Layoffs loom for hundreds of workers in Koblenz, as announced by ZF.
In the city of Koblenz, two major automotive suppliers, ZF and Stabilus, are facing job cuts and cost reduction measures due to the ongoing crisis in the industry.
ZF, based in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance, plans to cut around 450 jobs at its Koblenz site by the year 2030. The works agreement in Koblenz excludes dismissals until the end of 2026, but the company has called on the works council to start negotiations promptly regarding the job cuts. The majority of the job cuts will occur by the end of 2026, with the production site in Koblenz focusing on brake control systems (IBC) and wheel brake systems remaining in Koblenz for the coming years.
The reasons for the job cuts at ZF include the persistently weak automotive market and trade policy uncertainties such as US import tariffs or export restrictions for rare earths from China. The company aims for a socially acceptable reduction to avoid dismissals.
IG Metall union has been protesting against the job cuts plans at the automotive supplier ZF in Koblenz for several months. Despite the planned job cuts, ZF considers the Koblenz site to remain an important part of its development and production network in Germany in the long term.
Besides ZF, the automotive supplier Stabilus in Koblenz is affected by planned cost reductions. Stabilus plans to cut around 450 jobs worldwide as part of a larger savings program, but it is not yet clear whether jobs will be cut at the Koblenz site. The site in the Ahrweiler district and the new building in Niederzissen are to be considered separately from the planned job cuts at the Koblenz site.
As of current, approximately 2,100 people work at the Koblenz site, with around 500 in production, 1,250 in research and development, and a further 350 in administration. The job cuts will primarily affect research and development, with around 370 jobs to be cut in this area. An additional 80 jobs will be cut in the administrative areas.
The Koblenz site will continue to be one of the most important employers in the city, with its continued importance in ZF's development and production network in Germany. IG Metall has invited the press to a conference on Friday afternoon to discuss the ongoing situation.
Another automotive supplier in Koblenz, Stabilus, plans to consolidate office and production sites to save around 32 million euros annually from 2028 onward. The exact number of jobs to be cut at Stabilus worldwide and whether jobs will be cut at the Koblenz site is not specified.
The job cuts plans at ZF and the savings program at Stabilus are part of the ongoing crisis in the automotive industry, with the industry facing persistently weak market conditions and trade policy uncertainties.
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