Bosch Siemens Hausgeräte (BSH) is reacting to increasing low-cost competition and closing two factories in Germany. The production of washing machines in Nauen in Brandenburg and the production of stoves and extractor hoods in Bretten in Baden-Württemberg are affected. A total of 1,400 jobs will be lost.
Production is “permanently underutilized” due to a shrinking market and growing low-cost competition, explained BSH. “No relevant market growth is expected in the foreseeable future.” Therefore, capacities would have to be reduced.
Goods are produced elsewhere in Europe
Stoves, washing machines and extractor hoods will come from other European plants in the future. “This step is necessary to secure our future and competitiveness,” said BSH-Chef Matthias Metz. The job cuts will affect around 980 employees in Bretten near Karlsruhe and 440 in Nauen northwest of Berlin. They want to look for socially acceptable solutions. Production in Nauen is scheduled to end by mid-2027 and in Bretten it will stop in March 2028.
A BSH spokeswoman said the job cuts were to be seen independently of the planned cuts of 13,000 jobs in the automotive supply division of the parent company Bosch, which it announced at the end of September. BSH employs around 16,000 people in Germany and 57,000 worldwide.