STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 11, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- (ELUX) Electrolux has decided to discontinue production of vacuum cleaners in Vastervik, Sweden. Production will gradually be transferred to the Electrolux vacuum cleaner factory in Hungary. Production will continue during 2004, and is expected to end in the first quarter of 2005.
In February 2004, Electrolux announced that it was investigating a possible transfer of the vacuum cleaner production in Vastervik to Hungary.
"We have now finalized our investigation of the factory in Vastervik," says Magnus Yngen, head of the Floor Care & Light Appliances business sector. "We have also carefully studied the investigation performed by the employee consultant. Both investigations show that it is not possible to overcome the cost disadvantages of manufacturing vacuum cleaners in Sweden. We will now go forward with the discussions with the unions regarding the conditions for the closure."
The Electrolux vacuum cleaner factory in Vastervik has approximately 500 employees. The closure of the factory will incur a total cost of approximately SEK 200m, the majority of which will be taken as a charge against operating income in the second quarter of 2004. The yearly savings are estimated to be approximately SEK 150m.
Further information: The Electrolux Press Hotline is available at +46 8 657 65 07.
The Electrolux Group is the world's largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use, such as refrigerators, washing machines, cookers, vacuum cleaners, chainsaws, lawn mowers, and garden tractors. Every year, customers in more than 150 countries buy more than 55 million Electrolux Group products for both consumer and professional use sold under famous brands such as AEG, Electrolux, Zanussi, Frigidaire, Eureka and Husqvarna. In 2003, Electrolux had sales of SEK 124 billion and 77,000 employees.
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