Haasrode, Belgium – Japanese medical equipment manufacturer Terumo has approved a social plan following negotiations with unions, resulting in the loss of 75 jobs at its Haasrode site in Flemish Brabant.
The Christian trade union ACV confirmed the development on Tuesday, noting that the final number of redundancies is around 40 fewer than initially projected.
The restructuring follows Terumo’s September 2023 announcement that it would discontinue the assembly of its ‘Interventional Systems’ products at the Haasrode facility.
Production of catheters will be moved to Vietnam and Japan, where the bulk of these tools are already manufactured, ACV stated.
When the restructuring was first revealed, it was estimated that 115 positions were at risk. However, negotiations between management and labor representatives resulted in a reduction of the impact, with alternative positions found for approximately 40 employees.
According to ACV union secretary Leen Vanderhulst, the final redundancy plan includes financial compensation for those who will lose their jobs. Employees who are laid off will receive bonuses based on their years of service.
Additionally, agreements have been made regarding job security for the remaining workforce, and a bonus scheme will be available for those taking on new roles within the company.
“We still don’t agree with the closure of the department, but it is a balanced social plan,” Vanderhulst stated. “98% of the staff approved it.”
Terumo currently employs nearly 800 people in Haasrode, including around 300 workers and 500 employees. This is not the company’s first large-scale restructuring at the Belgian facility; a significant reorganization also took place in 2015.
The reduction in job losses marks a partial victory for labor unions, which had lobbied to minimize the social impact of the restructuring. Employees who secured alternative roles within the company have been reassured of continued employment, and those affected by redundancy have been provided with financial support.
Despite the concessions, the closure of the ‘Interventional Systems’ assembly unit remains a disappointment for the workforce and union representatives.
The decision aligns with Terumo’s broader strategy of consolidating manufacturing operations in lower-cost regions. The company cited economic factors and efficiency improvements as the primary reasons for shifting production to Vietnam and Japan.
Terumo’s latest restructuring reflects ongoing challenges faced by European manufacturing sites in maintaining competitiveness against lower-cost production hubs.
While the social plan has softened the impact of job losses, the departure of catheter assembly from Haasrode marks another shift in the region’s industrial landscape.
With the social plan now in place, affected employees will begin transitioning to their new circumstances, whether through alternative employment within Terumo or through severance arrangements.
The company has assured that it remains committed to its Belgian operations, though further restructuring in the future remains a possibility amid global economic pressures.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
