- Things aren’t going well at the Swiss bicycle manufacturer Flyer: That’s why the company has to make massive savings.
- The bicycle manufacturer has now informed employees about a possible mass layoff.
- 80 of over 300 jobs are at risk.
The e-bike industry has experienced an unparalleled boom in recent years. Now the high is over, at least for the electric bike manufacturer Flyer from Huttwil (BE). Flyer employees were notified last week of a possible mass layoff.
“We may have to lay off around 80 employees,” says a letter available to the “Berner Zeitung”. A Flyer spokeswoman confirmed this at the request of SRF.
Sales halved within two years
Why is Flyer facing headwinds despite the e-bike boom in Switzerland?
Corona initially led to higher demand for e-bikes, but the upswing leveled off again. “We are talking about halving sales and orders within two years,” the “Berner Zeitung” continues to quote from the letter.
Legend:
The boom is over: dark clouds have gathered over the Flyer factory in Huttwil BE.
Keystone/Gaetan Bally
However, the pandemic also had a negative impact on business because factories were closed and production was restricted. This resulted in delivery delays lasting months. In addition, increased energy prices and inflation put pressure on finances.
The mass layoff is not yet a done deal. The consultation process was initiated when the letter was sent. Employees should be given the opportunity to develop alternatives to job cuts. Flyer wants to give them two weeks to do this.