In Evergem, near Ghent, a Rogers materials technology company branch is facing restructuring. The announcement from the company has put around 110 jobs at risk, affecting 69 workers and 41 employees. This marks the third reorganization at the Evergem branch since 2020 and was initiated under the Renault Act.
Trade union ACV-Metea has confirmed this information and expressed concern over the impact on employees. Thomas Beeckmans, a trade unionist from ACV-Metea, highlighted that despite the presence of 40 remaining white-collar jobs, there are fears about the future of the Evergem branch. Management asserts that there is a future for the site but employees fear a scenario in which only support services remain. The intention to eliminate all blue-collar jobs on the site has raised concerns about its long-term viability.
Rogers has announced plans to enhance operational efficiency and margins by phasing out activities in Evergem by the middle of next year and relocating them to other Rogers sites in China and the United States. Beeckmans emphasized that he believes this decision is driven by profit maximization rather than financial distress. Despite this, he stressed that significant investments have been made in recent years at the Evergem site, making it crucial for its future trajectory.
