(Reuters) -Difficult economic conditions and persistently weak demand for many products have forced companies across Europe to freeze hiring or cut jobs.
Here are some of the layoffs announced since the beginning of 2025:
CAR AND CAR PARTS MAKERS
* CONTINENTAL: The German tyre maker’s automotive branch decided on February 18 to cut 3,000 jobs in its research and development segment by the end of 2026.
* RENAULT: The French carmaker said on March 11 it would cut 300 jobs at its van factory in Sandouville in northern France in response to slowing demand for commercial vehicles in Europe in the face of growing economic uncertainty.
* VOLKSWAGEN: The German carmaker plans to lay off 1,600 staff, accounting for almost 30% of the workforce at its Cariad software unit by the end of 2025, Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper reported on March 11, citing company sources.
INDUSTRIALS AND ENGINEERING
* THYSSENKRUPP: The German conglomerate plans to cut around 1,800 jobs due to the prolonged weakness in the car sector it supplies, it said on March 6.
* UPM: The Finnish forestry company said on March 11 it would permanently close a paper mill in Germany and implement cost-cutting measures that will impact 462 jobs, citing a changing market and overcapacity.
RETAIL AND CONSUMER GOODS
* TESCO: Britain’s biggest supermarket group plans to cut about 400 jobs from stores and its head office, seeking efficiency savings so it can invest in the business, it said on January 29.
* SAINSBURY’S: The British supermarket group proposed on January 23 to reduce its headcount by over 3,000 roles as it seeks savings to counter a “particularly challenging cost environment”.
OTHERS
* AKZONOBEL: The Dutch paints maker expects to cut around 2,200 jobs and to close at least five more sites in 2025 as part of its restructuring efforts, it said on January 29.
* ARKEMA: The French speciality chemicals group plans to cut 154 positions at its Jarrie site in France after deciding to halt some of its production there, it said on January 21.
* BIONTECH: The German COVID-19 vaccine maker said on March 10 it plans to cut between 950 and 1,350 full-time positions by 2027 including at its late-stage mRNA manufacturing site in Marburg, Germany and at research operations in Europe and North America.
* BP: The British oil and gas company will cut around 4,700 staff, over 5% of its total workforce, as part of CEO Murray Auchincloss’ efforts to reduce costs, it said on January 16.
* COMMERZBANK: The German bank said on February 13 it would cut 3,900 mostly local jobs by 2028.
* DHL: The German logistics group announced on March 6 plans to cut about 8,000 jobs in Germany to save more than 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion).
* NESTE: The Finnish oil refiner and biofuel maker will cut around 600 positions, it said on February 13.
* TELE2: The Swedish telecoms group said on January 29 it plans to cut more than 600 jobs in 2025 as it seeks to reduce costs and boost profitability.
Source: Regulatory filings, Reuters articles and company websites
($1 = 0.9152 euros)
(Compiled by Agata Rybska, Boleslaw Lasocki, Bernadette Hogg in Gdansk; Edited by Shounak Dasgupta, Milla Nissi, David Evans and Susan Fenton)
