GORINCHEM, 27 October – Damen Shipyards Group is taking the next step in implementing its strategy. The company intends to make its organisation simpler and more efficient. This will have consequences for employees in the Netherlands.
Across various Damen companies in the Netherlands, Damen intends to reduce the number of positions by approximately 225 out of a total of 4,000 over the next 12 to 18 months. Damen expects that a significant proportion of this reduction can be achieved through natural job attrition. However, compulsory redundancies cannot be ruled out.
Damen has invited the trade unions to enter into discussions on a social plan. The aim is to support employees affected by the restructuring as carefully and respectfully as possible. The relevant employee participation and consultation procedures will be followed with due care. The works councils were informed of the proposed changes today.
In recent years, Damen has strengthened its organisation. The company has sharpened its market approach, improved risk management and further optimised collaboration across the organisation. This has created a stronger foundation and delivered better, more predictable results. Building on this foundation, Damen will continue to invest in its people and in technology, including IT, digitalisation and AI.
The environment in which Damen operates continues to change. Markets are highly competitive, while geopolitical developments affect customers, suppliers and the supply chain. This next step in Damen's strategy is intended to ensure that the company remains healthy, competitive and future-ready over the long term.
Arnout Damen, CEO of Damen Shipyards Group, said: "This is a difficult message, especially given how hard our colleagues have worked in recent years to build a stronger Damen. It is precisely from this stronger foundation that we also need to look ahead. We are not changing course. This is the next step in implementing our strategy: building a stronger and more efficient Damen that can continue to invest, compete and respond to the needs of our customers. Knowledge, expertise and entrepreneurship will remain the foundation of Damen."
