Due to the global economic slow-down, DyStar, have experienced a downturn in sales in the last few months. As a result, DyStar’s corporate management plans to implement a broad cost saving programme, including a reduction of headcount of 545, at the German sites in Frankfurt, Leverkusen, Geretsried, Ludwigshafen and Brunsbüttel, a total of about 300 employees will be affected. The DyStar management is in negotiations with employee union representatives.
‘There are no alternatives to these measures if we want to secure the well-being of our company for the future. We need to drive down costs, consolidate our market position and remain flexible to be able to react to these changes. Our new organisation is well positioned to benefit from these changes and we will continue to aggressively capture market share and maintain our position as the leading textile solution provider in order to satisfy our customers’ said DyStar ceo, J Mark Allan.
At present, DyStar have around 4,000 employees in more than 50 countries and run 21 production facilities in 13 countries. Worldwide sales amounted to €800 million in 2008.
A DyStar spokesperson told Leather International that the company would not comment on any rumours concerning the future of their leather division. Information circulating at the APLF in Hong Kong suggested that a management buy-out may be being considered by former management at Dr Boehme. However, the rumours cannot be substantiated.
