Mechanical engineer Kiefel moves production from Micheldorf (Upper Austria) to other locations. This means that 130 employees will lose their jobs by the end of 2025. What is the future in Kremstal and whether other companies can hire employees? We asked Mayor Horst Hufnagl that.
The decision hit Micheldorf’s mayor Horst Hufnagl hard, but it is clear to him that nothing can be changed: Kiefel GmbH will close its branch in Kremstal, which currently employs 130 employees, by the end of 2025. The tool making for fiber and tilting machines and the automation of thermoforming machines moved to other industries.
“In any case, nothing will happen this year, the job losses will start next year,” says Hufnagl, who exchanged views with the Kiefel management on Tuesday and thus gathered the most important facts for himself.
Insecurity among families
The shock among the employees is deep. “Behind every job are families who now have to rearrange their future plans – that comes with uncertainty,” says the boss of the market town of 6,000 inhabitants.
A social plan is being drawn up
While Kiefel has announced that he will develop a social plan together with the works council, Hufnagl is already thinking ahead. The first discussions have been held with companies about whether there are opportunities to hire employees. “The economic situation is not ideal for this at the moment, but there were positive signals,” said Hufnagl.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
