Whirlpool dismisses 480 employees

The rumour was already circulating in late April, during the second meeting with the social partners at Mise. Now comes the confirmation of the news but with a surprise compared to the numbers: Whirlpool will lay off 480 employees and not 150 as it was initially assumed. After having restructured the direct part of the production, the leaders of the multinational impose a slimming cure painful even to the indirect, something new as the employees had not yet been touched.

The layoffs will be divided as follows: 200 workers in Fabriano, in addition to the 35 already announced in the area of research and development, another 200 in the province of Varese, between Comerio and Cassinetta, in addition to the 75 already announced in the area of research and development, 80 in Milan. Even for employees, Whirlpool confirms its willingness to not proceed with unilateral layoffs until the end of 2018.

“A sustainable organization will be created, assigning specific responsibilities to each location,” writes the company in a statement. “At the same time it will be preserved a multi-regional, maintaining the presence in the regions where we have today our administrative centres, leveraging the best skills and expertise. ”

As for the functions, Cassinetta hosts the supply chain, the central manufacturing, procurement, research and development and support activities in the field of finance, human resources and information systems.

Comerio hosts the leadership team, product & brand marketing, European sales, the finance, human resources, the legal department, the strategic planning and the marketing and sales of Italian commercial branch, the support activities of the IT systems. Finally, Fabriano hosts the consumer service & quality; Computer systems, research and development, most of the activities of the Italian market, the procurement and related support activities in the field of finance, human resources and legal office.

The company is also evaluating the adequacy and sustainability of the buildings that house the offices of Comerio and Milan and is exploring alternative solutions in the area Milan-Varese.