Restructuring leads to 100 job losses in textiles division – Huntsman

25 May '09

2 min read

Huntsman Corporation, a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals and petrochemicals will cut 104 jobs at its textile chemicals production site in Langweid, near Augsburg in Germany, through end 2010.

Speaking exclusively to Fibre2fashion, Mr Guy Wolff, Director, Global Communications & Public Affairs at the Advanced Materials & Textile Effects Divisions at Huntsman said, “In the course of 2008, the Textile Effects division of Huntsman International announced a major restructuring with the strategic intent to focus on selected global market segments and to implement a new business support model that is fully aligned with the market and its customer needs”.

He continued by saying, “Significant changes in the organization included the reorganization of regional structures which have been replaced by two global business units - Apparel & Home Textiles and Specialty Textiles - and the transition of the global headquarters to Singapore, which will be complete this summer, in order to better support the migration of the business towards Asia”.

He added, “The sales and customer support organization in Asia is now the largest in Textile Effects, bringing it into line with changed requirements and development potential. A further key element of the plan included the build-up of Research & Technology (R&T) capability in Panyu (China) and in Mumbai.

"In end 2008, a consultation process was initiated with employee representatives of the Langweid in Germany, which was home of the EMEA region and have now reached an agreement which calls for a reduction of 100 positions on one side and the continuation of the production facility which specializes in textile chemicals”, he concluded by saying.

Huntsman had recently released its results for the first quarter of 2009. Revenues for the first quarter of 2009 were US $1,693 million, a decrease of 33 percent compared to $2,540 million for the first quarter of 2009 and a decrease of 17 percent, when compared to $2,048 million for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging.

Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman today has 13,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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