Major components supplier to the automotive and RV industries Webasto has announced that it will cut around 650 jobs in Germany by the end of 2025 as part of an ongoing restructuring program.

The decision was agreed upon by the company’s management and employee representatives with Webasto’s facilities in Gilching, Hengersberg, Neubrandenburg, Utting, and its headquarters in Stockdorf being affected.

The focus of the job cuts is on positions in administration and development, while production capabilities will also be adjusted to meet the changed demand. Staff were informed about the decision on 2 April.

CEO and Chairman of the Management Board for Webasto, Jörg Buchheim, said: “This was a tough decision, but one that was also unavoidable for Webasto due to the market development. It contributes significantly to making Webasto fit for the future in the long term. We will implement the planned personnel measures with the utmost respect for the social security of our employees and in line with our corporate culture.”

Webasto’s management and works council have worked closely together to develop a package of social security measures that includes an offer to employees to move to a transfer company that will support them for a maximum of 12 months in finding new career opportunities.

Staff will be personally informed about the specifics of the personnel reductions in a series of meetings run by Webasto’s company-wide works council, its management team, and its human resources department.

This decision is the latest part of Webasto’s restructuring process, which also involved hiring Johann Stohner as its Chief Restructuring Officer in January and appointing Jörg Buchheim as Chief Executive Officer in March following the stepping down of previous CEO Dr. Holger Engelmann.

When appointed, Jörg Buchheim said: “I have been passionately committed to the automotive industry for 25 years. Webasto inspires me as a company rich in tradition with a long history – a heritage that is becoming increasingly rare in Germany.

“My goal is to lead Webasto successfully through the transformation with a clear strategic direction – in close cooperation with the employees, my colleagues on the Management Board, the Supervisory Board, the owners and all stakeholders.”