Smoby and French toy manufacturing job cuts, Digi Mart USA News (Lavans-lès-Saint-Claude, Jura, France): Toy maker Smoby, known for its “made in France” positioning, plans a social plan that would result in a net reduction of 13 positions out of 300 and the closure of its sites in Lavans-lès-Saint-Claude (Jura) and Massy (Essonne).
In a statement dated November 6 and sent Monday to AFP, the company, which is owned by German group Simba Dickie, acknowledged that its revenue has “clearly declined” in recent years. It attributed the difficulties to falling birth rates, the growth of second-hand markets, and intensifying competition alongside rising production and distribution costs.
According to Smoby, the social plan aims to “adapt costs and organization, improve operational and commercial efficiency, and concentrate resources on the activities that will allow Smoby to return to growth.” The plan includes both job creations and eliminations, whose number was not specified, but the group said its headcount would fall from 300 to 287, a net loss of 13 jobs.
The company said its priority is to keep manufacturing in France and in the Jura, where about three-quarters of its production currently originates. Its headquarters, currently in Lavans-lès-Saint-Claude, will move to Arinthod, about 30 kilometers away.
Management said employees at the Lavans-lès-Saint-Claude and Massy sites could be offered positions at the Moirans, Arinthod and Saint-Maurice-de-Beynost (Ain) sites, depending on their roles. The company must still negotiate the terms of the social plan with unions.
