Terex Cranes is restructuring, reducing manufacturing capacity and cutting its workforce to accommodate lower demand and refocus on product development.
Of the manufacturer’s three plants in and around Zweibrücken in Germany, only two will remain open: the Dinglerstrasse and Wallerscheid factories will continue, while the plant at Bierbach will be sold — alongside the sale of a fourth fabrication, components and parts factory in Hungary.
Steve Filipov, president of Terex Cranes, said: “With the consolidation efforts started in 2016 and the announced changes in Hungary and Zweibrücken in 2017, the cranes business headcount will be reduced by approximately 30%.
“While these decisions are difficult to make, they are necessary to build a stronger, more focused and efficient Terex Cranes that will continue to innovate and grow.”
The Montceau les Mines crane factory in France will also go with the sale of the Materials Handling and Port Solutions (MHPS) business to Konecranes. The production of four models of smaller all-terrain cranes will then be moved from there to other factories.
Steve Filipov, Terex Cranes president, said, “We are committed to being the most customer-responsive company in the industry through providing valuable product and service solutions that produce an excellent return on the customer’s investment.
“For us to deliver on these commitments and innovate the technologies of today and tomorrow, we must be laser-focused on controlling our costs, aligning our manufacturing footprint with market conditions and creating a more streamlined and responsive organisational structure.”
Terex Cranes now has plans to “make multimillion-dollar investments in both facilities to support ongoing manufacturing operations” at the two German plants that will continue to operate.
Earlier in 2016, Terex consolidated its entire US production to just one facility in Oklahoma City.
