ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks has announced the start of a formal information and consultation process with employee representatives, regarding the future of its operations in Ghent, Belgium.

A review of the business has shown that ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks Gent faces a number of serious challenges to its business, with a major drop in volumes and significantly reduced margins resulting in accumulated losses over several years. As a result, closure of the site is under consideration. An information and consultation period with all employee representatives will start, to discuss the possibility of closure. 

Speaking about the announcement, Sibel Onen, CEO of ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks, said: “This is a difficult period for the employees of ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks Gent. We are committed to working closely with our employees and stakeholders throughout this information and consultation process and will maintain open and transparent communication every step of the way.”

ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks is directly affected by the shrinking of Europe's automotive manufacturing sector, in line with all major steel manufacturers in Europe. While ArcelorMittal remains the leading supplier of tailored blanks in Europe and is fully committed to serving its customers in the automotive sector, there are a number of challenges that the business must address in order to forge a sustainable, long-term future.

Until the information and consultation process with employee representatives is concluded, ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks will not comment in detail on the process.

About ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks

The automotive industry faces two major challenges today: emission reduction and improvement of safety standards. Reducing vehicle weight by using lighter solutions is an obvious way to cut emissions, but steel offers unbeatable crash protection. ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks answers both these demands with innovative solutions. ArcelorMittal's Tailored Blanks division is a world leader in laser-welded blanks with design and production facilities in most part of the world.