Shoe manufacturer Paul Green closes factory in Mattsee – 120 jobs at risk!

Shoe manufacturer Paul Green closes factory in Mattsee – 120 jobs at risk!

The renowned shoe manufacturer Paul Green announces the closure of its production facility in Mattsee. This decision, which affects 120 employees, not only creates uncertainty among employees, but also has far-reaching social consequences. Women with decades of professional experience in particular are faced with the challenge of reorienting themselves in the labor market.

The PRO-GE union expresses vehement criticism of this decision. “The closure is a serious blow for the employees,” explains Daniel Mühlberger, the union’s state manager. The decision was made without involving the works council, which further hardens the fronts. Daniela Wiermeier, trade unionist at PRO-GE, describes the reasons given for the closure - high production costs and difficult economic conditions - as pretextual and calls on the company to develop fair and social solutions.

Economic challenges

The background to this decision lies in the current economic conditions. Loud Salzburg24 Paul Green sees himself under pressure from stagnating consumption and US tariffs, which means that continuing production in Mattsee no longer seems viable. Most of the production is to be outsourced to Prelog in Croatia, as well as announced investments in the Mattsee location itself.

The decision does not come as a surprise, but it still causes great concern. The shoe and leather industry is generally under strong pressure Structural change. The pressure from international competition and high import numbers has led many companies to relocate production abroad or change their focus on trade. Paul Green also recorded a profit of 59 million euros in the last five years, which further fuels the waves of criticism.

The fate of the employees

The union is particularly concerned about the age structure of the affected employees: many of the employees are over 50 years old, which could make it difficult for them to find new jobs. At a works meeting, the workforce unanimously commissioned the union to put together a package of measures to provide support.

The future for the workforce and the entire industry remains uncertain. The developments at Paul Green are symptomatic of an industry that is currently undergoing profound change. A sustainable human resources policy and the promotion of skilled workers are essential in order to meet the challenges of the future.

In the coming weeks, the company plans to talk to employees, the works council and local authorities to find ways out of the crisis. A socially acceptable solution remains the main goal.