Announcement today : the plant manufacturing LDPE will be severely downsized (38 to 50 positions affected).
ExxonMobil in Europe : “this is the end”. For those who can, time to jump off board.
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Europe will pay the price at some point regarding their lack of vision on energy policies which are also national security issues.
Rotterdam chemicals are the next to shutter.
@1vsm+1t5SXjC8
Two different topics, two different sites. Gravenchon is in France, Meerhout in Belgium.
On one hand they shut down 90% of the chemical business (steamcracker and associated units, PE, PP, resins,…) on the other hand they’re just downsizing a PE plant. This said, business environment for petrochemicals in Europe is grim.
Found it here
https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2024/04/11/10989084/exxonmobil-to-close-gravenchon-france-cr--ker-and-related-derivative-units-in-2024/
My man missed the memo that most support services are in low cost countries now and that the various layers continue to be consolidated. Look around, DS and Chem president's are one, all the orgs under have also been reduced and will continue. The pain may seem disproportionate short term, but it's felt throughout the org.
Isn’t it ironic that’s it’s always site employees that are impacted, how many managers/executives are reduced as we divest and downsize locations to become more competitive.
All you Houston union pushers take notice of what happens when you reduce competitiveness.
Isn’t it ironic that’s it’s always site employees that are impacted, how many managers/executives are reduced as we divest and downsize locations to become more competitive.
@chv+1t5SXjC8
Yep. It’s official.
Announcement signed by Belgium/Luxemburg LCM.
« This morning, an extra-ordinary works council meeting took place at the Meerhout polymer plant (MPP). The employee representatives were informed about a future plan to improve MPP's competitive position.
This intended transformation is essential to maintain our ambition as a global player in the production of Low Density PolyEthylene (LDPE). After all, the European chemical industry is facing a challenging business environment. This is partly due to stagnating demand for LDPE, high wage and energy costs, as well as regulatory burden.
As a result of the planned changes in the organization of work, it is expected that 38 to 50 positions in MPP will be affected. The intention is to reduce these positions by reassignments, retirements, a temporary restriction on recruitment, natural attrition, and potential redundancies. It is our intention to start the implementation at the beginning of 2025 after completing the information and consultation process (I&C) with the Works Council.
We are proud of what we have accomplished in Meerhout together with our employees over the years. MPP supplies high-quality products to various industries and is a leading reference within ExxonMobil. We will support and guide our employees throughout the implementation of the future plan. »
Has this been announced internally?
Guess we shouldn't be surprised after hearing Gravenchon Chem plant being shutdown and related divestments in Europe. Still, best wishes for all those affected.