The automotive market situation led to the worst possible outcome for Saint-Gobain Ihode plant in Finland. The plant is to be closed by the end of year. 

Saint-Gobain Glass Finland Oy has today announced the company’s decision to close down the operations of the Ihode windshield plant in its entirety by the end of this year.

The solution was reached more or less as expected. Western Finland reported on the start of co-operation negotiations at the end of August.

According to the company, the closure of the plant is due to the “unprecedented contraction of the European car market” associated with the coronavirus and the “changing market trend in the technical requirements for windscreens”. According to Chairman of the Board Stephan Garcia, no other option was found in the negotiations.

The plant will be permanently discontinued by the end of December 2020 and will affect the entire plant personnel, ie a total of 71 people.

Saint-Gobain intends to provide its employees with support for re-employment.

- The company offers a strong re-employment support security package that goes far beyond the requirements of the law and collective agreements. We work closely with the TE Office, local course and training actors and staff. Private entrepreneurship and retraining will also be supported, says Stephan Garcia.

Mr. Mika Eronen, a Finnish Expert in Automotive Glass Production, also felt sad for this news, “We’re one more automotive glass processor poorer in Finland and outlook for rest is dire, where as back in the day Finland was one of top supplier’s of high quality Automotive Glass for OEM’s and ARG markets. Obviously, our country has failed in maintaining this unique industry, know-how and development. It really hurts to see how we’re losing this industry my colleagues, and especially clients have worked hard to maintain. My heart goes for those left unemployed, especially individuals with decades of experience. It is not an easy task to change careers here and moving abroad is not an option for number of reasons.”