Daikin relocates heat pump production, jobs from Germany to the Czech Republic
Daikin is relocating up to more than half of its jobs from GĂĽglingen in Swabia to the Czech Republic. This is also due to the local heat pump policy.
(Image: Shutterstock/JHVEPhoto)
At least 200 people will lose their jobs in Güglingen in Baden-Württemberg –, Daikin, one of the world's leading heat pump manufacturers, has now announced. This affects the production of hydroboxes and hydrokits at the local plant, which is to be relocated to Brno in the Czech Republic. Hydroboxes and hydrokits are important components in air-to-water heat pump systems. According to Daikin, more than half of the Güglingen workforce may be impacted.
The relocation is part of a production optimization for heat pumps for residential buildings within the Daikin Europe Group, according to the company. The restructuring will be carried out in close consultation with the works council and IG Metall. The relocation of the production lines is to take place gradually until the end of June 2026.
"Fluctuating and uncertain political support"
Martin Krutz, Managing Director of Daikin Manufacturing Germany GmbH, explains: "The demand for climate-friendly heat pump heating systems remains weak, which is partly due to the fluctuating and uncertain political support in the EU countries." However, heat pumps are essential for achieving CO2 neutrality in Europe. "With this restructuring, we aim to increase the Daikin Group's productivity and promote the wider introduction of affordable products. We regret the impact of this measure on the GĂĽglingen site, but the plan has been made with a view to optimizing manufacturing across Europe," he emphasized.
Videos by heise
Daikin Manufacturing Germany GmbH, based in GĂĽglingen, is a sister company of Daikin Airconditioning Germany GmbH, based in Unterhaching. The latter GmbH is responsible for sales and customer service in Germany and, according to the company, is not affected by the restructuring and the associated job cuts.
The Daikin plant in GĂĽglingen emerged from the local heating manufacturer Rotex, which had been part of the Daikin Group since 2008 and had also been operating under the Daikin name since 2020. Rotex had a great deal of experience and expertise in its field, having been founded in 1973 and producing heating components from 1978.
(nen)
