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Tönnies-Owned Group to Close Eberswalder Plant Next Month, Cutting 500 Jobs

The NGG union says the 2023 takeover structure let the owner avoid a social-plan obligation, leaving workers with minimal severance.

Overview

  • The Britz site near Eberswalde is scheduled to shut at the end of February, ending operations at what was the largest meat and sausage plant in East Germany.
  • The Eberswalder brand will continue, with production moved to other facilities run by the Zur Mühlen/Premium Food Group owned by Clemens Tönnies and family.
  • Departing employees reportedly receive a quarter of a gross monthly salary per year of service, which the union says effectively halves payouts for long-serving staff.
  • NGG alleges the company formed a new entity in 2023 that, under German works-constitution law, removed a four-year obligation to negotiate a social plan and enabled pressure on the works council.
  • Regional agriculture leaders warn the closure removes an important buyer for Brandenburg producers, noting earlier investment pledges were replaced by plans to shut the site citing high capital needs.