
- Production of the C-Class as of 2014 in Bremen and the USA will secure
growth opportunities and increase profitability - Attractive job possibilities for the employees affected at the
Sindelfingen plant - Next generation of E- and S-Class to remain in Sindelfingen
- Management and Labor Council share clear goal of further efficiency
improvements - Resulting possibility to do without layoffs for operating reasons in
Sindelfingen until 2020
The Board of Management and the General Labor Council of Daimler AG have
agreed on the details of a personnel concept for the Sindelfingen plant in
connection with the reorganization of the worldwide Mercedes-Benz production
network. As of 2014, production of the C-Class will be concentrated at the
Bremen plant with additional production in the United States for the local
market. This will allow the Daimler Group to increase its competitiveness and to
profit optimally from growth opportunities.
Due to attractive job possibilities for the employees affected in
Sindelfingen and the decision to produce the next generation of the E-Class and
the S-Class in Sindelfingen, it will be possible to do without layoffs for
operating reasons at the Sindelfingen plant until December 31, 2019. At the same
time, the Board of Management and the Labor Council affirm their commitment to
continuously improving the plant's competitiveness and efficiency.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and
Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "With the decision on our new plant for compact cars
in Hungary, the reorganization of C-Class production as of 2014, and the
production commitment for the E-Class and the S-Class, we have set the course
for the future of our key models. This long-term strategic planning will give us
additional growth opportunities and will make a significant contribution towards
improving our competitiveness." Zetsche added: "This is the best way to protect
jobs in Germany over the long term."
As part of the "Sifi 2020" personnel concept, the Board of Management and the
Labor Council have also specified the details of alternative job opportunities
for the employees affected by the discontinuation of C-Class production in 2014.
As previously announced, the assembly of the SL premium roadster will be
transferred from Bremen to Sindelfingen. This will already offset a large part
of the job reduction.
Approximately 2,000 attractive new jobs
As the result of various additional actions, approximately 2,000 attractive
new jobs will be defined, reflecting the employees' differing qualifications.
Among other measures to be taken, Daimler will increase the depth of production
in Sindelfingen, bring new technologies to the plant, and create jobs in
research and development.
The actions decided upon also include additional assembly work with the
integration of hybrid drives into vehicles and the construction of test
vehicles, as well as an increased number of employees in the tooling shop for
the production of machine tools. With regard to new technologies for example,
Daimler will concentrate its activities in the area of lightweight technology at
the Sindelfingen plant.
In order to ensure that the plant steadily improves its efficiency and makes
the adjustments required to remain competitive also during the period of the
agreement, Daimler will continue to make use of natural staff fluctuation and
also of voluntary instruments such as early retirement and preretirement
part-time work.

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