Metal and Machinery
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- Automation and integration of production processes in shipbuilding
The report investigates how the competitiveness of the European shipbuilding industry could be increased with a new organisation of production, in particular rationalisation as well as horizontal and vertical integration, and with new production technologies, especially automation. It also attempts at making short- as well as long-term suggestions.
- Biocides work area
The Biocides work area is part of the European Chemical Bureau. Its main objective is to provide scientific and technical guidance to concerned authorities for the implementation of the Biocides Directive (98/8/EC) and of the review programme. Household-, industrial- and institutional disinfectants and household insecticides fall - among many others - into the biocidal products category.
- Company restructuring: Ericsson Microwave Systems
In 2003, Ericsson Microwave Systems faced the situation of a predicted sharp decline in activity in the period ahead. The company’s business model was based on the development and manufacture of sensors, services and information network solutions for the Swedish National Defence, alongside its selling of proven products and services to the export market. The first activity was strongly linked to national defence expenditure, which was expected to decline steeply in 2004-2005. The Ericsson Microwave Systems’ division had the challenge of reducing its employee numbers by 25%, which meant cutting 500 of the 2,000 jobs that existed in 2003. This case study analyses how, in 2003-2004, Ericsson Microwave Systems created and implemented a ‘competence shift process’, which aimed to reduce the total headcount of the division by almost 25%, without using traditional large-scale lay-off methods.
- Company restructuring: The Danish Steel Works
Iron and steel production belong to the traditional industries in Denmark, although this industry has not been a dominant player in the European market. Nonetheless, changes in the sector at European level over the last 20 years have negatively impacted on the industry in Denmark and contributed to the poor economic situation of the Danish Steel Works at the beginning of this decade. In June 2002, it became evident that the company would have to cease operations. This case study documents the context and details of the closure of the Steel Works, including actions taken at local and national level, and presents the restructured enterprise, DanSteel, that subsequently emerged.
- Company restructuring: The Danish Steel Works
Iron and steel production belong to the traditional industries in Denmark, although this industry has not been a dominant player in the European market. Nonetheless, changes in the sector at European level over the last 20 years have negatively impacted on the industry in Denmark and contributed to the poor economic situation of the Danish Steel Works at the beginning of this decade. In June 2002, it became evident that the company would have to cease operations. This case study documents the context and details of the closure of the Steel Works, including actions taken at local and national level, and presents the restructured enterprise, DanSteel, that subsequently emerged.
- Corporate social responsibility in France, Germany, Hungary and the United Kingdom
These 12 case studies look at how European companies are developing models of best practice in the field of working and employment conditions and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The companies selected are from four countries - France, Germany, Hungary and the United Kingdom - and cover sectors as diverse as the automotive, chemical, financial services, post and telecommunications, petrochemical and steel sectors. Restructuring and subcontracting were two specific issues highlighted in all case studies.
- Defence industry - visions of the future
This article builds on the discussion in the first article on the trends and drivers likely to shape the future of the sector and the challenges it faces since the end of the Cold War. In particular, it looks at developments in the industry, such as the increasing internationalisation of production, the growing importance of IT companies within the defence sector, and the privatisation of services that were once provided by the military. The article also explores three alternative scenarios for the defence industry illustrating the decisions that need to be made, as well as the implications of these.
- Defence - challenges for the future
This third and final article in the Sector Futures series on the European defence industry sector looks at the major policy issues and challenges facing the sector. It tries to tease out some of the main factors likely to shape the industry, looking at challenges in the area of strategy and security, governance, and technology and industrial restructuring. As the article suggests some possible futures, it is more speculative than the preceding two articles.
- EMCC dossier on the crisis in the steel sector
On 13 February 2003 the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on the crisis in the steel sector and the measures to be taken at Community level. This was against the background of Arcelor's announcement of restructuring plans throughout the group's continental sites. The Parliament calls on the Commission and EU Member States to promote innovation in this sector and to develop new actions aimed at specialisation as well as quality. This EMCC dossier outlines the background to the EP resolution through a series of links providing a wide range of information on the crisis, its developments, as well as some case studies of the sector.
- European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries
Based in Brussels, Belgium, and established in 1976, the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries (Eurofer) represents European steel companies and national federations that account for almost entire steel production at EU15 level. Besides representing the common interests of its members in the dialogue with European and international institutions, Eurofer produces publications, position papers and statistics on steel.
- Future of Europe's aerospace industry
This document is a conference report on the future of the European aerospace industry, which was organised by the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) in May 2003. The conference dealt with current challenges, such as restructuring, and with the future prospects for the European aerospace industry.
- How to succeed as an SME in the internal market: Innovation strategies for cross-border business
In a seminar organised for members of its company network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions discussed the challenges faced by SMEs when operating across European borders and the role that innovation can play in facilitating this process. The seminar was held in Berlin over 28-29 June 2006, and was organised by the European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC) in cooperation with the Confederation of German Employer Organisations(Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände, BDA); it also had the institutional support of the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME). Four small and mediums-sized enterprises (SMEs) - Flemming & Pehrsson GmbH (Germany), Somati ( Belgium), Novol ( Poland) and Teltronic (Spain ) - presented their experiences of innovation and internationalisation, on the basis of which participants discussed the issues and challenges that European SMEs are facing.
