German Bosch to sell French solar panel plant in early April - report

Jan 13, 2014 - German machinery company Bosch will sell its solar panel making plant in Venissieux, eastern France, to French company Sillia Energie in early April, news agency AFP said on Friday quoting trade union sources.

The central works council of the plant is expected to give its opinion on the takeover offer by end-January, Marc Soubitez from trade union CFDT said. Later, a local commercial court and Bosch itself have to give their respective opinions on the offer.

Trade unions have some misgivings as they still cannot say whether the takeover bid includes a viable project for the plant or not. Workers only know that Sillia will keep 128 employees out of 240. Some 60 workers will be able to leave in early retirement at the age of 55 or even 54. Finally, another 20 people may be transferred to a different unit of Bosch.

Unions are worried and have fears because ever since mid-November, around 180 employees are in forced vacation.

At the end of 2012, Bosch had decided to exit the solar power sector due to hefty losses generated by its unit Bosch Solar Energy over three consecutive fiscal years.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!