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US group GGB closes Heilbronn factory: 65 jobs will be lost!
GGB is closing its Heilbronn location with 65 job cuts. The reason is production relocations to Eastern Europe.
US group GGB closes Heilbronn factory: 65 jobs will be lost!
A concentrated blow for the employees in Heilbronn: The US group GGB is planning to close its only production site in Germany. Loud Mercury This will affect more than half of the workforce, specifically 65 of the 115 employees. The decision, announced on May 14, 2025, caused uproar among the workforce, although the exact reasons were not officially communicated.
The company, headquartered in Thorofare, New Jersey, specializes in the manufacture of plain bearings for the Automotive industry and medical technology. The location in Heilbronn celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024 and had been in operation since 1991. The closure was necessary as part of rationalization, as a company spokesman noted. GGB plans to relocate production capacity to Slovakia, while logistical operations will move to France.
Unfavorable general conditions
The background for the drastic measures is bleak. There is a suspicion that the unfavorable conditions in Germany, including high energy costs, bureaucracy and tax burdens, contributed significantly to this decision. This assumption is supported by the statements of Niklas Anner from IG Metall, who shares the anger of the employees and emphasizes that, in their opinion, many want to fight to keep their jobs. In a recent interview he said: “There is great discontent among the workforce.” In addition, IG Metall is criticizing the decision, particularly because the plant recently emerged from a phase of short-time work and was considered economically stable.
The German automotive industry also faces a variety of challenges, such as § Statista reported. Sales of combustion vehicles in China, the most important market, are weakening and German manufacturers are losing competitiveness in the electric car segment. This development could continue to have a negative impact on suppliers such as GGB, who also supply these industries with their products. One could say that the entire industry is looking for a better hand in order to survive in a changing market.
Job losses are a worrying trend
The closure of GGB is not the only alarm call in the Heilbronn region. There have also been massive job cuts at a Thyssenkrupp subsidiary in recent months. In addition, an electric vehicle manufacturer from the district went bankrupt. These developments make it clear that the challenges in the economy are not just isolated, but systematic. The pressure on companies is increasing while jobs in the region are increasingly at risk.
The IG Metall union declared that it would fight together with the employees to preserve jobs. While the circumstances for GGB and the wider industry are complex, the call that “something is happening” and that it is time to stand up for local jobs remains clearly visible.