Overview
- Swarovski confirmed plans to reduce about 400 roles at its founding site in Wattens by early 2026, affecting both office and production staff.
- Operational changes include scrapping the third (night) shift, seeking voluntary 10–15% hour reductions through December 12, and offering two to seven months of pay as severance.
- The company will contribute €11,000 per affected person to a training fund financed internally without public money.
- Executives cite cost pressures and a luxury-market slump, particularly in China, with 42% of Wattens output supplying other jewelry makers now facing weak demand.
- Unions and regional officials denounced the move and pressed for broader social measures as industry groups note more than 2,500 Tyrolean industrial jobs lost since 2023 and workers voice fears over the site’s production future.