The struggling toy and furniture manufacturer Haba has cut around 450 jobs. Most of the people are now back in work. But the situation at Haba remains difficult.
A large number of former employees of the toy and furniture manufacturer Haba have found work again. Of the approximately 230 former employees who were transferred to a transfer company on January 1, more than 70 percent now have a new job, said Nicole Ehrsam, first representative at IG Metall Coburg.
A few have also become self-employed or have retired. For the majority of the ex-Haba employees, the transfer company ends at the end of June. For another group of around 90 former employees, the transfer company ends at the end of September. One in three of these employees is already in work, said Ehrsam.
The company, based in Bad Rodach in Upper Franconia, entered into insolvency proceedings under its own administration last September and cut around 450 jobs in the process. Haba also discontinued the Jako-o brand and separated from its furniture production site in Eisleben in Saxony-Anhalt. The union campaigned for a transfer company to be set up for the former employees. This enabled the employment agency to provide closer support to the people and financial assistance.
Great willingness to continue training
From the union’s point of view, the transfer company’s success rate has been good so far. By the end of the year, the majority of former Haba employees will probably be back in work, said Ehrsam. One important factor for the success was the great willingness to undertake further training.
Since March of this year, Haba has left the insolvency proceedings behind and can once again take part in the public tenders that are particularly important for the company. Haba makes a large part of its turnover from orders for furniture in daycare centers and all-day facilities.
Difficult market situation
IG Metall representative Ehrsam, however, currently perceives “great uncertainty” among Haba employees. The market situation is difficult and, according to the employees, Haba’s production is not operating at full capacity. The company’s hopes for an end to the insolvency proceedings have not yet been confirmed.
A Haba spokeswoman said: “As with many other companies in similar industries, business development is currently difficult.” The Haba Familygroup is in a challenging market environment and must continue to adapt to changing market developments. After the end of the insolvency, Haba did not issue any concrete economic figures as a target for 2024. The current year should primarily serve as a consolidation.
Source: Stern
