“We regret very much having to close MDF Hallein GmbH & Co KG,” declares Hans Binder, owner and managing director of the Binderholz Group. “In recent years, the Binderholz Group as well as the managing directors and employees of MDF Hallein have done everything in their power to prevent the factory closure. In the end, however, the financial pressure in the timber materials industry was far too great and the competition from low-cost manufacturers was too strong. Most importantly, however, there is currently no sign of any future change in the highly tense market situation regarding MDF boards. As owners with a responsibility, the orderly shutting down of the plant is the only option we have to prevent more severe consequences for employees, customers and suppliers.”
MDF Hallein was founded by the Binderholz Group – headquartered in Fuegen, Tyrol – in 1999. The company ran into difficulties as a result of the global economic crisis and its consequences. Above all, MDF Hallein has had to contend with very high prices for industrial wood and chip wood. The prices of raw materials are at an all-time high, and continue to rise.
These price increases could not be adequately applied on the market, because of a massive overcapacity. Furthermore, there is an increasing migration of the furniture and flooring industry from Western Europe to Eastern Europe and the Far East – which has caused major clients of MDF Hallein to disappear.
Restructuring measures have already been implemented by the Binderholz Group and the financing bank in recent years. Despite these tremendous efforts, the company was not able to achieve a turnaround due to the continuously adverse economic climate.
“As an enterprise with a long history, Binderholz is aware of its social responsibility,” points out Hans Binder. “We are in the process of putting together a comprehensive package of social measures, and will take all necessary precautions to ensure the orderly closure of the MDF plant and to minimise the impact on the staff.”
111 employees will be affected by the factory closure. Binderholz will – as far as possible – provide these with other work within the group. Where this is not the case, Binderholz will provide assistance in finding other jobs in the region.
The Binderholz Group was founded in the 1950s by Franz Binder senior. As a full-service supplier, Binderholz produces well- thought-out solutions from solid wood.
