Schueco to wind up solar module production in Germany

Aug 1, 2012 - German maker of building envelopes and solar systems Schueco International will wind up its production of thin-film solar modules in Germany due to the current crisis in the sector, spokesman Thomas Lauritzen told reporters yesterday.

The company will close two production plants and a development unit by the end of the year, making redundant 275 of the company's 5,400 employees.

The company no longer sees a perspective for sustainable production in Germany, despite the recent cost saving efforts and the already reduced production capacity. The main reasons are the unexpected scale of price drops, the declining subsidies and a weak demand in parts of Europe. This already led to a decline of revenue in 2011 and is projected to continue this year.

Schueco will close the plant in Grossroehrsdorf with 143 employees by August 31, followed by the plant in Osterweddingen with 105 employees by September 30 and the development unit at the headquarters in Bielefeld by December 31. The employees will be offered voluntary redundancy compensations.

Schueco bought the plant in Grossroehrsdorf from insolvent rival Sunfilm in 2010.

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