The factory in Maastricht became known as the Kristalunie. He was founded in 1925 when two loss -making glass factories were merged. A spokesperson for OI Glass, the largest glass manufacturer in the world, says that glass production in the Netherlands is currently having a hard time. The closure must make the multinational more competitive in Europe.
Leerdam remains open
Oi Glass also has a factory in Leerdam. The company says it is planning to remain an “important player in the Netherlands” with that location. In Leerdam a billion beer bottles are made every year for the beer market in the Benelux.
According to the FNV trade union, the decision with the staff is hard. Earlier this year, around ninety employees in Maastricht lost their jobs during a dismissal round. Next, new investments were not for the factory, says trade union manager Marco Vallebella.