At the town hall in Ueckermünde representatives of the state government, the municipality, company management, the IG Metall and the works council discussed the future of the Ueckermünde Iron Foundry . CDU member of the Bundestag Philipp Amthor attended the crisis talks. According to consistent reports, the meeting ended without firm commitments; those involved agreed to resume talks soon.
The trigger was the announcement by the owner, the Basibüyük Group, that production would cease at the end of 2026. Around 290 employees would be affected. In previous statements, company management cited persistent cost pressures and competitive pressures. Employees recently made their protest visible in Ueckermünde with vigils.
After the meeting, the state government arranged an assessment of which measures could be implemented at short notice – from advice and retraining to transfer companies and support permitted under state aid rules. No specific funding commitments were announced. Reports also made no mention of talks with potential investors. The municipality indicated that it was open to alternative uses for the site if production could not be continued.
works council and IG Metall reiterated their call for all business options to safeguard the site to be explored. These include, they said, transparent disclosure of the figures, consideration of energy cost reductions and investment in processes, as well as talks on bridging solutions during periods of weak demand. Company management, however, made no new commitments. No decision has yet been made on the way forward.
The dispute reflects a deeper weakness in Germany’s foundry industry. Suppliers with a heavy reliance on the automotive sector in particular are grappling with fluctuating demand, high energy prices and international price pressure. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania similar cases in recent years have repeatedly led to regional crisis talks. Given the importance of industrial employers, the loss of the Ueckermünde iron foundry would be a significant blow to the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald.
According to sources among the participants, further talks between the state government, company management, IG Metall and the works council are due to follow in the coming days. Whether they will lead to continued production, a sale of the site or transitions cushioned by social support remains uncertain. The situation remains tense for employees; firm commitments and a viable timetable in the coming weeks will be crucial.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).