Another auto parts factory closes its doors

It is the only company with national capital that manufactures batteries to supply automotive terminals, and that also had an export presence with the brands Willard, Dinasty, Wao y Unionbat Solar. It has two factories in Gualeguaychú and in the town of Villa Lynch, in San Martín.

“The decision is part of a adaptation of its industrial structure, oriented towards a more concentrated and efficient operation. In Gualeguaychú there will remain a minimum staff assigned to security, custody and maintenance tasks of the establishment,” the company added in its internal communication.

As for the operators, 100 of the 300 employees of the firm work in Gualeguaychú, which will now begin a case-by-case negotiation. “The separations derived from the discontinuation “They are implemented individually, in accordance with the applicable legal framework and with the corresponding settlement in each case.”said the company.

On the factory premises, located in the Gualeguaychú industrial park, the doors were closed after the departure of the tuno Friday morning. The late shift workers were already prevented from entering and on the same Friday, after an assembly with the delegates, it was resolved keep a camp at the door and request mandatory conciliation before the Entre Ríos Labor Secretariat. The workers are framed in the Chemical and Petrochemical Industries Staff Union.

The current formation of Unionbat has been going on for almost three decades, as a result of the merger of the companies Ostilio Bocci and Wao Drumsin 1997. Ostilio Bocci, second generation of the Gino Bocci y Hermano firm founded in 1914, began selling the Willard brand in Argentina starting in 1918. By 1957, when the local automotive industry was being formed, the company already with the name Ostilio Bocci began as a producer of “original spare parts” for the factories.

The current crisis of the company, within the framework of commercial opening, would not be due to competition from Chinese products as occurs in other sectors of the local industry. “In the case of batteries, the problem is still not the importance of China but Brazil. It would be a restructuring to improve costs and have more chances to compete with Brazil”indicated sources from the sector.

The auto parts industry is going through a deep crisis that hits it from several sides, such as the direct import of Chinese products and the conversion of some automotive terminals towards new models of Chinese origin. that require a lower percentage of local auto parts. Furthermore, the Auto Parts Law, which had been passed in 2016 and celebrated by the sector, is about to be expire (it was enacted with a validity of 10 years) and there are currently no plans to renew or update it.

During 2025, the auto parts industry had a drop in its level of activity 3,9% which accelerated in the first months of this year, with a decline of 8,9% in the first five months of 2026, according to Indec data. Only last year the sector lost 4,100 jobs. According to industry estimates, from 2024 There are now a dozen auto parts companies that have closed, not counting those that have started or are considering opening crisis preventive processes.