Future of ZF Saarbrücken plant urged for by Ulrich Commerçon, demanding unwavering commitment
In the heart of Germany, the ZF plant in Saarbrücken is facing significant challenges amid a company-wide restructuring plan that threatens many jobs across ZF’s operations. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, the workforce at the Saarbrücken plant has remained resilient, with production remaining reliable.
Employees are highly concerned about massive job cuts as part of ZF’s broader restructuring efforts. The company plans to spin off and possibly sell its entire motor division, labeled “Division E,” which could affect up to 30,000 employees in total. Thousands of employees have already taken part in large protests to defend their jobs, with protests at the headquarters in Friedrichshafen drawing around 5,000 workers, and a large demonstration involving over 4,000 people planned at ZF facilities, including Saarbrücken, in late July 2025.
The workforce's concerns are not falling on deaf ears. SPD faction leader Ulrich Commerçon and other local representatives have voiced concern about the future of the company and its employees, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to secure jobs in the region. Commerçon has stated that the crisis at ZF is not a sudden occurrence but the result of strategic misjudgments by the former management. He urges the new board to draw the right conclusions from the past and demonstrate commitment to the future of the employees.
Commerçon supports the approximately 8,500 employees at the ZF plant in Saarbrücken and has sharply criticized ZF’s management regarding the uncertainty surrounding the plant’s future. He emphasizes that there is no good future for ZF without its employees and calls on the new board to address the mistakes of the past and secure the future of industrial value creation in Germany.
The new board of directors is under pressure to address the concerns of ZF employees and secure the future of the Saarbrücken location. They are expected to provide a clear signal for the Saarbrücken location, reflecting their commitment to the ZF employees and the future of the plant. The meeting of the supervisory board of ZF is taking place in Friedrichshafen, where the focus will undoubtedly be on finding a solution that prioritizes the well-being of the ZF employees.
The crisis at ZF is not just a financial issue; it is about the people who have contributed significantly to a successful transformation. Many ZF employees are uncertain about their ability to afford future summer holidays, underscoring the personal sacrifices they have made. Commerçon emphasizes that the employees in Saarbrücken have already made significant concessions, including personal sacrifices, time contracts not being extended, and working under austerity.
As the discussion continues, it is clear that the future of the ZF plant in Saarbrücken is closely linked to the future of its employees. The new board of directors must take action that reflects their commitment to the ZF employees and the future of the Saarbrücken location, ensuring a brighter future for all involved.
- The ongoing restructuring plan at ZF, a company in the automotive industry, poses significant challenges for the Saarbrücken plant, particularly the proposed spin-off and potential sale of Division E, which could affect up to 30,000 employees across its operations.
- Politicians and local representatives, such as SPD faction leader Ulrich Commerçon, have voiced concern about the potential job losses and emphasized the need for sustainable solutions to secure jobs in the region.
- In addition to the financial implications, the crisis at ZF is deeply personal for many employees who are worried about their future financial stability, including affording summer holidays, as they have made significant sacrifices, including time contracts not being extended and working under austerity.
- The new board of directors is under considerable pressure to address the concerns of ZF employees, particularly those at the Saarbrücken plant, and provide a clear commitment to the future of the plant, which is closely tied to the well-being of its employees.
