DAIMLER-BENZ Aerospace (DASA) has reduced the number of job cuts being planned at its Airbus subsidiary, citing the success of its "Dolores" efficiency plan and an influx of aircraft orders.
DASA Airbus has agreed with unions to make an overall workforce reduction of 3,300, bringing the total down to 11,500 by the end of 1997. Earlier plans had suggested a cut of around 5,000 jobs. The figure includes the closure of the Laupheim plant and the sale of the Speyer site to a management buy-out, subject to final agreement.
The company says that the move was allowed by success in achieving the cost-savings and efficiency goals elsewhere within the Dolores plan. The company adds that the measures were essential pre-conditions for winning recent new contracts.
The Dolores plan was unveiled in 1995 to counter the catastrophic effects of the low dollar-exchange rate, and aimed to turn DASA back to profit by 1998.
DASA's aero-engine unit MTU has turned its Bavarian Peissenberg components plant into an independent subsidiary, as a first move towards selling the site. Peissenberg was one of the sites earmarked for sale or closure under the Dolores plan. No schedule has yet been released for the sale of the site.
Source: Flight International