Belgium's Glaverbel will cease production of coated glass at its site in Lodelinsart, Belgium, it was reported 27/03/06. Up to 86 employees from a total of 178 at the site may be laid off. On being informed of the lay-offs, workers launched protest actions. Management blamed the job cuts on price pressures in the international market which have resulted in the operation making losses. The current market situation holds no prospect of improvement, the company said during a meeting, 24 March. At Lodelinsart, the firm will continue production of coated solar control glass, used in large architectural projects worldwide. Glaverbel invested EUR 35M to upgrade coated solar control glass production in 2002. The restructuring, begun by the company in 2004, is not yet finalised, trade union ABVV said. Through the restructuring, the company plans to reduce its workforce by one third. Glaverbel management and trade unions will hold talks in line with the so-called Renault law, under which a company must inform and consult trade unions before taking decisions on collective redundancies.
