In light of the ongoing burdensome US tariffs as well as high energy and labor costs, the steel company voestalpine is cutting jobs in Styria.

Specifically, the company is reducing a total of 340 jobs at the Kindberg and Mürzzuschlag locations – 280 permanent positions and about 60 temporary positions, as CEO Herbert Eibensteiner announced on Wednesday during the presentation of the half-year results.

voestalpine: Mürzzuschlag Location Secured

“This means for voestalpine Bleche in Mürzzuschlag that the location will remain, but we are focusing on special products and can secure three-quarters of the jobs,” said the CEO. At the voestalpine Böhler Bleche plant in Mürzzuschlag, around 450 people were recently employed.At voestalpine Tubulars in kindberg, around 1,150 employees are currently working. “In Kindberg, we will reduce operations from three to two shifts starting in January,” announced Eibensteiner. According to the facts, around 160 employees and about 60 temporary workers are affected by the job cuts. Seamless steel tubes for industries ranging from automotive to oil and gas are produced at this location.

In the coming weeks, a social plan will be developed in close cooperation with the works council. “Where possible and where there is a need for personnel,we will offer employees the opportunity to work at other locations,” added the CEO,also referring to the steel foundation established decades ago. This is intended to support job searches and help with the advancement of personal and professional qualifications.

Voestalpine Plans Workforce Cuts,Focuses on Styria

Voestalpine is making personnel adjustments across the company. By the end of September, the global workforce had already decreased by 4.1 percent, falling from 51,733 to 49,614 employees (full-time equivalents) compared to the previous year. The CEO stated that while efficiency measures are happening globally, further personnel reductions will be limited. He also highlighted significant challenges at the two Voestalpine locations in Styria.

Voestalpine employs approximately 9,300 people in Styria, and generated a turnover of 5.1 billion euros in the 2024/25 financial year.

At the company’s headquarters in Linz, significant reductions aren’t planned, according to Eibensteiner. Though, he did mention there will be some restrictions on new hiring.