New start for AGC Moustier
AGC Glass in Moustier is going up a production line, but not a new one. These are the machines Site Athus in southern Luxembourg that is transferred to the Basse-Sambre. It was announced a year ago. On one side we stop production, the other one goes back and construct a new tool. Athus was losing money Moustier away from where the glass he used was produced. Tomorrow everything will be manufactured in the Basse-Sambre.
The aim, improve profitability
There will be transportation to carry the flat glass produced in Moustier to Athus where it was processed into laminated glass for the construction market. Then he returned to Moustier for packaging and shipment to the customer. It is a significant saving. With this concentration of means of production on one site AGC tries to resist the crisis that has hit the flat glass sector since 2008. With the result, excess capacity and the closure of production units across Europe. We remember that in Belgium the neighboring sites of Saint-Gobain Sekurit Glass and put the key under the door there two years ago. We also remember that AGC had arrested a closed oven Moustier no in 2012. AGC Glass Europe has also closed a plant in northern France and another in the Netherlands. Today, the group feels happy to have arrived at a better balance between supply and demand. But he dare not bet on the future.
Fewer job creation at Moustier
With the transfer of south Luxembourg activities to the Lower Sambre, 85 Athus operators will lose their jobs. But Moustier, only a small half, about 40 position will be created. Athus workers are obviously a priority. But they live near the Luxembourg border, at least 160 km. There are therefore three executives who have accepted the proposal. Two former employees of Saint-Gobain Auvelais were also hired.
The new laminated glass line should be ready in late June.