QSIL glass factory in Winschoten will close on June 1, 2024. This means that the 122 employees will lose their jobs.
The staff was informed of the closure on Tuesday afternoon. Branch director Gerhard van den Hoek speaks of ‘a proposed decision’ that has been submitted to the works council for advice. He wants to consult with the unions about a social plan.
The factory had been operating at a loss for some time. According to parent company QSIL, the branch no longer has a future. According to Van den Hoek, the closure is necessary due to a combination of a shrinking market and increased prices for energy and raw materials.
Led lamps
The types of glass made in Winschoten are not used in the LED lamps that are common today. As a result, the market for QSIL is becoming increasingly smaller. In addition, the price of the sand used to make the glass has risen sharply. This is partly due to the increased demand for this raw material for the production of solar panels in Asia.
“And on top of that are the high energy prices. We cannot pass on all these cost increases to our customers,” says Van den Hoek.
Shocked
“I am shocked by the message,” says FNV director Janwillem Compaijen. He said there was no indication the closure was imminent, although some employees were concerned about the future of the factory.
The union will hold a members meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation with the staff.
Philips Winschoten
QSIL is the continuation of Philips Winschoten, which established itself in the East Groningen town 51 years ago. Screens for black and white televisions were made in the factory. The intention was that 750 people would come to work there. At its peak it employed 450 people. The factory later focused on the production of quartz glass and special types of glass, including for car lamps. QSIL purchased the location in 2016.
The factory came into the news during the corona period because it made glass for lamps that were used to combat the virus.