Zimmer Biomet to cut up to 580 jobs in Winterthur

Zimmer Biomet, one of the world's largest companies in the orthopaedic medical device sector and based in the United States, is planning a drastic reduction in staff at its plant in Winterthur, in the canton of Zurich. Up to 580 of the 730 current jobs could be cut.

The company justifies the move by the need to simplify the group's production and distribution network, in order to increase efficiency and ensure the long-term success of the business. A consultation process has been launched with employee representatives, during which alternatives will be examined to limit the job losses and mitigate the impact on staff.

The Winterthur site has belonged to Zimmer Biomet since 2003, when the American group acquired Centerpulse, itself descended from Sulzer Medica, the medical technology division of the industrial group Sulzer. The site is known for producing joint replacement implants for the knee and hip.

"Workers should not pay for shareholders"

The Unia union reacted sharply to the announcement. According to the organisation, it is not acceptable for staff in Winterthur to pay the price for the enrichment of anonymous shareholders of a multinational group.

Unia points out that most of the production would be relocated to countries with lower costs, while a core of the business large enough to allow Zimmer Biomet to keep selling its products as "Swiss Made" on world markets should remain in Winterthur.

The union is taking part in the ongoing consultation and is calling for commitment not only from local management but also from the authorities of Winterthur and the canton of Zurich, in order to try to save as many jobs as possible. According to Unia's Serge Gnos, it is not possible to simply stand by while industrial production in the canton falls into crisis.

It remains to be seen what job guarantees can be secured during the consultation, and what role public authorities in Winterthur and Zurich could play in supporting industrial employment, as called for by the union.