola Group, leader in the production of epoxy/copper clad laminates used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, and being an important supplier to the electronics field, announces its intention to close down its plant located in Petit-Rechain (Belgium) in principle on December 31st, 2001.
The information was given to be known by Mr. Jean-Pierre Fettweis, General Manager of Isola Benelux SA, on the occasion of an extraordinary workers council meeting that took place on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2001 in Petit-Rechain
"Further to the cooling-down of the global economy and to the severe slow-down of the European electronic markets, we have been obliged to go for short-time employment since February 2001. At present our capacity utilisation is about 40 %", explained Mr. Fettweis.
"The shrinkage of the market is also the result of our customers‘ business being transferred to Asia where they order more and more. Very unlikely, this business will ever come back to Europe. This has lead the Isola Group to downsize its production capacities in Europe where the Group has plants in Great-Britain (Cumbernauld), in Italy (Bottegone), in Belgium (Petit-Rechain) and in Germany (Düren)".
The plant in Petit-Rechain has been established 25 years ago by MAS in Italy and after the merger with Isola it is now part of the Isola Group since 10 years. The Isola Group whose headquarters are located in Dueren/Germany is part of the German RUETGERS AG.
Presently, the plant in Belgium employs 109 persons (86 blue collar and 23 white collar workers and staff members).
The information/consultation procedure which has been initiated with the extraordinary meeting of the workforce is graduated to the rules to be applied in case of collective dismissal (Renault Law).
During this procedure, the management and the personal representatives will examine all possible options for the future of the plant. The management will ensure a social, human and constructive dialogue with the personal representatives and the Union officials.
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