Ceratizit is realigning its international production network to "further strengthen its competitiveness in the global market for cemented carbide."
As part of this realignment, the German sites in Besigheim and Empfingen will be closed. The products manufactured at these two sites today will in future be produced at other sites within the Ceratizit Group.
In the context of persistently high-cost pressure and a challenging market situation in the foreseeable future, Ceratizit has decided to optimize its international production network. The optimization measures are aimed at making greater use of economies of scale, synergies and location, while reducing duplicate resources.
Two German plants to be closed
Given their high dependence on the automotive business and the markets in Germany and Europe, the focus is particularly on the sites in Besigheim and Empfingen. They are not only struggling with the prospect of a weak outlook for incoming orders, but also with fierce international competition. With a view to the Group's competitiveness, the decision has therefore been taken to close the Besigheim and Empfingen sites in 2026.
Production shifted
Manufacturing capacities for the affected products will be established at other European sites within the group as part of the global footprint concept. This will enable CERATIZIT to maintain full production capacity and meet all its delivery obligations to customers in the future.
The managing directors of the sites plan to enter into negotiations with the employee representatives regarding a social plan and alignment of interests.
