The furniture company JE Ekornes, known among other things for its stress relief, had a big upswing during the corona. They produced so much furniture that they struggled to find enough employees. Now the situation has completely reversed. On Tuesday, the employees were told that 80 man-years will be cut at the four factories. – It is dramatic for those who are dismissed. And it is dramatic for Ekornes. It is a sign that we are selling less than before, says trustee Edvard Lie. Must hold discussions with employees Now, he and the trade unions must take part in discussions with the workers who are out of work. After that, it will be to help them get another job. – We still don’t know who has to go, says Lie. There are a total of 1,200 employees at the four factories in Sykkylven and Grodås in Volda. Introduced four-day week Production manager Ola Arne Ramstad at Ekornes says that they have to lay off employees to reduce production capacity. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news Lie says that the employees were aware that the rise could not last. – We knew that the corona effect would not last. But then came the war and the power crisis. Then people don’t prioritize buying furniture, says Lie. Production director Ola Arne Ramstad at Ekornes says that the order intake for the factories is lower than the production capacity and that they unfortunately have to lay off employees. – It is a broken case and it is naturally most broken for those who are affected by this. It is a negative news event, but we have to get through this, says Ramstad. At most, 1,200 stressless armchairs were sold each day. A short time ago, the company introduced a four-day week with a production of 900 chairs per day. The company explains the reason for less demand with inflation, high energy prices, the dry summer in Europe and the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine. Hoping for a new job quickly Odd Jostein Drotninghaug is the mayor of Sykkylven. Photo: Viktoria Hellem-Hansen / news Mayor of Sykkylven, Odd Jostein Drotninghaug (Sp) says it is sad that the company has to lay off employees. He is not surprised that it happened now, since the company has added so many people in the last couple of years. – I hope they get a new job as quickly as possible, so that they get started and don’t have to go and wait. I hope there are other companies that need them, says Drotninghaug. Sykkylven is highly dependent on the furniture industry and is part of a restructuring program to create a wider business community. – Maybe some of those who lose their jobs can think of establishing something too, says Drotninghaug.
ttn-69
Furniture company Ekornes has to lay off 80 employees – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
