300 job losses at Duracell
Duracell wants its Aarschot site to switch completely to the production of so-called AA and AAA batteries.
The production of other batteries will be transferred to other plants that currently face overcapacity.
According to the unions, the company is also planning to transfer its finishing and metals departments to other plants. Management at Duracell says that restructuring will go hand in hand with large-scale investments that will transform the Aarschot plant into one of its most modern factories.
A Duracell spokesman told the VRT that this will prevent production being transferred from Aarschot to plants in developing countries.
"This operation is a case of taking a small step back now in order to take a big step forward in the future.”
Over a period of time, the number of people employed at Duracell’s Aarschot factory will be cut from the current 750 to around 450.
The company hopes to achieve this through natural wastage.