Siemens Gamesa to let go 600 at Aalborg blade plant

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA (BME:SGRE) intends to cut 600 jobs at its Aalborg blade factory in Denmark in an effort to remain competitive amid the changing global wind market conditions.

A further 130 workers will change positions.

Siemens Gamesa’s CEO Markus Tacke said, as quoted by local media on Friday, that the adjustment was needed to respond to changes in market needs and customer demands. He has added that the company continued to have very positive medium- to long-term prospects for its business.

The lay-offs will be effective from September 30. Before the latest job cuts, the Aalborg manufacturing facility had a workforce of 2,100. Just two months before its merger with Spanish wind turbine maker Gamesa in April, Siemens Wind Power cut 150 jobs at Aalborg.

Earlier this year, Siemens (ETR:SIE) shut down its blade factory in Engesvang, Denmark, resulting in a workforce reduction of 430. The wind turbine maker also unveiled plans in July to close by early 2018 its manufacturing plant in Tillsonburg, in the Canadian province of Ontario. One of the main reasons for these decisions is that the company needs to make larger blades sought in the market, Siemens said.

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