Rodenstock relocates lens production from Germany to the Czech Republic

Rodenstock announced the relocation of the production site from Germany to the Czech Republic, leading to job cuts at the German site. The plan is part of a major reorganization of the site in Regen (Germany) as part of a comprehensive strategic transformation process. Among other things, the aim is to strengthen future competitiveness.

“The production structure at the Regen site is to be adapted in the coming months with a view to maintaining strong innovative power and high service quality. The plant will continue to operate as a pure engineering center. It will continue to be involved in all phases of the production development process and play a key role in the areas of research & development, technology transfer and process implementation.” The Engineering Center should “provide even greater support to the international plants, decoupled from production”, announced Rodenstock.

Lens production moves to the Czech Republic

The concentration of the Regen plant on the Engineering Center is linked to a reorganization of the existing work areas. Most of Rodenstock’s ophthalmic lens production will be relocated to the Klattau site in the Czech Republic. The changes are justified against the background of changing market conditions. The aim is to remain competitive in the long term.

Almost half of the jobs in Germany will be cut

Of the current workforce of around 500, approximately 260 employees will remain at the Regen site once the reorganization of the site and the changes to business operations have been completed. An unspecified “comprehensive package of measures” will offer active support and advice to the employees affected.

COO Roland Dimbath says: “With the reorganization of our production structure and the continuation of the Regen site as a pure engineering center, we are sustainably improving the profitability and innovative strength of the Rodenstock Group and continuing to maintain our competitiveness in the global ophthalmic optics market.”

André Goller, Plant Manager Regen, adds: “The upcoming transformation of our site from a production facility to an engineering center will be a challenging process for everyone involved. However, we are convinced that the new role of the Regen site and the associated tasks are the best way to position the site for the future.”