- Inclusion of ageing workers: Four company case examples
The European population is ageing. Measures to reduce the burden of work should be able both to help prevent premature wear and tear on employees who are still young, and to make work easier for older workers. The four company case examples have addressed these issues by rethinking work organisation, adapting working time schedules, training and recruiting older employees. The companies operate in different sectors - electrical, financial services, health and steel - in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
- Managing large-scale restructuring: The cases of Danone-Saiwa and Moulinex
Under pressure from economic and financial globalisation, French-based food group, Danone, and electrical household appliance manufacturer, Moulinex, announced large-scale restructuring in 2001. Danone decided to rationalise its European biscuit production facilities which led to the closure of the Saiwa factory in Locate Triulzi, Italy, while Moulinex filed for bankruptcy following an unsuccessful company recovery plan. The two case studies explore the decision-making process accompanying the restructuring, outline the positive aspects and highlight the initiatives underway for economic redevelopment of the regions concerned.
- Managing restructuring report
This policy paper by the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) analyses the restructuring process of the European metal and machinery industries, and makes suggestions on how to manage it in a socially acceptable manner. It calls for an active involvement of workers and their trade unions in all phases of the process.
- Negotiating for the future: Employment and change in the European metalworking industry
This is a resolution adopted in 2003 by the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF). It sets out how unions in the metalworking and electrical industries evaluate, and intend to deal with, the enlargement of the European Union, the strategy of the Federation lying in the expansion of the European Social Model.
- Partnership-based approaches to learning in the context of restructuring - case studies from the European steel and metal sectors
This paper describes the concept of ‘learning partnerships’ aimed at increasing workers’ skills in the European steel and metal sectors. Recent years have seen a considerable increase in the number of these partnerships as a consequence of restructuring in the European steel and metal industry. This, in turn, resulted in increasing requirements for employee skills. The article is based on research conducted in seven European countries.
- Progressive initiatives to combat harassment: Three case examples
There is increasing concern over the growing problem of violence and harassment in the workplace throughout the European Union. The three case examples have introduced policies addressing the issue by focusing on the management of diversity, response programmes, and treatment and rehabilitation. They operate in three different sectors - bicycle manufacturing, education and health - in different EU Member States: the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden respectively.
- Restructuring of large companies in Slovakia
This study investigates how and why the majority of large Slovak companies successfully restructured without the help of foreign investors or a government restructuring programme, despite the fact that many of these companies were initially classified as 'non-viable loss makers'. The study is based on 21 case studies of large Slovak companies.
- Sector Futures: Defence industry
- Shipbuilding and ship repair sectors in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia
This study, published around 2000, assesses the effects of European Union accession for five of the then acceding countries (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia) and evaluates the present and future competitive advantage of the shipbuilding and ship repair industries in these countries.
- Structural changes in the German metalworking and electrical industries
This study assesses the profound structural changes affecting work in the German metalworking and electrical industries and examines the ways in which employers and employees have responded to them. The study is based on a representative survey. The website provides a brief summary of the study (in German), the full study being available through the ‘Gesamtmetall’ public relations department free of charge.
- TEMA database
TEMA is a bibliographic database with information on German and international publications relating to the areas of technology and management. It represents a significant data source for German industry and engineering sciences worldwide. It contains over one million documents covering seven fields, with information on technology, innovations, new products and processes and the development of companies.
- The defence industry sector - what future?
Sector Futures provides specialised reports based on the monitoring of existing foresight studies, scenario work, innovation studies and reliable data sources. June 2006 features the complete Sector Futures article series on the defence industry sector. The first article sets out to define the sector, outlining its market size, structure and employment figures, and looks at the trends and drivers shaping the sector. Subsequent articles assess these factors and review some scenario work relating to the sector’s future, before concluding with an analysis of major policy issues and challenges currently facing the defence industry in the EU.
- The impact of best available techniques (BAT) on the competitiveness of European industry
The Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive requires Member States to issue operating permits based on the availability of certain best available techniques (BAT). This paper by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) discusses the effects of BAT on three industries by comparing the competitive situation of plants that have adopted the BAT required for the industry with those that have not.
- The role of competence and qualification development in fostering workforce mobility
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions discussed the role of competence and qualification development in fostering workforce mobility. The seminar was held in Thessaloniki on 9-10 November 2006, and was organised by the European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC) in cooperation with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP). The introductory presentations summarised the policy context and the results of recent research on mobility in Europe. The second part of the seminar highlighted initiatives undertaken at European and national level aimed at promoting the transparency and recognitions of qualifications of employees. The final session discussed the implications of these policy objectives for employers and employees. Four companies – Electricité de France Group (France), the Bank of Cyprus (Cyprus), Telefónica S.A (Spain) and Neorion Syros Shipyards (Greece) – presented their approach to the competence development and mobility of their employees.
- The workplace of the future - managing the challenge of an ageing workforce
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored policies and practices associated with managing an ageing workforce. The seminar ‘The workplace of the future - managing the challenge of an ageing workforce’ was held in Vienna, Austria, on 4-5 March 2004. Three companies from Austria, France and Germany, representing different sectors (steel, electronics, financial services), and the Finnish Ministry of Labour presented their approach and policies to an audience of 60 participants coming from 12 EU Member States.
- Workplace innovation - fostering productivity and quality of work
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored sustainable strategies related to the implementation of new forms of work organisation. The seminar ‘Workplace innovation - fostering productivity and quality of work’ was held in Bologna, Italy, on 27-28 June 2005. Four companies - Volvo Cars Ghent (Belgium), HERA (Italy), the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration (the Netherlands) and Grundfos (Denmark) - presented their company strategies and assessed the experiences they had made in terms of workplace innovations. In an active and lively debate, 48 participants from 15 EU Member States discussed the conditions, impact, limitations and policy implications of changing work systems.
EMCC is a project of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Page last updated: 12 October, 2010